With the transition to online learning, parents of high schoolers are likely hearing about the platforms children’s teachers are using for online instruction, the types of work assigned, and the required commitment from students. The terrain for our children has become treacherous, often without a roadmap, leaving them to navigate an uncertain path. For teachers, finding the right balance between online instruction and independent assignments is also uncharted territory. Some teachers are assigning an overabundance of work; other teachers are literally handing the reins to available online resources. A brief glance at the accrued grades and even the missing assignments of our children since the onset of our captivity may provide insight to a critical question: Is my child an independent learner?
One of the hidden treasures of “sheltering in place” is the opportunity for students to pursue independent learning. How often and well they chase this opportunity is important for parents to track, particularly for high school students, because it is a college readiness marker.
As I have watched students transition from high school to college, a common pitfall for new collegians has been an inability to manage time. In college, time initially seems more abundant. Classes are scheduled often at the students’ whim - for later in the day, spaced well apart, with Fridays free – opening windows of available time. Moreover, required submitted work is minimal. How well students fill available time and chunk studying can determine success, much as how effectively your high school children manage their study and free time at home during this quarantine will determine their success.
Effective independent learners demonstrate intellectual curiosity, self-discipline, organization, and direction. Here are a few suggestions to cultivate improved independent learning, especially if your child is struggling. Please note that these efforts will only be effective if implemented collaboratively. Your child, after all, must be an integral part of the process to foster his or her independence.
· Instill intellectual curiosity. Insist upon the pursuit of a passion for pure joy alone: art, music, reading, exercise, and/or research. Note that gaming and binge-watching are not options.
· Require self-discipline and organization. Insist on a clean and uncluttered workspace. Attention during any online instruction is critical. Removing cell phones and other distractions from the workspace can enable more meaningful learning, improved focus, and efficient use of time.
· Provide a white board for to-do lists. A white board offers several positive advantages. The student can visualize what must be accomplished, the student experiences the satisfaction associated with erasing or crossing off assignments upon completion, and the parent can track progress. For the child averse to a planner of any sort, a white board is a good organizational starting point.
· Plan and dream. Help develop a reasonable schedule with your child that sets forth the hours dedicated to study and work. Engage in dreaming about the future and in academic and personal goal setting.
How sad will it be if, when we come to the end of our captivity, we have little to show for it? Hopefully, our families are bonding and learning better. If not, let’s do what we can to make that happen.