Sure, there are a lot of downsides to students learning virtually at home. They may not have the best Wi-Fi or know which computer models and software are best.
Also, some kids just don’t learn very well staring at a screen – they need live interactions and the ability to ask questions.
But is 20—21 a lost school year? Math skills have been hard hit, and many parents are frustrated that their students’ reading, vocabulary, or comprehension isn’t improving.
But on the plus side, some teachers are developing skills in using computers and learning on their own how to reach out to students in ways that work. There are teachers out there who are connecting.
Advice to parents
Parents have always taught their kids and had a hand in their education, whether it’s teaching cooking, gardening household chores, or reading fun and educational books.
But a total shift to online education is a major change for parents and kids. However, it will likely stick around for a while so we may as well look for the silver lining.
Now parents need to be really involved – not only to help their students stay on task – but to also understand what’s going on in the virtual classroom(s). This gives parents the opportunity to communicate more with teachers and give them real life feedback on how well their child is understanding their lessons.
If you’d like to explore a wide range of learning opportunities that you can share with your children, here are some resources to get you started:
https://www.discountschoolsupply.com
https://www.sensorytheraplaybox.com
https://www.weareteachers.com/best-math-websites
https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/mathematics-application-in-everyday-life
