Once you decide that online learning is a great option for your child you might be wondering how to make sure he or she succeeds. Learning how to help your child enjoy school while learning can seem challenging. However, we’ve got some great tips to help.
In Florida, we are fortunate to be home of one of the country’s largest and most well-known virtual schools. Across the state, Florida Virtual School (FLVS) offers free online learning options for students in grades Kindergarten-12. As hard as it may be to believe, they’ve been around since 1997, so they know a thing or two about online learning!
Even so, virtual learning is still new to a lot of families and you may have questions around how to get the most out of the experience and make it work for you.
That’s why we’ve assembled these online learning tips for virtual school parents and families:
Personalize Your Learning
Each student is different in how he or she studies, but consistent and continuous work is key to making progress. One way to help your child engage in learning and stay motivated is to sign up for online electives or classes in special subjects that interest him or her. Have your son or daughter take an online skills inventory or interest assessment that will highlight strengths and areas of opportunity. Self-directed learning is a great way to ensure that students are active participants (and more likely to retain knowledge and independently practice skills without even realizing it).
Create a Clean, Quiet Learning Environment
This may seem obvious, but a calm environment and organized workspace can do wonders for a student’s focus and concentration. When your child is studying online, his or her workspace should be free of noise, clutter, and other distractions to ensure an appropriate place for learning.
Plan Your Schedule Ahead of Time
Setting a daily and weekly schedule can help students stay on track. Have your student choose a specific time to start the day. Establish a morning routine and stick with it…get up, get dressed, have breakfast, check messages, review assigned lessons, etc. This will help set the tone for the day ahead. Tackle specific subjects on set days – and focus on large assignments early on in the week to allow for extracurricular activities or other obligations that may come up. Make Fridays pajama day to celebrate a successful week!
Ask Questions and Experiment!
If something about your family’s schedule isn’t working, don’t be afraid to change things up. See if your child prefers studying in the evening, or break up time at the computer with outdoor activities. If your student is struggling with a specific lesson (or just needs some motivation), online instructors can offer suggestions and support. They know better than anyone that each student has a unique learning style. Ask for recommendations on places to explore that will bring learning to life (whether it’s a virtual field trip, a local museum, or your own backyard). Stuck on a difficult math problem? Seek out visual aids or videos that may describe the concept another way.
Online learning can be a big adjustment for any family. Be sure to take your time and learn what works for you and your child. If you are interested in learning more about the online learning options available through FLVS, visit www.flvs.net/options.