Are you and your children new to the online learning community? Change can be a difficult journey, and you may be feeling overwhelmed adjusting to a new world of learning.
However, you and your children are not alone, and you can help them succeed in many ways.
When your children are transitioning from an in-person classroom to an online environment, you will need to consider instruction, materials, technology, and scheduling.
If you are enrolled in Lincoln Empowered through a school district, you can find guidance by:
Feeling confident and prepared as you transition with your children will, in turn, help them feel reassured.
As you engage with online learning, you may be using new devices. Before you dive into the online classroom, take a moment to assess your abilities and your children's abilities and needs.
Ask yourself:
From there, consider what you need to do in order to feel comfortable.
Technology is ever-changing, so don't be afraid to ask for help. Feeling at ease while using technology will make the learning process less disruptive.
When change happens, it can be tricky to set up a schedule that works for you and your family. It is important to take the time to develop a consistent routine. Your school district may provide a schedule to you, or you may need to create one, depending on how online learning is implemented.
If you need to create a schedule, consider the following:
Having a routine and structure is beneficial when your children are learning online. You may choose something similar to an in-person academic setting, or, you may find doing more work at certain times of the day is best. However, routines may change or need to be reworked when life happens, and that's perfectly fine and to be expected.
As a Lincoln Learning teacher, I encourage my students to apply what they have learned to their own environments. Many students use this opportunity to step away from their devices to regroup.
If you notice these behaviors while your child is learning, your child may need a break:
Breaks can range from a few minutes up to a few hours. Some children rejuvenate quickly and prefer to learn in small bursts more often, such as 20 minutes of learning and then a 10-minute break. Others prefer longer periods of learning, followed by extended breaks.
Here are some ideas to help your children decompress and refocus.
Breaks are just as important for active learning and retention.
One very important way to help your children feel like they aren’t alone is by reflecting together. Consider taking time after a difficult or exciting lesson to have a short discussion.
Keep in mind, learning online is—for parents and children alike—a drastic change from a typical classroom setting. Finding your family's groove will require some time, adjusting, and adapting. Know that there are support systems available to help your children transition and learn long-term. This way, you can feel closer to your children, rather than distanced—figuratively speaking.