Benefits of Online Learning

The half term holiday is over and the ‘stay at home’ order is still in place. This means that most of our children are still learning remotely. How is this going- exasperating, tiring, perplexing, or is it getting better by and by?

Online learning comes with many challenges as we highlighted at our last HighFlyers Parents’ conference

• Technical hitches, unstable internet connection, sound problems

• No readily available support when students are confused

• General distractions of being at home, and of course younger children requiring constant supervision

How about the challenges faced by our schools?

• The reliance on the chat box or just verbal feedback to check understanding.

• Reduced interaction with students as some just ‘hide’ behind the screens and who knows what they are doing?

• Much more time is required to plan for lessons, assess students work and give feedback.

• Educators have had to quickly come to grips with a whole new technology

---

This situation appears grim, bearing in mind that online learning might continue for a while, but every cloud has a silver lining! At the same conference, we also highlighted some benefits this period has provided for students and their families. Please check out the slides containing useful information and advice here

• Parents and guardians are more aware about the unique academic and emotional needs of their children.

• There is a greater opportunity for independent learning with the endless supply of online learning resources.

• Parents and children can collaborate more to solve problems.Some parents have been able to upskill themselves

• Children can build on their innate talents to develop skills in extra curriculum areas e.g. vocational skills, coding, video editing, cooking etc

• Families have saved time and money

Indeed, this lockdown has proven that a thriving parent – school collaboration is a non-negotiable factor for academic success.

As we try our best to support our children through these challenges, we must remember that the essence of a proper Education is not just to pass exams, but to enable our children to understand the world around them, and the unique potentials within them, so that they can maximise their lives and become fulfilled, productive and compassionate individuals.

---

Ken Robinson, in his book, "You, Your child & school," gives us eight competencies delivered by a proper education. As dutiful parents/guardians, we could design activities to enable our children work on at least one of them each day.

1. Curiosity: Discovering and experimenting with new ideas so that the thrill of learning can be kept alive.

2. Creativity: Getting results by putting their original ideas to work.

3. Critical thinking: Carefully sifting through information or ideas presented to them to separate fact and truth from lies, bias, and utter nonsense. You need to take this up very seriously with the barrage of information being thrown at us online by the second.

4. Communication: Presenting their thoughts and ideas in a manner that will be well received and appreciated. It includes good speaking, writing and arithmetic skills.

5. Collaboration: Working together as a team to solve problems

6. Compassion: Showing empathy, care and concern for other people and living creatures.

7. Composure and confidence: Beating fear, anxiety, stress and depression by turning fear into action.

8. Citizenship: Awareness of their rights and duties as responsible citizens.

If you have not joined our book club, why wait? register today to take advantage of the sessions where we help children to develop some of these competencies