Tips for supporting Online Learning from home

Finding the right balance between offering support and giving your child the room required to get on with their learning independently can be a bit of a challenge. The more they own their learning and learn through their own mistakes, the more meaningful their learning becomes. Doing everything for your child does not allow them the opportunity to learn – giving them support and guiding them to reach their learning goal, however, is valuable.

1. Set up a learning space at home

Setting up a designated workspace is one of the first and most important steps in getting your child ready for learning. Most children thrive when provided with some form of routine or structure to their day.

2. Make sure your child has the necessary equipment and tools to complete their work

Whether its pencil and paper, a stable WiFi connection, a digital device, books or resources - whatever they need to get the work done.

3. Stick to the scheduled timetable

Students thrive on routines and providing a clear plan for the day helps them become familiar with expectations and makes their day predictable. This predictability reduces anxiety and allows students to feel safe.

It also helps to ensure that they do not miss any teaching or learning experiences that may be pivotal in their academic success.

Ensure that your child is present for Registration every morning so that they can be set for the school day and ask any questions they might have about the day’s schedule.

4. Make sure all work is completed

Keep a calendar with upcoming due dates for important assignments and have a daily to-do list for guidance.

Ask your child to give an account of the tasks and assignments they are required to complete. The teachers will contact you if there is work outstanding. Please assist by encouraging your child to complete and submit unfinished tasks.

5. Encourage a growth mindset

This isn’t about what to learn or how to learn but rather how to think about what they’re learning. It is important that students learn that mistakes are a valuable part of the learning process.

6. Netiquette – some tips for respecting our fellow parents, students and teachers

• Be patient with each other – everyone is doing their best under difficult circumstances.

• If parents have questions, please message the teacher after the lesson and they will get back to you as soon as they can. It is too distracting to try and have parent-teacher conversations during a lesson.

• If your child is having a snack, please ensure that their camera and microphone are switched off – it is unpleasant for others watching or listening to someone eat or drink while they’re trying to work or concentrate on the lesson.

• Playing loud music and leaving the microphone on during a lesson is not acceptable.

• In short, consider whether or not the particular behaviour would be acceptable in a classroom or most social settings – if not, then it’s most likely not acceptable online either.