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How To Do Online Schooling & Be Successful

Online or virtual school is an alternative education option to the traditional classroom that has become increasingly popular among families across the country- especially with Covid-19 creating difficulties with traditional schooling. If you’re looking into other options, you may be wondering many things:

How does online schooling work?

What are the benefits of homeschooling?

What homeschool supplies will I need?

How to start homeschooling in the first place?

Students transfer to online school for a variety of reasons. Some students come from homeschooling backgrounds, while others come from public or private schools. And not surprisingly, parents will have many questions about how to start homeschooling, their new roles, and how to get their kids to adjust. Parents of online K-12 students have a different role than those of independently home schooled or traditionally taught students. The following are several tips for parents to help their students transition to online school.

Homeschool Supplies

One of the most exciting parts for kids going to traditional school is getting brand new supplies, clothes, and other fun things to have a fresh start to the school year. Don’t leave this out what you’re opting for a homeschool coop or online school! Let your student pick out a desk, and set it up in an area of the house they will be successful in. Invest in supplies that will make them feel confident and stay organized.

And don’t leave out a few new outfits or pairs of shoes! Just because your student won’t be going to school in person everyday, doesn’t mean they should spend the day in PJs. Getting dressed in a fresh outfit can energize them in the morning, and give them confidence when getting together with friends. Just a few of these homeschool supplies can give your student a better start to a successful school year!

Be Patient as Your Student Adjusts

Like anything new, students will need time to adjust to their new schooling format, especially if your student has been learning in a traditional classroom for a while. Most online school courses are self-paced, which allows students to slowly acclimate to this new way of learning. This will also prevent burn out, and help both you and your student avoid feeling overwhelmed.

There is no one size fits all when it comes to how to do online schooling because it will take some time for your student to adjust. It may be a good idea to ease into a new routine and set different expectations than they had when attending their previous school. For example, your student can start by just doing several hours of schoolwork per day. This will allow them to adjust to online school as they feel comfortable without the stress of jumping into schoolwork right away- one of the best benefits of homeschooling!

Create a Routine That Suits Your Student’s Needs

One of the benefits of homeschooling and reasons that students transfer to online school is the flexibility and freedom it offers. Since many online schools have self-paced structures, online students are not confined to the same schedule as those in traditional classrooms. However, implementing a routine is always a good idea, especially for younger students.

If you enroll your student in an online school with a self-paced structure, you will have the ability to establish a routine that suits your student’s needs. For example, if your student is not a morning person, they may feel more productive starting coursework later in the day. Likewise, your student may prefer to complete their daily lessons between 8:00 and 1:00, while spending the afternoon doing other activities like art or music lessons. The flexibility to establish your own schedule is a benefit of online school that appeals to many families. However, when you are helping your student transition to online school, it will be helpful to create a routine to help them adapt.

Schedule Breaks and Home School Activities

As you and your student begin to establish a routine, it’s important to incorporate frequent breaks. Just like students in the classroom take breaks for recess and lunch, it is important to plan scheduled breaks into your student’s routine, as well. Students of all ages should have breaks, but younger children may need more frequent ones as they may get distracted more easily.

These breaks, however, shouldn’t be spent watching television or playing video games. Rather, these breaks should be spent on completing productive tasks. Several ideas on how to spend these breaks include eating a healthy snack or lunch, getting physical activity, going out for a short family activity, or doing chores. Taking ten to twenty minutes to complete any of these home school activities will give your student a mental break that will help them refocus on coursework and continue to progress through the material.

Help Your Student Keep in Touch with Friends

Transitioning to online school from public or private school will be a big change for our student, and it can feel lonely as they adapt to the one-on-one instruction of online school. They may struggle to make friends or stay connected with their former classmates. Encouraging your student to stay in touch with their friends will help prevent them from feeling overwhelmed about the transition to online school. If your student is in elementary school, set up playdates, or enroll them in extracurriculars with their friends. If your student is in middle or high school, encourage them to text their friends or invite them to a movie.

Incorporate Enrichment Activities

Extracurricular activities are important for every student to get involved with their community, socialize, and find interests that can last throughout their lives. When your student transfers to online school, you should be sure to incorporate enrichment activities, such as sports, clubs, and volunteering. These activities are not only good for your student to get involved and learn new skills, but they also enhance your student’s day-to-day lessons and curriculum. Even more benefits of homeschooling? You and your student can also go on field trips with one another that align with what your student is currently learning in their courses. For example, visiting a zoo will allow your student to see lessons about life science, habitats, and ecosystems come to life!

Ask your student about the types of things they would like to continue being involved with while attending online school and be sure to make time in your new routine to incorporate these activities. This will help them meet new friends and remained involved in their community like they were in their public or private school.