The following tips will help you to catch up in online school when you start the school year late
While it’s ideal to start online school at the beginning of the semester, there are many reasons why some families may have to begin later.
Parents probably needed more time to enroll their children, or perhaps the student changed schools due to a lack of accommodations. Whatever the reason for a late start, it often takes a little dedication and patience to catch up with the rest of the class.
Fortunately, a high-quality online school like MGM Academy can provide family support and practical advice on how to catch up in online school such as in elementary, high school, and middle school classes so that a student can get through this short-lived period and succeed.
1. Prepare for a recovery lapse
Falling behind classmates can be anxiety-provoking for both children and adults, so discuss the situation before your children start their new classes. If this is their first time in a full-time virtual learning environment, you must work together to establish your plan for your family to adjust to the new start of online school.
Help your students understand that they may initially have more work, but it will be temporary as they catch up with what’s happening in class. It may be helpful to set up a daily schedule or weekly calendar to help them visualize the growth in demand and see how (and when!) they will eventually get back to a more normal pace.
Throughout the school day, encourage your student to take frequent breaks to eat, relax, or play a sport. Don’t forget that we all need time to have fun, so plan family outings and field trips to celebrate their progress throughout their educational process.
2. Talk to the teacher
A student’s online school teacher(s) can be the best source of help in achieving success in virtual school. If you would like to introduce yourself to your child’s teacher, you can write an email or schedule an appointment to talk via video call or telephone.
Teachers can help learning coaches understand what learning tasks their children need to complete and the deadlines to support them with supplementary instructions that can be used as reinforcement if the student has not yet understood the topic.
It is also possible to extend homework, test, or project deadlines if your student is behind, and you can work with the teacher to create a reasonable catch-up schedule; however, keep in mind that policies for this type of schedule may change depending on the school.
Families may be able to help their students complete homework assignments on weekends or during school vacations.
Some schools allow students to skip previously taught content. Private online schools, like MGM Academy, offer flexibility through summer courses or other make-up options. Whatever catch up in online school schedule you create, stay in touch with teachers and communicate with them as needed for assistance.
3. Take time for orientation
When new students are about to begin their school year, they may skip school orientation. However, online school orientation materials can provide a good overview of expectations, responsibilities, and training on navigating the online system and where to get resources. Learning this information early on will save you time in the long run.
4. Delay the extras
While having a variety of courses to choose from is an advantage of high-quality online schools, it’s best to wait until you’re up before adding extracurricular activities to a student’s schedule. Clubs and events are incentives to stick to the schedule and get back on track.
5. Learn to access and use technology tools
When starting an online school, it is critical to have an accessible Internet connection with a reliable broadband network. Ensure your computer software, hardware, and other necessary devices meet the requirements of your school system.
General orientation can help you become familiar with the training system, or there may be specific instructional sessions. Learning coaches and students should consider taking notes and downloading «cheat sheets» provided by the school so that parents can familiarize themselves with the system and ensure a smooth school transition.
6. Use available resources
At private online schools like MGM Academy, much of the instruction in the virtual classroom is recorded and available for students to watch (or re-watch) at any time. Teachers can schedule live review sessions or «office hours» where parents can communicate or meet in the virtual classroom.
Similarly, some educators offer individual or small group meetings in their virtual classrooms for students who require support or supplemental instruction on how to catch up in online school. Online schools also often provide research resources and educational tools for skills practice. Parents can also ask their children’s teachers to provide student guides and assessment rubrics.
7. Get organized
Organizing and planning ahead are crucial tools for any student starting online school, especially those who are late starters. A home classroom should have learning materials, books, and school supplies at the student’s complete disposal. Learning coaches may also want shelves or drawers to store their children’s papers, homework, and tests.
8. Communicate with other online school families
Newcomers to online school can learn a lot from families who have online school experience. If the new school offers in-person field trips or other activities, attend them and try to make those helpful connections. Or inquire about online ways for families to connect.
Learning coaches may need practical suggestions, encouragement, or a listener, but an experienced online school family can be helpful.
As parents focus on helping their children get back on track with their schoolwork, be aware that every family experiences an adjustment period when starting an online school. Having doubts, questions, or feeling overwhelmed when transitioning schools for the first time is natural. But with these tips, if you want to catch up in online school, you’ll be able to get the help you’re looking for. The rewards of personalized online learning from home are closer than you think.