Schools are closed until May 20th and students are having to adapt to online learning. Adapting to this change could be difficult, but it’s possible that most students will actually knock it right out of the ballpark. For the students who stress about this quite often and need a guide, here are some strategies to get you by.

The first strategy is to practice. There are many ways that any student can practice good study habits right at home.  Start by taking one assignment from a class that you enjoy the most, follow the directions as stated, whether that be on Google Classroom or email. Instead of using a phone, it’s more beneficial to use a laptop or computer to stay more organized and to allow more breathing room between schoolwork and free time.  If you need to, Khan Academy offers tons of helpful steps for kids to get the hang of online learning. Practice always makes perfect.

The second strategy is to establish daily schedules. According to Jennifer Snelling and Diana Fingal, authors of “10 Strategies for Online Learning,” expectations should be clear about when teachers and students need to be logged on. A full day in front of a screen is a lot for kids, especially for families who may only be sharing one device. Luckily, Ledyard High School is providing students with chromebooks who need them, which helps them manage their schoolwork better. Students should make up a schedule on their calendar or in their notebook on what times “they need to log in, whether that be in the early morning, during the afternoon, or in the evening,” and how long they need to spend to get all their work done for that particular day. This is another good way to stay balanced and in check with their learning. 

The third strategy is to ensure digital equity. Jenna Conan, a technology integration specialist at All Saints’ Episcopal School in Fort Worth, Texas states, “Most families don’t have one computer per person. During a school shutdown, parents may also be working from home, meaning several people could be competing for one or two computers.” Therefore, students should make sure that online apps required for their schoolwork work on mobile devices.

Lastly, address the emotional toll. It’s indisputably important for students to check in with teachers, and for teachers to check in with their students. It could be hard to take on online learning through this pandemic, so reviewing not only academics but also feelings from time to time is important. Rushton Hurley, an ISTE member and founder of Next Vista, claims you should, “Take regular breaks, make time to exercise, keep to a regular sleep schedule, limit distractions when possible, set daily and weekly goals, and make time to socialize, even if it’s virtually.” Always take a breather and take this one step at a time.

Rachael Herrick, Staff Writer

Senior Rachael Herrick is a staff writer for the 2019-2020 Colonel. She is a very sweet and responsible student who works at Strawberry Park every weekend. When she isn’t working, she’s either with her cat or outside adoring nature.