Last year’s pandemic has affected all facets of life, including the education of students. Most schools have been forced to shift to distance or hybrid learning models. While inconvenient, many districts have decided it is a necessary decision to make for the safety of students and teachers. Still, one cannot deny the fact that it has been challenging for many students to adapt to this new way of learning.
How can you tell if your child is struggling with remote learning? Here are a couple of telltale signs and what you can do to improve the situation:
One of the biggest signs that your child may be having problems adjusting to the new setup is when they’re hardly spending any time doing school work. Your child may even tell you that their teachers aren’t giving them any homework and while that might be true for some classes, that doesn’t mean they aren’t giving any!
If your child never seems to have homework, there are two possible explanations. The first is that they were not aware that they had assignments in the first place. Adjusting to an online platform can be tricky and if they haven’t figured out where all their assignments are placed, they may think they don’t have work at all.
Another possibility is that your child is brushing off our rushing through their schoolwork. Online learning for many students just doesn’t come with the same motivation that physical lessons do, and some students do neglect their assignments as a result. They may also find the idea of completing assignments without guidance from the teacher overwhelming. Even a parent might have a hard time nailing an 11th grade math quiz if they didn’t understand the previous lesson!
Another red flag that your child is struggling with online learning is when they fail to answer questions about their lessons or actively avoid talking about school activities. It may be because they have a hard time focusing during their online classes or don’t have a very positive impression of learning right now. Remember that the home presents a lot of distractions to students. And much as you try to turn your home into a "classroom", it may not exactly be conducive to learning.
A lot of kids and teens also have attention issues, to begin with, and without an actual teacher in front to hold their attention, it’s easy to zone out. The fact that they’re facing a laptop or a tablet for hours also means they have access to the internet. Even if they’re "attending" the class, they may not be fully engaged and in a learning mode.
The success of remote learning depends on the student’s willingness to adapt to the change and learn through new methods. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything to help them handle the new setup better. Here are a few tips:
Create a schedule and stick to it. Many school-aged children thrive on routine—teenagers included. If their teachers are not strict about schedules, consider helping your child implement one of your own. Sit down with your child and work together to plot out a weekly schedule to make sure that they give due attention to their schoolwork while still engaging in other activities, such as exercise and recreation. You might want to consider giving your child a planner to help improve organizational skills. Decorating it together could also be a great way to bond.
Take regular breaks. Even adults who work in front of a computer for hours need a break every now and then, so why shouldn’t your kids? Long hours sitting and staring at a screen can take their toll on your kid’s eyesight and posture. It can affect their health, too. Therefore, make sure that your kids get enough breaks that they can use to enjoy some snacks and do other things they want to do.
Consider getting a tutor. If your student is having trouble dealing with their schoolwork on their own, you might want to think about getting a tutor. There are some subjects that you may be perfectly able to help them with, but some kids respond better to someone that they consider a teacher as opposed to their mom or dad. Finding one isn’t too difficult, anyway. A quick search for "homework help in Summerside" or wherever you may be from can lead you to some great tutors.
Students are used to going to school and learning from their teachers in person. They need to adjust to remote learning—and they need all the help they can get. There’s no doubt that the major changes in our daily routines have been tough on everyone, but as a parent, you can support your child by staying attentive to their current outlook on school and helping them create a plan for success.
If you think you need a math tutor in Edmonton or nearby areas, you can reach out to our expert tutors from Mathnasium. Call us at (587) 809-2507 to know more about our services or to get 2 free sessions for your student!
