Schools in the country are back in session for a few weeks already. Thus, it is a good time for parents to analyze how well it is going periodically. You have to keep track of their health, studies, and every other aspect during these trying times. If your child is a part of online learning and going to school within the week, you need to be more proactive in keeping track. Here, we will help you understand the difference between in person learning vs online learning and how to handle both.
The President of Laurel Springs School, Peter Robertson, said that not every child is accustomed to every form of learning. This is a good opportunity to see what form of learning helps which child. Laurel Springs School offers distant learning opportunities and is in business for 30 years now.
Iowa-based teacher, Sarah Brown Wessling, acknowledges how difficult transitions can be for a family. She was the winner of the honorable Teacher of the Year award back in 2010. The teacher explains that this COVID time is not the first when parents had to make transitions. With increasing developments in education facilities and knowledge in terms of science, schools go through alterations often.
Sarah is a mother of three children and spoke both as a teacher as a mother. Throughout the pandemic, she juggles between putting her children in middle and elementary school classes while remotely teaching high school students.
In person learning vs online learning – handling both as parents
There are millions of people like Wessling who needs to cope up with changes in the educational industry. Here are five strategies that can help tackle and understand in person learning vs online learning:
Create a space for learning
It has been several months, and many parents have created a space for their children to study online. Most parents try and provide a place to study for children to come home for school and revise. However, if you haven’t yet done so or space is a temporary solution for you, consider putting a little more effort to create an area where your kids can spend time learning.
We have to consider that many parents work from home right now and might consider doing so. Thus, it is not only about creating a quiet space for children, but also for themselves to retain focus at work. Every house is different and also different in size. Parents have to make the most of the space and help children stay undistracted during their studies.
Creating space doesn’t have to be expensive or block a huge part of the house. Buying extra desks or tables and putting them in a common area can also help. You have to make sure that the child gets enough quietness to concentrate. Once you make up your mind, ask your child to help out and decorate the space to take more interest in the activities there.
Create routines instead of schedules
Initially, parents tried to turn their houses into schools when the pandemic shut down colleges and schools. It was exactly how it would have been if the child was in their school, sticking to a schedule.
On this, Wessling says, that many of the schedules didn’t go for a long time. Creating rigid schedules is not how school days should work. Moreover, at home, it will not be useful all the more. The teacher recommends children to follow a routine instead.
If you are wondering what the difference is between the two – well, it helps your children find the correct drive to learn. For example, elementary classrooms often use songs to make children create a circle and sit. Thus, creating a routine is like a habit that can help your child take an interest in learning.
Indulge in brain breaks
Parents need to remember that seat time isn’t learning time. Children are best when they study for 30 minutes, while younger ones should study in the breaks of 20 minutes. This keeps them engaged and helps them learn better.
One of the major differences that explain in person learning vs online learning is studying time. One cannot replace eight hours at school with eight hours on Zoom. Children can have focus and learn like that – that’s even difficult for adults.
Brain breaks are necessary for children, says Wessling. Such breaks can be doing deep breathing exercises, running in the backyard, taking a stroll, and more.
If children get enough physical activities, their cerebral strength will increase. Parents need to add movements to stimulate learning. Wessling recommends ‘vent’ activities to make sure children take out aggressiveness in a positive way. These reduce their chances of throwing tantrums. Walking to the mailbox or helping out in household chores are easy options.
Break tasks into small pieces
Be it us adults, or kids, we all get overwhelmed nowadays. To keep on going on, it is best to break tasks into smaller units rather than doing them together. Kids get intimidated when they realize they have a lot left to do. Thus, parents need to help them break their tasks into small and engage them for a little span of time. For example, if your child studies one subject for 30 minutes, let him not move onto another immediately. Let him take a break and get back with another.
Keep in touch with teachers
Maintaining open communication with school or tuition teachers helps every child and parent. This is more necessary when kids are studying online and also going to school. In this tandem, teachers also allow parents to monitor progress and detect areas of improvement.
Parents might analyze different patterns of learning in their children when they are at home. They can discuss the same with the teachers and find out if it is good. If not, how can they change it to help the child. Lastly, Wessling said that everyone needs an extra bit of patience and empathy, as the struggle is prevalent for all.