Contents
This guide provides step-by-step answers to help parents prepare their children for success in online school. It also covers why to choose online learning and what to do if your child can’t adapt.
Online education is a digital form of schooling for students. It offers flexible learning through online platforms with teacher and parents guidance. The parent’s guide helps prepare your student for success in online school.
Why Choose Online School?
Online schools are mainstream.
“The nice thing about online education is that it can actually escape geographical boundaries”
Don Kilburn, U.S. News
These schools are popular for their flexibility and the opportunities they provide. Opportunities include, but aren’t limited to, video tutorials, automated calculations, and exploring educational phenomena not possible in a physical classroom. This also creates a safe learning environment for students with special needs.
Critics see the benefits but argue that students struggle to adjust to virtual classrooms. The virtual classroom needs focus, but students get distracted. Students’ grades drop, leading some to even drop out. Dropouts and setbacks can be avoided if parents and kids prepare for online learning.
3 Steps to Help Parents Prepare for Their Child’s Online Education
“Online education sucks. But it doesn’t have to.”
Quote by Henry May, LinkedIn
Parents follow three steps to prepare for online education challenges.
First, control your emotions and create a positive atmosphere. This atmosphere ensures your child feels safe sharing problems.
Secondly, learn the technology to help your child. Check with the online school on what technology and tools they’ll use. Most online schools use:
- Online resources like Coursera
- Educational apps like Quizlet
- Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Canvas
- Video conferencing tools like Zoom
- Other tools like Microsoft Office 365, Google Drive, and SMART Board for schoolwork and collaboration
Thirdly, get the right tech tools and setup to keep your child’s schoolwork on track. Provide and configure the tech tools, like a reliable computer and stable internet connection. Set up parental controls to minimize distractions, if needed.
6 Tips to Help Your Child Succeed in Online Learning
Once prepared, use these six tips to create the right environment and minimize focus issues with online learning for your child.
Tip 1: Create a Right Space
Create a quiet, organized space with a desk, lighting, and supplies for online learning like notebooks and blue light-blocking glasses. Add posters or other personal touches to make the space inviting for learning. Watch out for overdoing it — too many personal touches can turn the area into a distraction.
Tip 2: Take Breaks
Ensure your child takes breaks. Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) highlights the need to limit screen time for children. They emphasize taking regular breaks to prevent digital eye strain and other health issues. The AAP’s policy statement, “Media and Young Minds,” reviews studies on screen time and offers guidelines to help parents manage their children’s media use effectively.
Follow these guides, your online school’s guidelines or state educational recommendations for break frequency and length. Include physical activity during breaks, but avoid overly playful activities. These activities distract from online learning.
Tip 3: Build Study Habits
Teach your child breaks and study habits, like the Pomodoro Technique. This time management technique divides work into intervals with short breaks. This helps balance study and play, especially for children struggling with time management.
Tip 4: Keep Software Updated
Keep your child’s software up to date. Teach them the importance of software updates, including antivirus programs, operating systems, browsers, and educational apps. Ensure they can handle updates independently over time.
Tip 5: Stay Involved
Attend parent-teacher meetings and school events to stay updated on your child’s progress. Talk to the teacher to address issues your kids might not share with you.
Tip 6: Celebrate Small Wins
Praise your child for their school successes. Research, as outlined in “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success“ by Carol S. Dweck, shows that mindset drives success. Many students struggle with low self-esteem, and their mindset limits their potential. Address this early — praise your kids, reward them with treats, so they know even small achievements matter.
What if online learning isn’t working out?
Understand why your child isn’t enjoying online learning. The problem could be the format, content, lack of social interaction, or specific issues.
Address the issue. Use different resources to fix format and content problems. Try options to find what works best. Talk to the teacher to adjust the approach. Consider requesting a different teacher if needed.
Consult a psychologist for help with specific issues, such as social interaction or mental health challenges. Support your child at every step to overcome challenges.
Enroll in Legacy Online School, and your child will succeed. Legacy Online School’s won “The Best Homeschool Curriculum, Products & Resources!“ award. This win shows the school’s strong focus on quality, innovation, and helping students succeed.
Conclusion
Online learning has challenges, but they can be managed. Parents follow three steps to prepare for online education. They follow six tips to help their child. Joint efforts and parental involvement make online education effective and enjoyable.
