TASS Parent Support Guide to Managing Online Learning
The transition to online learning will be challenging for families. Parents/Guardians will need to think differently about how to support their children and create structures and routines that allow their children to be successful. Some students will thrive with online learning, while others may struggle.
1. Establish routines and expectations
- Set regular hours for children to work (Guide for parents) 8:45am to 9am for planning the day in their Daily Plan
- Students begin their studies at 9am
- Keep normal bedtime routines (Don’t let them stay up late and sleep in)
- Children should move regularly and take periodic breaks as they study
- Alternate between online and offline tasks
- No more than 3 hours online learning a day
- It is important that parents set the expectations for how their children will spend their days starting as soon as online learning is implemented, not several days later after it becomes apparent a child is struggling with the absence of routine.
2. Define the physical space for your child’s study
- Establish a space/location where your children will learn most of the time
- This should be a public/family space, not in a child’s bedroom behind a closed door
- It should be a place that can be quiet at times and where parents are present and monitoring their child’s learning
- Students may need headphones
3. Equipment
- Students will need access to a computer or iPad
- Make sure you can see the screen as you walk by
- Headphones
- A stable internet connection is essential (alternatives can be sought for families where this is not possible)
- A mouse, keyboard and monitor for an extended desktop are desirable
4. Start and finish each day with a simple check-in
- Depending on your child’s age - In the morning, ask your child what they are working on throughout the day and how can you support them. Obviously younger students need more 1-1 support than independent learners in older grades.
- Establish check-ins as regular parts of each
- Not all students thrive in a distance learning environment
- Some struggle with too much independence or lack of structure
- Check-in routines need to be established early, before students fall behind or begin to struggle
5. Take an active role in helping your children process and own their learning
- During a regular school day, your son or daughter engages with other students or adults many times. These social interactions and opportunities for mediation include turning to a peer to exchange a thought or idea, participating in small or large group discussions, asking questions for clarification, collaborating on group projects, and countless other moments. Human beings learn best when they have opportunities to process their learning with others, however, it’s important that your child owns their work.
- Students will want to be in touch with their friends and may choose to do this with messaging apps, online gaming sites, ‘Facetime’ etc, whatever your family deems as appropriate.
6. Monitor communications from your children’s teachers
- Teachers will communicate with parents through email (Seesaw Y6), when and as necessary
- Staff email addresses are listed on our website
- The frequency and detail of these communications will be determined by your child’s age and degree of independence
- Teachers will be communicating with a number of other families, so an email reply may be delayed
- Parents can call the school for an urgent matter
- Students have been told to monitor the following communications in order:
- Email will be the most important method of communication between teachers and parents (Seesaw Y6)
- Check email regularly
- Depending on working arrangements, teachers will usually be available during the day (during the school term) for you to email specific questions and clarify task related matters
7. Encourage physical activity and/or exercise
- Make sure your children remember to move and exercise
- This is vitally important to their health, wellbeing, and to their learning
- Give your child responsibilities to help around the house
- See Nature and Outdoor play activities on our Online Learning Centre
8. Remain mindful of your child’s stress or worry
- Help your child manage the emotions they may experience
- Children need as much normal routine as parents can provide
- Try some mindfulness and meditation apps to control anxiety
9. Monitor how much time your child is spending online
- We do not want our students staring at computer screens for 7-8 hours a day
- Have breaks in between screen time
- Alternate between online and offline work
- There will be a level of trial-and-error for parents, teachers and students
10. Set rules around social media, music and device use
- Phones are not allowed during school hours, so students should not have access to their phones for social networking when working
- Older students may want to use a messenger service as a back channel to work with other students
- Set regular breaks for socialising and only allow it during these times
- Remind your child to be polite, respectful, and appropriate in their digital communications and to represent your family’s values in their interactions with others