We’re often underprepared for changes even when we know they’re coming. I was warned well in advance that my favorite local restaurant would be closed on Mondays. But guess who has still tried multiple times going there on a Monday?
But just think about the changes we aren’t prepared for. The ones that sneak up on us and suddenly change what we thought we knew. Then we’re seriously in a sink or swim situation. We must adapt or fail.
This is similar to the circumstance many of us educators find ourselves in right now. We have gone to great lengths to work with our administrators, colleagues, and communities to transition as best as possible from facilitating the classroom to facilitating the digital classroom.
But as we’re busy making sure we are prepared to transition to remote teaching, are we sure our students are ready to make the same leap to remote learning? As we work on our own professional development, are we equally developing our students to engage in the current learning environment?
The New Rules of Learning
The learning environment has changed, and there are a few core factors that are impacting the way students are exposed to, working with, and responding to new content.
Working at Home
The classroom is specifically designed to facilitate group learning. Rooms are equipped with desks, supplies, and limited distractions. The teachers and students interact directly with one another, all opportunities for misunderstanding, disruption, or unproductive behaviors are minimized.
But homes are not designed for this. Homes are set up to facilitate family and daily living. Students may have younger siblings, parents working at home, games and electronics, and home noises (like dishwashers or vacuum cleaners) to potentially interrupt otherwise sustained attention to a learning task. We must be mindful of this distinction and plan accordingly.
In-Person to Digital and Remote Interaction
There are a thousand and one elements to live, in-person interactions that we miss when we’re not physically present with one another. From the look of incomprehension on our students’ faces during a lesson to the simple “Hey, how are you?” chats as they enter our classroom, there is lots we lose out on when not together.
But there are new possibilities with digital interactions that we need to remain open to. It’s time to establish a new routine for check-ins, communication, and instruction that is conscious of the format students are currently going to be experiencing their learning.
Shifting to Appropriate Curriculum and Expectations
Not every lesson translates easily from the classroom to the digital realm. We are shifting both what we’re teaching students to fit the format and limitations of eLearning, and we’re shifting what we’re expecting of students knowing they are in a different environment and exposed to information and supports in a new way.
These changes may likely disrupt previously laid plans and put us all, students and teachers, into a circumstance of evolving what we can realistically share with students and what we can realistically expect them to accomplish.
10 Tips for At-Home Learning to Share with Your Students
So now that the circumstances have changed, are your students ready? You have done your best to prepare appropriate materials, communications, and expectations, but to what extent are your students prepared to make this transition themselves?
To help equip your students with the nuts and bolts of learning from home, provide them with the following tips.
- Establish communication with your teacher.
How will you and your teacher share information with one another? Email? An online platform? A discussion board? A calendar? Make sure you know where your teacher is sending updates and information and how you can send information back. - Ask questions.
There are a lot of questions to ask, and manny of them might feel like “stupid” questions. That’s okay. Ask them anyway. You don’t have to go it alone. Ask your parents, ask your teacher, ask your siblings, as your peers…ask someone when you need help. Your teacher won’t know when you’re stuck. - Make a daily schedule for yourself (and stick to it!).
First make a list of what you want to accomplish in a day. Then, with consideration of other things going on around you, make an ordered schedule of when you’re going to do what you need to each day. - Find the extra resources that best support you. Today’s world has SO MANY resources available, you can practically learn anything just by finding the right resource. So while you’re teacher will be sharing content and information with you directly, you can supplement your learning by identifying the right YouTube video, podcast, blog, ebook, article, social media connection, and so on.
- Establish a specific study area. This is critical for being able to focus and learn. Designate a space in your residence where you will do your work and study. Preferably it is a place where you can close the door and eliminate outside distractions. Make this separate from your “play” or “rest” spaces if possible.
- Tune out distractions. Hide your phone. Turn off notifications. Make a quiet space. Avoid online games, social media, and endless surfing. When you’re learning, make that your sole focus like you would in the classroom.
- Review the calendar plan. If your instructor has provided a day-by-day calendar, pay attention to it. It’s good to know what to do today, but it’s better to be prepared and know what’s expected in the day’s ahead as well.
- Have other household members help you out. The family in your house is your main in-person support right now. Enlist their help by asking them questions or support as needed. Also talk to them about helping you by giving you the time and space necessary to focus on your eLearning as well.
- Be patient, but persistent. This is new for all of us. Don’t expect to master eLearning itself or the class content right away, but do commit to improving. Learning in this way will take more time and attention than what you’re used to. It’s an adjustment, but you can do this!
- Develop independence and rely on yourself. Now that there’s not a teacher hovering over your shoulder, the motivation to consistent complete what you need to must come from within. You are not alone, but you are more separated from your teachers and classmates than usual. Be independent and take on the responsibility to be an effective student!
It’s okay to talk to your students about what it takes to be a successful learner at home. Be flexible, and give them the time, space, and tools to acclimate successful to the new learning environment we all find ourselves in.
How have you talked to and prepared your students to be effective learners from home? Share your advice with us in a comment below!