We are often asked what families can do to be more successful in online learning. Therefore, we have posted here an introduction of tips focusing around ways to support your student in online learning. Many of the ideas we will share come from the book “The Distance Leaning Playbook for Parents” by Wiseman, Fisher, Frey and Hattie. These authors are currently some of the leading researchers in education and we are excited to share their ideas with you! We welcome you to ask questions and also share success stories of how you have made online successful in your household. Look for more parent and student tips on our Facebook and Parent Square pages.
- Establish Routines
- Create a general consistent weekday schedule for your student to follow for school work, chores, and activities. This could include: wake up time, online school hours, free time, meal times, bed time, etc.
- Check in with your child each morning and discuss their daily schedule
- Include the following in your conversation: whole group Zoom, small group Zoom, daily learning activities on Canvas, office hours if needed, breakfast/lunch/snacks, breaks, other daily activities (e.g. practicing an instrument, organized athletics, dentist appointments, chores, etc.)
- Creating and using a checklist is an easy way for students and families to ensure they are getting everything done that day.
- Create a Learning Environment
- Identify a consistent dedicated workspace
- Keep learning materials and supplies in that workspace
- Establish ground rules for using that space including how others should acting when in that space
- Learn the management system
- Learn how to use Canvas from the student side so you can help your student as needed
- Enroll in Canvas Parent, so you can keep an eye on your students’ daily progress
- Canvas Observer account creation instructions can be found in the text with this flyer.
- Access Canvas daily for student work completion
- Talk to your student about their passwords and ways to keep them safe and secure
- Teach your student how to contact their teacher for help.
- Follow Zoom Etiquette
- Know the teacher’s expectations and support them (e.g. attend daily, cameras on, ready to learn)
- Make sure your child knows the schedule for the live sessions (Whole Group and Skill Based Instruction time)
- Encourage students to use the camera. Show them the option to hide the self-view if that helps alleviate anxiety
- Keep background noise and distractions to a minimum so your child can concentrate and participate. (e.g. barking dogs, vacuums, televisions)
- Review participation and behavior expectations with your student before and after the Zoom session, but allow for some independence during the Zoom. This will allow them to keep their attention on the teacher, and allow the teacher to provide valuable feedback and support.
- Ensure your children sleep
- Sleep impacts student learning
- Add nighttime activities and expectations to your list of routines.
- Create a night time checklist for students to eliminate the struggle.
- Establish appropriate age level bedtimes and stick to them
- Avoid electronic devices (tv, computers/tablets, video games, etc.) one hour before bedtime
- Read with your child nightly before bedtime. This calming activity will give you special time with your child while developing an increased vocabulary and a love for reading
- Monitor screen time
- Schedule in tech breaks to ensure your child does something different than looking at a device
- Use coloring books, public library books, go for a walk around the block to ensure that your student has activities that aren’t related to the screen.
- Be aware of the apps that your child is using. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ provides information to help you make an informed decision on what apps, books, movies/tv are best for your child.
- Technology and Screen Time are not inherently good or bad. Instead of focusing on the amount of minutes a child spends on a device, think about the tasks they are accomplishing with that screen time. Then, make a family based decision on what is best for your child.
- If you are looking for extension activities to support your child’s learning. Ask your child’s teacher. Oftentimes, they will have ideas that may or may not be screen based.
- Communicate with Teachers
- You do not have to be the teacher to ensure that your child is learning. Both parent and child should be able to answer these three questions daily.
- What is my child learning?
- Why are they learning it?
- How will they know they have learned it?
- Student work is provided via the modules in Canvas. Use these modules to help your child create their schedule and routines
- Teach your child to advocate for themselves. If they have questions, help them use the Canvas Inbox to communicate with their teacher
- ParentSquare is the best way to communicate with your child’s teacher. When communicating through ParentSquare teachers will get notifications through their preference of either the app, text, or email.
- If your child is having a hard time understanding, having a bad day, or has a special event coming up, let your teacher know. This will help the teacher provide the special care your child needs.
- Take care of yourself
- Develop a life-work balance
- Create a consistent schedule with routines for you and your family that includes breaks
- Find ways to have meaningful conversations with those around you (inside and outside of your home
- Set ground rules and be consistent with them
- Develop a health plan that focuses on nutrition, exercise, and mental health
