Preparing for Distance or Hybrid Learning, The Home Classroom
Buckle your seatbelt; we are in for another bumpy ride. But you already figured that out as we continue to be inundated with the school emails that let us know that plans aren’t finalized… yet. Rather than imagining all that might go wrong, we can better spend our time creating what we can control right now. It’s time to discuss and develop our children’s home-schoolrooms. We know what went well and not so well last year; with that knowledge and the knowledge that school locations might change throughout the year, it’s time to create a distance learning environment that best suits each of our children’s needs.
We can all help our children be their most successful with distance learning by creating their home- school environment now. Whether in an actual or virtual classroom, students must feel like they are engaged in their learning. Your family’s home space should look as close to a brick and mortar school as possible. Most importantly, this means that there needs to be a dedicated area that is distraction free where parents can easily check on their children. Students should have a posted daily schedule that they are following and a computer that allows for active engagement that is in the school space. This environment doesn’t need to be created with lots of glittery embellishments, these are distracting. Finally, all needed supplies should be available in the student’s work area. What does this ultimately look like? Essig Education Group has developed this 4-step approach to creating a home-classroom.
1. Make sure to discuss possible work areas with your children before the start of classes so that students see workspaces as their classroom where they can be productive. Ideally, students are able to create their virtual classroom somewhere other than their bedroom. If outside of their bedroom, the area needs to be distraction free. If the area is in the student’s bedroom, there should be a discussion about only working away from their bed. Current research has shown that working on a bed causes the brain to attach the bed to work. Students who work on their beds can develop sleep issues as their brains remain alert, assuming that work will happen, rather than beginning healthy sleep cycles. A student’s workspace needs to have a hard surface, desk, that is large enough to house a computer and monitor if a student is using one, space for being able to do schoolwork, and space for the supplies necessary to work (i.e., enough room for a book and paper to write on if taking notes). The desk should have good task lighting and when possible, be placed near a window for natural light. Finally, Wi-Fi needs to be adequate for the student’s needs.
2. Address active learning with your children. While distance learning cannot completely simulate the classroom experience, it can offer active engagement if students are engaging. Minimally, this means that students must be working with cameras on and must have their microphones on whenever there is class discussion. Also, to eliminate distractions, all notifications should be turned off during school hours and all screens should be closed beyond what the class is asking to have open. Distractions are everywhere when we are working from the comfort of our home; we must limit the technical distractions in order to simulate the school day experience.
3. Post a physical schedule in your children’s school space; this is essential for successful virtual learning. Viewing a visual reminder of daily requirements, particularly if students aren’t leaving their home, allows for timely shift from activity to activity. The activities that should be included on the calendar are a consistent wake and bedtime, school and schoolwork hours, exercise, meals, appointments, and then, with the time remaining friends and limited computer time.
4. Finally, having the supplies that are necessary for your children’s success will allow them to be in control of their work and learning.
With the correct supplies, a distraction free area, a computer with camera and microphone that has had distracting websites and notifications removed, and a positive mindset, students can find success with distance or hybrid learning. Essig Education Group has a supply list that can be easily purchased on Amazon. You can also view our online classes, Organizing Your School Binder and Finding Success with Online Learning. Links to both classes and our supply list can be found on our website. By pre-planning our children’s home-schoolrooms, we can make sure that the seatbelt is tight and the car is in drive.