Here are the top 10 ways to do online schooling with your young child:
- Make sure your child has everything you are required to start
You must locate the computer requirements document on the web site of the school. Ensure that your computer suits the requirements. Also, you should have the right set of peripherals and software. The peripherals include printer, speakers, microphone, etc. The major programs are Adobe Acrobat to read .PDF files etc. When you have such things in place, make sure they work well. There are many schools that offer the software as downloads from their technical support page. This is why you should check that out prior to purchasing software.
- Gather the credentials for your child
Go ahead and locate the login and password for your online school course. Get to know the directions for logging in. Many a times, your login and password for class tend to match your login and password for the online school. You should make sure that your child is able to log in. This is so even if your child is not able to access your course there and then.
- Maintain accountability
Try to set goals right at the beginning of the semester. Make sure to check in with yourself on a weekly basis. In a conventional classroom setting, you might get verbal or visual reminders of the upcoming due date of an assignment. Here, there are no professors to remind you of upcoming assignment dates. You need to make sure that your child has allotted adequate time to get the work completed. Your child must not start an assignment the day just before it is due.
If you are having difficulty in holding yourself responsible, go ahead and pair up with a fellow classmate. Also, you can encourage your child to enlist the help of a spouse or friend to check in like an accountability partner. When your child is organized, self-aware and proactive, your child can get a good deal from your online class.
- Get to know the school landscape
Encourage your child to walk around the virtual campus. This way they will learn where things are. Encourage your child to log into the school Web site with the assigned login and password. Encourage them to do so as soon as possible. They need to click on various links to see what is available. Your child can expect to get a real feel for the school this way. There are many schools that hide vital student info behind a firewall to protect you. Thus, your child will have to have a login plus password to access it.
- Gather the contact info
Online schools tend to vary in how their Web sites are made. However, most schools offer links, e-mails and numbers for every service you will require as an online student.
- Try to set aside a good deal of physical space for class
Make sure to set aside a good deal of space in your home to keep the school items. You need to have some organization. You must have a physical one for vital papers and a folder on your computer where you tend to put all your papers. Try to put your books, a pen, some blank paper and a highlighter all in a place. If you wish to use various computers, you can buy a backpack for your child. This way they can keep their items that are portable.
- Encourage your child to post his/her introduction
In the beginning of an online school, students tend to write an introduction and post it on the discussion. Thus, students in an online school need to get acquainted. Only then can they take advantage of it. You must encourage your child to find someone in the class who they find interesting. They can send them a private e-mail with the help of their school e-mail address.
Your child must form genuine bonds with their online peers. This will enable them to compare notes, understanding assignments, share thoughts etc.
- Go ahead and learn the layout of the classroom
Ask your child to check out the course Web site. They can do so by logging into your online course. Enable them to familiarize themselves with the space. You can think of the space as a classroom. Ask your child to click on all the links. They can check out the discussion board, the e-mail system etc. Keep in mind that all virtual courses are built in a course management system. Your child will have to learn how to navigate the course prior to starting with the online course. Else, they might feel frustrated at a certain point of time.
- Make sure to scope out the online course
Make sure to find the syllabus for your child. You and your child must go through it. This will provide you and your child with an idea of what you are about to study. You will get to know as to how much reading will be there. Get to know as to what type of assignments you will be doing. Also, you will get to know about the expectations of the professor. You and your child will know what to expect. This will enable you and your child to stay focused.
- Make your child feel relaxed
The first online class can be highly intimidating for your child. However, once your child gets the hang of it, they are likely to handle it well. Colleges tend to spend a good deal of time and money forming online courses and the Web site. Encourage your child to ask questions. Make it easy for them to enjoy the overall online learning process.
The flexibility of an online school enables you to create and follow your own schedule. In fact, this is one of the most prominent appeals of taking online classes. However, with this freedom comes a lot of responsibilities. In order to succeed, students need to have the right set of skills like time management etc.
