Online Learning at Home
This is an interesting time for education. The feeling out there is “Every family for themselves!” as parents sign up for brick-and-mortar, digital learning, pods, homeschooling, and all of the creative ways we are inventing to educate our children during a pandemic. If you either plan on - or end up with - children learning at home online, there are ways of easing the difficulties of this new lifestyle.
Find the Space.
Your number one priority is to find a good working space for your child. Just as teachers spend weeks turning their classrooms into comfortable and welcoming environments, you can do that at home, too. Children don’t necessarily need to take over your home office. They do need a few things to make learning online possible, though.
a quiet room with a table and chair
Whether using the dining room or a screened-in porch, make sure that the rest of the family is aware of when the child is in class. Computer microphones are usually “omnidirectional,” meaning they amplify sound from all over the room. If you wander through your child’s learning space while talking on the phone, not only will your child be distracted, the entire class will probably be fascinated by your conversation!
a reliable device
Laptops are great, and so are iPads. Both can work for online learning. If your child is going to be using an iPad, however, look into getting a keyboard attachment, so they don’t have to try and type on the screen. Keyboard cases are available online for $30+. If at all possible, don’t have your child use a cellphone. The screen is so small that it can be very isolating for the student.
pencils, pens, and paper readily available
Teachers keep their pencils at school sharp, and throw away used-up pens. If a child is taking notes, or needs to write down an assignment, they shouldn’t have to fuss and fluster looking for something to write with. That’s a great daily chore for kids - to gather materials for the next day’s lessons and put them in a cup on the table. This also teaches time management and thinking ahead.
textbooks and school papers always at hand
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that your child will need the same supplies for online school as they would in person. It’s a great idea to keep them in a backpack near their work area, so that they can pull out math book, reading book, finished assignments or references when needed. Making a teacher - and an entire class - wait while the family searches the house for textbooks cuts down the amount of time spent learning for everyone. Come prepared - while you stay at home!
Ask for Help.
Teachers would much rather help your child as soon as they have questions, rather than waiting until their students are struggling and in over their heads. We all have to work together to get through this tough time. We know that this is a difficult environment in which to learn. Speak up! Be your child’s advocate. Reach out to a professional if your child needs help with something particularly tricky. While many of my students attend a regular lesson each week, we can work together on an as-needed basis as well.
Work Together.
Even if you are not comfortable gathering physically with others, many hands make light work, even at a distance. Talk to other parents and teachers about what is working for them. Set up an online Zoom homework time with your child and some of their friends, so they are not so isolated. Do your quiet work in a room with your child while they do theirs. Finding ways to be together, even when we can’t be in the same space, will help us get through these challenging times.
-Amy Richter, August 2020
