The COVID-19 pandemic has upended almost everything related to the education system over the past six months. Online learning probably wasn’t what your family expected when your student started school this year. And the uncertainty of how it will impact your student’s academic achievement and mental well-being may be weighing on you.
You’re right to be concerned. So many students are grieving the loss of the traditional educational experience while feeling isolated from their friends and peers. Some will find it hard to stay motivated in a virtual learning environment, and over time will fall behind. Others, who traditionally are considered high achieving students will become overwhelmed adjusting to a new normal. To make matters worse, very few schools are prepared or equipped to recognize when a student needs extra support let alone be able to provide it. But you’ve come to the right place, the experts at Academic Coaching Specialists can help.
Students everywhere have been forced to adapt to online learning, and to say it’s an adjustment is a bit of an understatement. We’ve outlined a few tips to help aid in a smooth transition to virtual learning.
Maintain Good Communication
Communication is key when it comes to bridging the gap between the instructor and learner. With online learning, the educator may not seem as readily available as they would in a classroom setting. Make sure your student asks when and how the teacher / professor can be reached for one-on-one support.
Establishing a Functional Work Space
Setting up a work space that lends to greater productivity with the least amount of distractions possible, is critical to success of a virtual learning environment. Also make sure a dependable internet connection is readily available for use. If you have to go to a public space, have headphones available for listening to lectures or discussions.
Utilize Your Resources
Make sure you stay connected to your professor and classmates and utilize resources such as study groups or online discussion boards if they are available.
Actively Participate
Over time, your student may begin to feel very isolated with online studies, especially since they’re not with their instructor or classmates on a consistent basis. Encourage your student to participate actively and work together with classmates to complete assignments and lessons. It’s also wise to engage in the discussion, ask and answer questions and be an active participant in the course.
It’s important to keep an eye out for early indicators that your student is struggling with online learning. As a parent, you may not know if your son or daughter is skipping classes and they may not share if they are missing assignments or their grades are steadily declining. With that said, there are a few signs that if present shouldn’t be ignored.
- Sudden changes in mood or behavior
- Withdrawal or steady decline in communication with friends or family members
- Refusal to attend class or complete assignments
- Consistently late turning in assignments
- Lack of class participation and engagement
At Academic Coaching Specialists we can help your student acclimate to and even optimize the virtual learning environment by;
- Assisting with organization of time and materials. These are key factors in the ability to be successful in any course, but especially online courses.
- Providing added support and accountability for students to gain an understanding of expectations and help following through.
- Being there as a resource, to answer questions, and anticipate common issues to help student prepare for and work through any challenges.
- Helping to balance work loads. Often when taking courses online, students tend to over or under estimate the amount of time it will take to accomplish tasks. Your ACS Coach will help set limits and parameters that allow students to create a balance that works.
NJ D.
” The program has geared me up for success not only in the classroom but also in life. Having a dedicated plan day in and day out has helped me achieve so much. With the help and guidance from ACS, I was able to graduate college (which I never thought could happen) and have helped me land my dream job right out of college! Thank you ACS!! “
Joe D.
” I was able to improve my test scores, improve my overall grades and even make dean’s list. I also gained a new mentor, coach, and friend. I am using the skills I learned through ACS daily in my career such as planning, focusing, and prioritizing my tasks each day. “
Carolina B.
” I struggle with time management and I have learned that I need accountability to finish and reach my goals. Having someone who cares about my success, offering tools and strategies to get there, has been crucial for my professional and personal development. I am so grateful for this support from ACS in this journey. “