by Natalee Ruddock Gorousingh
This school year looks different for many families. Teachers have had to change the way they teach, and students have had to adapt to a new way of learning. Many teachers were thrown into the world of virtual teaching with little to no experience, and many students have had to learn to interact with their teachers and classmates via an electronic device with no physical interaction. No doubt this is challenging times for both. With a level of mutual understanding and respect, virtual learning can be fun and effective.
We understand that virtual learning may not be the best learning option for every child. However, with the current state of affairs, this may be our best option. We can try to ensure our children have a good experience and learn as much as they can.
Here are a few tips to get the best out of virtual learning:
Be on time for virtual classes
Don’t be tardy for the virtual party. Most classes require live online learning to increase engagement and ensure students are receiving some form of face to face interaction. Please ensure your child is on time for these live classes. Showing up late can cause them to miss out on valuable information and it can also be distracting to teachers when students are constantly logging in to classes late.
Create a designated school area
Create a space that is free from distractions. This includes TV, toys and other family members. It can be extremely difficult to learn with the TV playing in the background and other family members talking, laughing or playing. A designated school area promotes structure and will motivate students to stay on task and focus more.
Participate and ask questions
Participation can be difficult when learning online. But virtual learning should be treated with the same significance as in-person learning. Encourage your children to not be afraid to ask questions – if they are unsure of an assignment and need help, speak out. They should also be encouraged to interact with their classmates and ask for feedback from teachers on the work they have done.
Monitor your child’s progress
Monitoring your child’s academic progress is critical to a successful virtual learning experience. It is easy for a child to lose their bearing while learning online. There isn’t that in-person interaction that they are used to. Ensure your child is submitting assignments on time and participating in class. Speak with your child’s teacher frequently to ensure they are making good progress, getting good grades,and if they need additional help.
At TLC Virtual Academy we understand that children learn differently – this is why we have personalized learning plans to meet the needs of each student. We meet with every family we serve to complete an academic assessment to ensure we are providing the best virtual learning experience. We assess each student to determine their academic strengths and identify any gaps in learning that they may have.
If you are interested in learning more about TLC Virtual Academy, please call us at 585-637-0333 or email us at info@tlcvirtualacademy.com