There are many questions about screen time in an online school, we will give you the right answers
With the new school year underway and in the virtual mode, many parents are concerned about the effects of excessive screen use on their children’s long-term health. Today we bring you the truths of screen time in an online school on children so that they can learn safely, responsibly, and without distractions.
Today, screens (phones, tablets, computers) have become part of everyday life. As a parent, you’ve probably spent years making sure your kids manage their screen time appropriately and conveniently. Spending too much time in front of a screen it’s dangerous for children’s mental and physical health.
But, with the surge of alternative learning options such as online school, many parents are asking, Is all time equal? The concise answer is NO. It is not the same. Screen time in an online school has several benefits if abided by correctly.
Benefits of screen time in an online school
Since the integral adoption of the personal computer, screen time at school has been part of the learning experience for most children. In recent years, screens have become even more prevalent, with many schools incorporating laptops, tablets, and even smartphones into the classroom. Then, there’s an online school, which takes screens in school a step further, providing most of the school experience through a computer.
Does increasing a child’s screen time for online school mean a problem for those who spend a lot of time on screens watching shows, playing games, and chatting with friends? It’s a question many parents ask, and years of data on online learning provide an answer.
Many students have recently experienced online schooling, but it’s nothing new. For example, MGM Academy virtual private school has more than ten years of online schooling experience. Because of this experience, education specialists have a good sense of how online school screen time affects and benefits students.
Positive learning outcomes
As noted at the outset, not all screen time is the same. For years, experts have known that educational programming provided through a screen can help children learn and improve their behavior, literacy, and cognitive skills.
The usefulness of educational programming begins with its design. Focusing on learning principles and asking children to interact with the program can encourage children to gain new knowledge and develop new skills.
Problem Solving Skills
Online school is not just about a worksheet or a lecture delivered on a screen. It’s a learning experience designed primarily to be online. That allows K-12 online schools to take full advantage of the dynamic essence of digital environments.
Several studies have shown that complex digital interactions, such as strategic video games, can encourage children to improve their problem-solving skills. High-quality online schools take advantage of the same phenomenon through lessons that use the benefits of digital experiences.
While traditional learning may offer students only one course to follow, online classes can allow them to explore numerous paths, teaching them to see new information from different points of view and to think about problems holistically.
Through its digital nature, online schooling can keep all types of learners more engaged and focused on their courses. It enhances students’ ability to master new knowledge and subsequently apply it to assignments, group projects, and other tasks that require students to use and develop their problem-solving skills.
The e-learning process effectively challenges students by providing them with the environment to think critically, develop perseverance and improve their adaptability through online delivery using technological displays.
Digital literacy
Digital technology is now so ubiquitous that experts consider digital literacy an essential skill for anyone who wants to succeed in the coming years. However, digital literacy goes far beyond knowing how to use a digital device. True digital literacy is about moving seamlessly through a digital world.
Screen time in an online schools significantly ensures that students develop digital literacy. From navigating the school’s virtual learning environment to doing online research, joining virtual clubs, and meeting new friends through their screens, students in online schools get into a modern digital environment.
Best of all, students don’t just become comfortable with digital technologies; they learn how to be productive in digital environments. It’s a skill that will serve them well in the future. And even though it’s a skill that very few kids are acquiring today. For online school students, digital literacy is part of the process.
Screen time best practices for an online school
Even with all the benefits of screen time in an school online, it’s wise to manage your child’s screen use. As with most things, moderation is necessary. Luckily, there are some easy-to-follow recommendations for schools that provide online learning. These include:
– Create a screen-friendly environment: you can help your child learn better and avoid eyestrain by properly setting up their learning environment. It includes:
– keeping the room darker than the screen.
– Reducing the brightness of the screen.
– Keeping the screen 20 to 30 centimeters away from your child.
– Ensure the screen is set in high resolution and adjust the screen so that the top is just below your child’s eye level.
– Promote frequent breaks: In MGM Academy, students can take advantage of a flexible schedule. Instead of attending continuous classes, they can expand their daily learning in a way that works best for them and take time away from the screen.
– Work with your child to establish metrics: As a parent, you can make a meaningful difference in your child’s digital life. Sit down with them to discuss how much screen time they need for school and decide how much additional extra time you will allow them to use for TV, games, and other entertainment.
Is screen time important?
You can also book fun activities with the whole family, ensuring everyone gets some time away from their screens. Fortunately, the online school provides the flexibility to set up a schedule that works best for you and your child.
Screens are ever-present in today’s world. The issue isn’t just whether your child will use a screen; it’s when and why. For parents and students looking to get the most out of screen time, an online school like MGM Academy can be a great option.
For more information about our private online school and why it might be proper for your family, check out our online platform here.