Online Learning TIPS: Be organised, Stay Engaged and Communicate

Untitled design (3).png

Kerstin is a secondary school teacher and has kindly shared with us her tips for ensuring Secondary School Students are successful and engaged during online learning:

Be organised

  • Have your study area set up with all the equipment you need

  • If possible, your study area should be quiet and distraction free

  • Display your timetable near your study area, colour code it if that helps.

  • Set your alarm so that you are up and ready for the first class of the day (get dressed and eat breakfast before school starts)

  • Watch the time! It’s very easy to lose track of time without school bells, and teachers telling you when to move to the next class.  Use a kitchen timer, alarm or online timer to remind you when the next class is starting.

 

Stay engaged

  • Make sure your camera is on, and working

  • Make sure your mic is working, and on at appropriate times

  • Interact with your classmates and teachers, when asked by your teachers

  • Put away all distractions during class times.  Act as if you’re at school; only get out your phone, games, chats etc once the class/work time is over. 

 

Communicate

  • Regularly check your emails and learning platforms (e.g. google classroom) for class announcements and assignments

  • If you start to fall behind, let your teachers know and they can help you work out a way to catch up

  • Talk with your parents, let them know how you’re feeling/going

Kerstin also shares that THE most important piece of advice is to talk to your teacher the minute you feel things are falling apart. Online learning is hard and overwhelming, especially for teens who aren’t capable of making the best decisions for themselves (we aren’t blaming them, we are blaming biology and the changes that are happening in their brains). As a parent you are going to have to check in with them, remind them over and over and over to charge their computer, set up their space and log in on time. Help them make a work/study timetable and more importantly check in with them twice a day to make sure they are on target. Don’t take their word for it that they are on track, look at the work they are producing to make sure.

If you are worried at all, schedule a Zoom with their teacher, it’s what they are there for.

WE’VE GOT THIS

Leith

Leith Stewart#onlinelearning #hongkongteachers