Follow these eight strategies to succeed in your online classes.
Back in March, the COVID-19 pandemic sent students and teachers scurrying for the safety of their homes. Information about the coronavirus scared people into rethinking even the most basic reasons to leave the house. But for K-12 students, school had to go on.
Both teachers and students were thrust into an unknown and uncomfortable teaching and learning environment. Yes, remote classes existed and virtual schools had taught students for years prior to the pandemic. But in March virtually every student and teacher – most with no knowledge or the correct technology to support them – became members of the same virtual school.
For many this was a train wreck!
Teachers were frustrated because they had no training for this instructional delivery method. According to survey conducted by Class Tag, over half of teachers (57%) surveyed felt unprepared. Students were frustrated because their teachers suddenly seemed mortal and were presenting disconnected lessons with frequent technology glitches.
Engage the Brain scoured the Internet searching for answers. What follows are a curated collection of 8 tips to help students succeed in their online classes.
Understand the Platform
Students need to take the time to learn the platform their online classes will use. Whether it is Canvas, Blackboard, or Google Classroom, students need to be familiar with all the features of the system. They should know what to look for and where to find it.
Know how to contact their teacher
Each teacher will have his or her own preferred contact method. Some prefer email while others prefer a text. Learn the correct way to reach the teacher so when questions arise, there is no delay in receiving the desired information.
Asynchronous vs. Synchronous Learning
Now that school is back in session, ensure you know what delivery method the online school is using. Synchronous learning is essentially “live” instruction where a student is logged onto their device and a teacher is presenting lessons in real time. Perhaps other students in the class are logged on to the system at the same time. Asynchronous learning is typically recorded or prepackaged lessons that a student can access at a time of his or her choosing. Once the assignment is completed, uploading it to the system turns it in. Of course some instructional models may use a hybrid model and employ a combination of the two. If you are interested in learning more, here is a great article with more in depth information.
Create an organized workspace
Because a student is at home, it could be more challenging to create an appropriate workspace. What does a good home workspace look like? First, there ought to be a desk or table with a comfortable chair. Do not allow a student to participate in an online class from the couch or their bed in their bedroom. This is still school! Beyond a desk and chair, the space needs plenty of light and all the typical supplies: paper, pens, pencils, and any texts needed for the classes.
Stay organized
Once a good workspace is created, students need to stay organized. This includes the physical workspace itself, any notebooks or binders, and the digital files. As an online student, assignments will be created on the computer and turned in electronically. Very quickly in the school year, a student will amass a large amount of digital files. Create folders for each class and store completed assignments in the correct files.
Create a routine
Whether a student is participating in a synchronous or asynchronous learning environment, it is critical to develop and stick to a routine. This is especially true for online learners with learning differences. Starting the school day at the same time each day can help those learners with procrastination tendencies. Create a schedule that includes brain breaks, lunchtime, and a recess built in. To learn more about routines and students with learning differences, check out this wonderful article in Additude Magazine.
Use a planner, calendars, and alarms
Meeting deadlines and turning in assignments on time can be more challenging for online or virtual students. Use of a planner can help a student record all the assignments along with their due dates. Supplement the planner with technology. Students can set alarms on their smartphones to help remind themselves of long- term assignments. A monthly calendar can be used to help visualize all assignments and personal responsibilities. For example, if a student plays a sport games can be recorded on the monthly calendar.
Reward yourself
Online learning can be isolating for a student. Therefore it is important to celebrate successes and milestones. If a student does well on a test, project, or a research paper, celebrate the accomplishment. Go out for ice cream or allow your student extra video game time. Make it special!
Conclusion
COVID-19 has disrupted the delivery of education and just about every aspect of our lives. Schools have had to innovate in real time. Given all the uncertainties, many parents are opting to home school or utilize virtual school options. Students have had to adapt to new learning methods. Sustained success is attainable. Following these 8 tips will put your student in the best position to succeed in their online learning classes.
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