4 Ways To Facilitate Virtual Learning For Families
Written By Abena Sey
December 24, 2020
In the spring of 2020, Canadian schools experienced a rapid transformation of traditional teaching and learning practices. As a safety response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, schools across the country ended in-class learning and offered remote learning options for their students. Not only did school authorities contend with managing a public health and safety crisis, but also planning how to continue learning outside of schools. Likewise, teachers had to rapidly change their traditional pedagogical methods in order to teach their students remotely. No longer did teachers have the comfort and familiarity of teaching their students in the classroom setting, but for the last three months of school, they quickly adapted to teaching students using a variety of tools to deliver lessons off-site. The off-site classroom was now housed in both teachers’ and students’ homes, with technology and other resources serving as the bridge connecting teachers and students. An equally important element to this learning scenario is the role parents played as facilitators of their child’s learning during those three months. Undoubtedly, this educational experience came with many challenges for everyone, but we got through it. Teachers, students, and parents managed as best they could under these unusual circumstances, and many lessons were learned as a result.
In the 2020/2021 school year, there are a variety of teaching and learning scenarios for Canadian students. As I write this blog, we are still in the middle of a global health crisis. School authorities have provided families with options for learning at this time, and Canadian families have made decisions for how they wanted to continue learning in light of the health crisis. For some families, this may be in-class learning following safety measures, independently homeschooling, participating in the virtual learning program offered by the school authority, or a hybrid model where students temporarily learn at home in response to safety protocol. In my experience as a teacher who delivers lessons both in class, and temporarily virtually, I learned that it is important to consider potential challenges many parents will face supporting their child's learning at home, and provide them with as much support as possible to help their child thrive. Here are 4 tips on How To Facilitate Virtual Learning For Families.
1 - Communicate Expectations Simply, Clearly and Frequently
In the virtual learning context, consider your relationship with your parents as a partnership in learning, especially for parents of younger students. Ensure that your communication with parents is simple, clear, and frequent. You also want to ensure that your expectations are reasonable and easy to follow. Use a variety of communication methods as well. Emails, phone calls home, a website, or your school authority’s learning management system are all great ways to stay connected with parents. Reach out to families of students you have not made contact with, and remain empathetic in your communication. Seek first to understand the reason behind the lack of contact, and offer support in your capacity as the teacher and/or recommend the support provided by the school. It is good practice to send reminders to your students and parents about the schedule, learning plan, deadlines for assessments, and support and resources offered by the school authority. These are all helpful ways to keep the communication flowing with families.
2 - Supply Offline Learning Options For Students
It is important to consider the social and economic situation of your families when planning learning activities. Not all families will have access to technology or the internet, and some families may only have one device to share with multiple children and/or with parents who may be working from home. When you consider the variety of competing priorities or challenges, it is a good idea to offer your students offline learning options. The goal is to continue learning. If families are not able to participate in online learning, you can still offer support by giving alternative learning resources.
3 - Provide Both Synchronous And Asynchronous Learning Schedules
Flexibility is key! You should ensure that your schedule is flexible in order to provide as many learning opportunities as possible. While you may have planned for virtual meetings (i.e., a synchronous learning schedule), it is possible that some of your students may not be able to attend your meeting time for a variety of reasons. You can choose to offer a learning schedule of activities that students can complete in their own time (i.e., an asynchronous learning schedule). Remember, the goal is to continue learning while students are at home. A flexible schedule gives your families the opportunity to participate in learning.
4 - Keep Things Simple
Simplicity is profoundly important for facilitating virtual learning and attaining a more successful experience for your students. In your planning, remember that your students are not learning under normal circumstances. You are teaching them in their homes, and there are many factors that can impede learning that are beyond your control. Take it easy on yourself and take it easy on your families. Prioritize learning, but be cognizant of the fact that learning virtually is very different from learning in the classroom. Focus on the things that you can control, which are your planning, learning goals, and communication with your families.