Online Classes Guidelines

For students, this time of the year used to be all about the smell of freshly printed books, new classrooms, new bench mates, new school uniforms and new teachers. But this pandemic has forced the entire world to reinvent and re-imagine the usual. Online classes have become the new normal. With class schedules for the day arriving on Whats App, and students taking classes through the virtual world, the whole education system is now just a click away and at our doorsteps.  

Online classes Guidelines

The guidance below can help us all make the best of new and unfamiliar online learning environments. It can help you be ready for some of the more practical aspects of learning from home.

1.  Routines and expectations:

It is important to develop good habits from the start. Ensure kids finish their breakfast on time and other routines before the class, not during the class. Kindly keep a bottle of water next to the child. Remind your child to be polite, respectful, and appropriate in their communications, and to follow class rules in their interactions with others and teacher.

2. A good place for the class:

Your family’s regular learning space for occasional homework might not work for extended periods. Set up a physical location that is dedicated to school-focused activities. Make sure it is quiet, free from distractions and has a good internet connection. Make sure an adult monitors online learning all the time. Keep windows open, and practice good digital safety.

3. Stay in touch with the child:

Teachers will mainly be communicating regularly through online platforms and virtual learning environments. Stay in contact with classroom and support teachers. If you have concerns, let the class teacher know. Checking in your child to process instructions they received from their teacher will help them organise themselves and set priorities. 

4. Let the child ‘own’ their learning:

Provide support and encouragement and expect your child to do their part. Struggling is allowed and encouraged! Do not help too much. Becoming independent takes lots of practice.

5. Begin and end the day with a positive note:

Let the child understand the timetable. Encourage the child to attend the online class.

As Parents,

Before the morning, you might ask:

• What classes/subject do you have today?
• Do you have any assessments/ projects?
• How will you spend your time today?
• What resources do you need for this session?
• What can I do to help you?

At the end of the day, you might ask:
• How far did you get in your learning tasks today?
• What did you learn? What did you discover or explore? What was hard?
• What could we do to make tomorrow better?

These brief grounding conversations does matter.

6. Physical activities and deficiencies of Calcium/ Vitamin D: 

Obesity in children is on the rise either due to lack of outdoor physical activities or due to binge eating and easy availability of junk food at home. Apart from lack of physical activity, lack of sunlight exposure and poor diet also contributes to Calcium and Vitamin D deficiencies. Kindly ensure children have good physical exercise in the form of skipping at home, hopping and dancing.

7. And lastly, parents need to set examples for their children.

The only key for a better learning is positive atmosphere, motivation, and consistency!!