Tips for Success
We recommend students and families consider the following tips to help make online learning a success:
- Establish a daily routine that includes consistent bedtimes and wakeup times, meals, dedicated learning time, breaks between subject areas, physical activity, and time for leisure interests. Create a schedule and post it in a prominent place.
- For younger learners, create a schedule that uses clocks and pictures to represent each activity.
- View sample formats here:
- Create a space that is used just for online learning time. It can be a table or desk but should be off to the side.
- Include plenty of space for the computer and learning materials (paper, writing tools, books, etc.)
- Place in an area without distractions (TVs, video game systems, phone, high traffic areas of the home)
- Be sure it is well lit to reduce eye-strain.
- Have your student add a personal touch (picture, plant, poster, choice of school supplies) to make it feel familiar and comfortable.
- Set reasonable daily goals for completing lessons and assignments. Aim for one unit per course per week. Consider writing “assignments” down on a post it note or small whiteboard nearby as a checklist for your student.
Resources
Learning and Thinking Activities That DON’T Require a Computer
You may find your student completes assignments more quickly than what may happen on site in school. School days include a lot of transition routines between spaces and events and shared time and attention with other students; since much of that isn’t occurring at home, your student may complete a day’s worth of instruction in less than the time of a typical school day. Below are some ideas for engaging activities that don’t utilize a computer screen for anyone in the family to try.
Build something out of LEGO, K’Nex, blocks, toothpicks, pipe cleaners, or any other building materials
Draw, paint, sculpt, photograph, dance, or make music or film to communicate a thought, feeling, or idea
Play charades or pictionary
Draw, paint, sculpt, photograph, dance, or make music or film to communicate a thought, feeling, or idea
Go on a scavenger hunt through the house or outside in the yard
Explore nature and try to identify something new found outside using a book from the library
Play board games
Complete a jigsaw puzzle
Complete crossword puzzles, Sudokus, or logic puzzles
Write a story
Read a book
Make a scrapbook or journal about experiences during e-learning
Create a comic or graphic novel version or fan fiction based on a recently read book
Plan a meal or cook a new recipe
Learn a new life skill (do laundry, change a tire, balance a checkbook, etc.)
Brainstorm ideas and plan out a new business or invention to meet an observed need
Engage in a passion project that includes research, service learning, or real world problem solving. (**These require a computer to get started.) For ideas of project types and guidance on how to complete a passion project, visit the sites below: