Learning online offers scholars and their families a lot of flexibility. Scholars don’t have to be confined within a traditional brick-and-mortar classroom. They can choose to work where they want, when they want, based on personal preferences. Online education allows children to choose their learning environment and schedule so that they can be more focused on their school work and achieve academic success.
Compass Charter Schools (CCS) is a virtual public charter school that offers an online learning program for scholars throughout California. The flexibility that comes with online education helps scholars learn how to create structure and discipline in their lives. They learn how to manage their time and prioritize their classwork to achieve success. Online learning offers scholars a great level of responsibility, which can be challenging for first-timers. Here are seven great tips to help first-time online learners have a successful school year:
Create a Workspace
It’s important for first-time online learners to establish a workspace. Having a designated workspace can help scholars stay organized and on schedule. Learning coaches and scholars can work together to prepare the workspace. It’s an area that should be well lit with minimal distractions and a table or desk for scholars to do their work and stay focused. Families should also consider adding a few shelves or a bookcase to the area, and a place to display academic achievements. Overall, it’s important for scholars to know that the workspace is reserved for learning and classwork.
Time Management
It’s important that online learners create a learning schedule and stick to it. Online education offers scholars a lot of flexibility, but it’s essential that they stay on track with their assignments and deadlines. Families can work together to reserve time each day for school work and breaks. Schedules should be created based on scholars’ personal preferences and family circumstances. Scholars should consider focusing on their most challenging school subjects when they are most alert and reserve more time for those subjects. Scholars should post their learning schedule where it can easily be seen and treat their schedule seriously. In fact, learning coaches should consider using a stopwatch to help scholars learn how to keep track of time.
It’s also important that online scholars eliminate as many distractions as possible while learning. Television, loud music, pets and many other factors can distract children from their school work and cause them to fall behind. It’s important that learning coaches help scholars by eliminating as many distractions as possible while they’re studying. To further eliminate distractions, scholars can also share their learning schedule with their family and friends to let everyone know when they’re studying.
Know Your Resources
At the beginning of the school year, scholars and their families should spend time learning about the tools and resources that are available to support them. Scholars should work with their school’s IT department to ensure their computer is updated and working properly. Parents should take time to participate in any school meetings like CCS’ quarterly Town Hall meetings, monthly Coaches’ Corner sessions or join the Parent Advisory Council to connect with other parents. Scholars and their families should work together to explore any new software or programs their school has implemented. For example, this year CCS will launch a new partnership with StrongMind, a robust online curriculum provider, and schedule training for all scholars and learning coaches.
Contact Your Teachers
It’s critical that online learners build close working relationships with their teachers. Online education allows scholars to access their teachers through multiple channels. Scholars at CCS are encouraged to consistently communicate with their teachers through live online classes, emails, phone calls and other forms of acceptable digital communication. Having strong relationships with their teachers can give scholars a more engaging learning experience. Scholars should notify their teachers if they have any technical difficulties so that their teachers can help them solve the problem and get back on track. They should attend weekly office hours with each teacher to ask questions and discuss class assignments. Families should also talk with teachers if they have vacations scheduled during class time so that the teachers can help the scholar avoid falling behind. Scholars should strive to respond within 24 hours to any messages from their teachers and submit their assignments on time.
Spend Time Outdoors
Online learners should take a break from their computer and enjoy spending time outside everyday. Scholars and their families can schedule physical education time and exercise together. Families can go on a nature hike or bicycle ride together. They can even create obstacle courses in their backyard or at a local playground.
Field trips are another great opportunity for scholars to spend time outside and continue learning. CCS has a wonderful engagement team that schedules multiple field trips each month for scholars and their chaperones. Scholars have the chance to meet their peers and school staff while exploring local monuments, museums, and much more! Learning coaches can also plan their own field trips to enhance their scholar’s academic experience. Online learning gives scholars the flexibility to truly enjoy a hands-on learning experience.
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Compass Charter Schools (CCS) is a WASC-accredited virtual charter school that serves families throughout California. Interested in learning more about CCS’ flexible academic programs? Visit our website, or contact our enrollment team at enrollment@compasscharters.org or (877) 506-8631.