3 Ways To Ensure A Smooth Transition To Online Learning For Your Child

If you have decided to switch your child from traditional schooling to homeschooling, here are some useful tips to ensure a smooth transition to online learning for your child. Enforced homeschooling during the lockdown due to Coronavirus may not have been for everyone; however, there are a large number of people out there who may have been contemplating homeschooling but just weren’t quite sure if they would manage.

Whilst we recognise that crisis schooling our children during a pandemic is NOT the same as homeschooling in the traditional sense of the word, most of us were forced into the experience. And some of you thrived! I know many parents who took this as an opportunity to test the waters and have now decided that homeschooling and online learning is a viable option for their family. This collaborative guest post gives you 3 ways to ensure a smooth transition to online learning for your child. Online Learning has gotten bigger over the last 3 years; check on this online learning statistic to learn more and how this can help you.

How To Have A Smooth Transition to Online Learning

While the concept of online learning may be relatively new to you as a parent, you must quickly learn the ropes to ensure a smooth transition for your child as well. With clear challenges such as distractions, lack of motivation, and no in-person interaction, it may be hard for your child to fully grasp the concept of virtual education without any assistance. Use these tips to help your child successfully transition from physical classrooms to online learning.

1. Equip Your Child

The growth of distance learning in K-12 schools demands that your child have the essential learning equipment. Devices such as a computer and laptop are necessary for a smooth learning experience. Getting your child the right tools for the job helps them comprehend the concept of transitioning to virtual lessons.

Ensure your child is safe online when using such gadgets by:

Keeping Devices within your Vicinity

Monitor your child’s events while online and ensure each activity gears towards only one goes to master online learning effectively.

Encouraging Open Talk

Although you may try to keep tabs on your kid’s activities online, it is impossible to remain aware, especially if they have a mobile phone. Instead, it is better to inform your child about the dangers of the web, such as cyberbullying and educate on the effects of such experiences.

Having Parental Control

While your child may have temporary access to your laptop or phone, you should have the last say when it comes to operating these devices. Assert your command and keep your child safe by having parental control over all gadgets in your home.

2. Develop an Online Culture

Just as a child grows accustomed to attending school every day, your kid can also learn how to study virtually. Although it is not easy, ingraining a culture of rigorous learning is possible through patience, discipline, and perseverance.

Develop a lasting culture of reading even when it’s online by:

Setting Routines

Have a study routine for your child. If it’s a school timetable, help your child follow it to the letter by ensuring they never miss a lesson. After a while, the habit of attending online classes becomes normal to your child.

Scheduling Breaks

An effective culture of reading must include breaks. Scheduling short breaks in between your child’s learning activities will help them adopt the habit seamlessly.

Having Rewards

When your child completes a day’s, weeks, or months’ worth of tasks, you should encourage these efforts by rewarding them every so often.

3. Be Flexible

If there’s one lesson technology always teaches, it is to always remain open in your methodology. While today you may use specific software to access your child’s classroom, tomorrow, it may not be the same. Remaining open to new ways of virtual learning allows your child to have more interactive sessions when studying online. Always look for ways to better your child’s learning experience to ensure a smooth transition into online learning. Remember, their mental health is so important.

Final Thoughts

Learning may soon totally convert to the digital landscape. With the on-going technological changes, it is possible to take academic standards to a new level. Facilitate a smooth transition for your child by equipping your child, developing an online learning culture, and remaining flexible with your methods.

This post provides excellent suggestions on how to support your child and ensure a smooth transition to online learning. I have recently enrolled to do a masters degree in digital marketing and the entire university course is being conducted online. I am going to use some of these tips, especially the routine and online culture advice.