Back to (Virtual) School: 5 Things Parents Can Do to Support Students in Virtual Courses
Virtual learning is changing the way that students can learn. However, just because the environment looks different does not mean that relationships are any less central to the learning process for students enrolled in virtual courses. Parents and other caregivers offer some of the most critical guidance that students need to be successful in their academic journey.
For students enrolled in virtual programs, the basic support they need from parents is much the same as any traditional student—positivity, accountability, and the knowledge that family members are aware of and care about what they’re working on. But, virtual learning does come with some unique logistics and additional challenges that parents and caregivers can be instrumental in to help their children manage.
Here are five things parents can do to help their child achieve success in virtual courses:
Help Your Child Build a Schedule
One of the biggest draws of virtual learning is the flexibility it offers. That flexibility, though, comes at the price of the structure that the traditional classroom provides. Students in virtual courses need to build their own routines and effectively manage their time in order to stay on track. Having a well-thought-out, specific daily schedule is key, and parents can be a huge help not only in building such a plan but also in making sure that it is followed.
Before your child’s virtual course(s) begins, sit down together and think through what he or she is responsible for accomplishing in his or her virtual courses on a daily or weekly basis, how much time those tasks will realistically take, and what other commitments (sports, arts, work, family engagements, etc.) he or she needs to consider. Bring your child’s virtual teacher(s) into the conversation too—teachers can offer valuable insight into what the demands of virtual courses really look like and how time will need to be budgeted. Once you’ve talked through everything on your child’s plate, help him or her write out a weekly schedule with designated work time for online courses. Be sure to hang up the schedule in a noticeable place, like on the refrigerator or next to any other family master calendars, to help keep your child accountable and establish an effective routine.
Model Hard Work and Persistence
Success in virtual courses takes a high level of intrinsic motivation and self-directed effort. For some virtual students, this motivation comes naturally, but for others, especially those new to online courses, getting accustomed to self-pacing and working through the normal, productive struggles of learning more independently can be challenging. Parents and other caregivers can make a big difference simply by demonstrating the ubiquity and importance of these skills in the “real world” beyond school.
Talking to your child about your own work and goals is a great place to start. Tell him or her about difficult projects you’re working on, new skills you’re trying to master, and challenges you’ve faced. For instance, do you have a big presentation coming up at work? Tell your child about the extra time you’re putting in to prepare. Are you in the process of taking up a new hobby? Tell your child about how you’ve had to try and fail. Take time to sit down with him or her while he or she is working on coursework to tackle some projects of your own. These don’t have to be big talks or perfect examples (and don’t expect to hold your child’s rapt attention), but demonstrating your own hard work and motivated attitude will help your child take a similar approach.
Set Up a Designated Workspace
For everyone, surroundings make a huge difference in one’s mindset and ability to focus. Students taking virtual courses have the ability to complete their work where they want, so it’s important to put thought into what kind of environment is truly most effective for them and make sure that they have a designated space at home.
Think about your child’s personality and needs as a starting point to create a workspace tailored to him or her, and be sure to have a direct conversation with your child about where and how he or she will be most comfortable working on the virtual courses. If your child thrives on quiet, make sure that he or she has a desk and comfortable chair in the room. If he or she needs a little more interaction and hands-on accountability, a desk or table in the living room or kitchen may be a better option. You can also look into options provided by your child’s school, like monitored, dedicated lab space for virtual students. And, no matter what the workspace looks like, be sure that your child has easy access to the materials and supplies that he or she will need to be efficient, like good headphones; a wireless mouse if he or she will be working on a laptop; and plenty of notepaper, pens, and other office basics.
Familiarize Yourself with the Virtual Learning Platform
Students taking virtual courses spend their school days immersed in an online program. For parents, taking the time to get familiar with what that platform looks like, how your child is using it, and what resources are available are some of the best ways you can offer support.
Start by exploring any orientation resources provided by the virtual learning platform alongside your child. Make sure that your child is comfortable navigating through the courses and completing basic tasks like submitting assignments and checking grades. Be sure to spend time on communication tools available to your child as well, like built-in messaging features, video-conferencing tools like Zoom, or basic phone and email use. Regular communication between students and the teacher is absolutely critical in virtual courses. Many virtual course providers also offer parent portals—be sure to find and explore any tools like this so that you can monitor your child’s progress. If the virtual program offers any materials or guides specifically created for parents and caregivers, take the time to read through them. It’s your child’s course, but by knowing the program, you will have a better grasp on what his or her learning looks like and how you can most effectively provide support.
Build a Relationship with Your Child’s Teachers
Virtual teachers are teachers like any others! They’re qualified, dedicated professionals who want to build strong relationships with their students—and part of that is getting to know students’ families and broader support systems.
For parents, your child’s virtual teachers are your primary teammates in supporting your child through his or her online schoolwork. Nearly all virtual courses require a certain amount of communication back and forth between students and teachers, but these teachers are also available to you. Be proactive about reaching out to them at the beginning of your child’s course to introduce yourself and talk about how you want to partner and communicate (don’t hesitate to use all the forms of communication available to your child, including video conferencing!). If you have questions about the course or concerns about your child’s progress, reach out and discuss them with his or her teacher. And, certainly not least, share successes! You see your child on a very regular basis—the virtual teachers don’t. When you see your child reaching goals, making productive changes, or hitting important milestones, tell the teacher about it—it’s guaranteed that your child will appreciate the positive feedback coming from multiple angles.
Orginally published by: Edmentum Blog, writen by: Sarah Cornelius, Associate Product Manager