Make the Best of Learning Online

As our country continues to face a pandemic the likes of which none of us has ever experienced, your child may be going to school using online technology.  I don’t want to debate the virtues of online learning versus face to face learning.  I would like to provide guidance for making online learning as successful as possible. The more the online version of school can mimic face to face learning on campus, the better it will be.

First, set the stage.  Every human has a job to do as well as a role in a family.  As parents, your role is that of providers for your family and you have a job(s) to make certain your family is provided for.  Your child’s job is to go to school.  Since teaching and learning now happens in your home when your child learns online, your child may try to involve you in school.  Some teachers may try to involve you as well.  This is not your job.  In addition, you need a break from your child/children.  Do not attend online classes with your child.  Emphasize to your child that their job is to go to school and learn even when school is taking place at home.  Expect them to engage and interact with their teacher just like if they were at school. During an online class if they need something, they should ask their teacher.

Second, develop a routine.  During online learning, your child should have a bedtime just like during school.  He/She should have a consistent wake up time and be expected to dress, comb hair, and brush teeth in order to be ready for school on time just as if she/he is going to a physical campus.  School supplies should be ready.  Even consider having a morning snack and lunch prepared.

Third, consider a place for learning.  Your child’s bedroom may not be the optimal location for online learning.  Consider a location in your home with as few distractions as possible, and I know that this is a challenge especially if you have several children learning online at the same time.  Another idea is a study carrel.  These can be purchased online; however, a box with the top and one side cut out makes the perfect study carrel.  Your child should bring his/her school supplies to his/her learning place and clean up at the end of class just like school.  The table and chair should be ergonomically correct for the size of your child.  Watch for eye discomfort, eye strain, and headaches your child might experience while viewing a screen learning online.  Check the background behind the learning space that is in the camera’s view.  It should be as plain as possible, and you don’t want teachers and classmates to see other rooms in your home.

Fourth, take an outdoor break.  When the teacher gives students a break or between classes, online students should go outside and move.  This helps break the tension and possible eye strain that students may experience learning from a computer.  Movement switches the brain from a left brain function to a right brain one.

Be sure to attend the teacher’s online Back to School Night.  This is a good time to find out the teacher’s point of view toward online learning.  I taught an online summer school course for fourth through sixth grade students this summer.  I liked to see my students as I am able to read their body language which helps me pace my teaching.  It also lets me know if I am holding students’ interest.  One of the hardest things I learned from teaching online is that it was difficult for me to teach students who did not have their cameras on.  Other teachers may be fine with cameras turned off.  Find out how your child’s teacher likes online learning to work.

You may find that the assignments are either too easy or too hard for your child.  Back to School Night should tell you how to best communicate with your child’s teacher.  Communicate with your child’s teacher if the learning isn’t at his/her level.

You may find that there is policy as to when an assignment is going to be posted or even taken down.  Whatever the situation, communicate that to your child’s teacher.  If your teacher tells you that the issue is school or school district policy, then communicate with the principal or school board.  School districts and its staff need to know what works and doesn’t work from your end.

Online learning is difficult for all involved - the student, the parent, and the teacher.  Students learn best in school with their peers and teachers.  With that said, whether or not your school is learning online is out of our control.  The only thing we can do is reduce the stress of online learning until students are back in the classroom on their school’s campus.  Hopefully, these tips help.