Six Tips to Start Strong with Virtual Learning

Choice for families has been integral to Jefferson Parish Schools’ Start Strong plan for reopening amid the COVID-19 pandemic. To help families adjust to this new style of learning, JP Schools developed six tips to aid in virtual learning.

1. Create a dedicated learning space

Having a dedicated learning space in your home will help put virtual students in the right mindset to start school work, and ensure they have everything they need for the day in one central space. Make sure they have an organized space for their books, pens, papers and other supplies, and position the learning space near a wall outlet to charge their devices when needed. One helpful suggestion is to decorate a tri-fold poster board with the student’s schedule and add pocket folders for important information.

2. Have a positive attitude

For some children, this is a very uncertain and anxious time, and they may get frustrated while getting accustomed to the new style of virtual learning. Help your child keep a positive attitude and remind them that knowledge gained is an investment in their future.

3. Eliminate distractions

Eliminate distractions from your learning space. Turn off the TV, put away cell phones and wear headphones to help stay focused. Setting up in a private room with a door that closes is ideal. The occasional distraction of a sibling running by or a dog barking is inevitable. What’s important is that the student can quickly return to the task at hand.

4. Move your body and stretch during breaks

Just like students at school would take a break between classes to walk or grab a drink of water, it’s important that virtual students utilize breaks to stretch their legs and move. Movement will help blood flow and improve concentration. Maximize breaks in the schedule to move around, play outside and exercise throughout the day.

5. Participate and ask questions

Dialogue and talking through challenging subjects is critical to ensuring the students understand. Just like in a classroom setting, virtual students can and should ask questions and message a teacher for assistance when they get stuck on a problem. Through Google Classroom, teachers will be able to view student’s workbooks and make comments in real time.

6. Follow the schedule set by your teacher

Having a schedule is important to staying on track and engaged throughout the day. Students will be expected to log on in the morning when school starts and follow a normal school schedule. While there will be opportunities for self-paced learning, the majority of instruction will happen live alongside other virtual and in-class students.