Online Learning During COVID-19
COVID-19 HAS DISRUPTED EVERY AREA OF OUR LIVES, from our workplaces to our day-to-day routines. However, few have had to adapt to greater change—and, possibly, greater loss—than American students. The vast majority of students are now attending school from home and are participating in online learning. Now, your children are likely dealing with the difficulty of separating school from home life. As you may have experienced, it can very much be a problem for them.
What the Research Says
The most recent research on the matter makes it clear. Students primarily learning online learn far less than those learning for the same period of time and studying the same subject matter in person. This is particularly true for those students who were already having some trouble in school. In a study published in the Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness in 2016, researchers found that, compared to students in face-to-face credit recovery courses, students in online credit recovery courses had more difficulties, were less likely to recover credit, and scored lower on a post-test of the subject matter.
Large-scale studies in Ohio charter schools and Florida public schools revealed similar results, leaving parents with ample reason to worry that their children studying from home are rapidly falling behind. How much are they falling behind? According to research compiled in the American Economic Review regarding college students, the difference in such classes for many students could be 0.44 of a letter grade!
What can you do?
How can you help your child avoid these common pitfalls of online learning?
• Create a dedicated work environment for your child, so he or she can feel there is space for him or her to work. That space needs to be distinct from the rest of your home. Comfortable and dedicated working areas play a key role facilitating a child’s learning.
• It’s more important than ever for the student to make a plan for what they are responsible to learn. Create a schedule for big assignments and important readings to ensure that your child is learning what they need.
• Online classes are different from their face-to-face counterparts, and your child should approach them differently. For example, make sure they ask more questions than they normally would to promote engagement.
• As parents, you may not be able to provide the support they need for school. The kind of in-person or online tutoring that Education One provides will be the key to providing the support your child needs in these uncertain times.
For more information about improving your child’s education and more, visit Educate-One.com today and start with a free consultation!