Study Skills for Remote Learning
Please note the content for this article came from our recent webinar featuring Jesse Roselin and Lesley Martin.
Study skills are crucial for academic success, and now that most students are in remote learning environments, it’s important they learn to hone the skills necessary to help them be successful in the digital world. We recently joined forces with Lesley Martin at Class Tracker to provide students and parents with tips for supporting organization and time management for remote learning.
study Skills goals
We recommend that parents and caretakers focus on a few key goals for all students (K-12):
First: want to support kids with developing independence and self-advocacy. For working parents, this is especially important right now because we may not have as much time to provide oversight for online classes.
Second: we want to ease transitions from one class or activity to the next and avoid meltdowns and resistance as much as possible. This includes providing them with an organizes space and easy access to the books and materials they’ll need to succeed. Especially with the younger-aged kids, meltdowns can be inevitable and we just have to forgive ourselves, but we want to at least try and set everyone up for success and have a plan for what to do when students hit a roadblock.
Third: we want to ensure that our kids are completing and submitting all of their assignments on time, and managing communication tools during distance learning.
Fostering Independence and self-advocacy
In order to help K-5 kids become more independent learners in their remote program, we recommend the following:
For younger kids, it’s important to help them practice turning on the computer and logging into Zoom, showing them how to do this for themselves instead of relying on an adult.
Parents & caretakers should print hard copies of login and password information along with a daily schedule and put this somewhere next to the work area. Also, especially for older students, consider Google Calendar with Zoom Links
Don’t fear redundancy: print extra schedules or use digital calendars (Skylight, iPad, etc) and put in kitchen or other common areas.
Use Alexa, Google home, or similar device to remind students of start times. You can replicate a bell schedule using technology to ease transitions (and your responsibility for them) from one class or activity to the next.
Make sure materials are all at arm’s reach. Ideally create a “box” for students with supplies like pens, pencils, scissors, etc., so they know where everything is located and can access it independently as needed.
Older students should know how to contact their teachers directly by email and practice emailing them in case they need to ask questions about assignments and/or ask for extensions.
Preventing meltdowns
This is more for younger-aged students, but even the older students can hit roadblocks that lead to shutting down and ineffective learning. Sometimes meltdowns are inevitable, especially when students feel frustrated or unmotivated to learn. However, we have some ideas around how to try and prevent meltdowns, or at the very least, have a plan for when they occur.
Kids can get most emotional and frustrated when they feel like they don’t have a plan for the moments when they get stuck. To avoid this frustration, collaborate with them in advance to come up with something that will work for everyone. Also, make sure to designate a space & activities for breaks because breaks are just as important as learning, and make sure kids are well fed while they’re working. Prepare snacks in advance and even offer popcorn or some other healthy treat as a reward for engaging in independent work.
Working parents
Working parents in particular should come up with plans for their K-5 kids so they’re not getting interrupted every five minutes. Here are some ideas:
The “try three times” method means they know they need to try whatever their doing three times before asking you for help.
Create a “help box” on the desk where students can put assignments that they need help to complete or submit.
Set office hours the same way a teacher might do when they can come talk with you and ask questions.
Use color coded signs to hang on the door. Amazon Link.
For older kids, set up text messaging so they can text you when you are in a meeting. They don’t need a cell phone to text. Set up text messaging with an icloud email or message through google.
Completing and submitting assignments
When it comes to helping kids complete and submit assignments, there’s no getting around needing to know your school’s systems, whether it’s Google Classroom, Seesaw, Clever, or another online system, it’s worth parents spending a half hour navigating these systems so they know exactly how to access what (and how to do it quickly).
It’s also worth figuring out a digital filing system on your desktop or in the cloud so that you can easily access & store digital files as needed.
accountability
No matter what age the student, it’s important to set up a system of accountability. Students should know:
What are the tasks?
How (and when) will I complete them?
How will I confirm they’re done?
How do I submit the completed work?
In order to make sure students are staying on top of the answers to these questions, consider the following:
Daily check-ins before & after school
Central task lists
Outside support (tutors, teachers, grandparents, etc)
In conclusion
It’s more important than ever now that students know how to keep organized in their digital learning environment. A little bit of prep and planning can go a long way to help them eventually integrate better study habits into their daily routines.
To learn more about how Pacific Preparatory can help, contact us today.
For more information about Lesley Martin and Class Tracker, please visit her webpage. Lesley has worked both in the classroom as a social studies teacher and one-on-one as an academic coach, focused on teaching teens organizational, time management, and executive function skills. She has authored two books: "Make the Grade" and "Where's My Stuff?: The Ultimate Teen Organizing Guide." Her company, called Class Tracker, sells planners for students that are specifically designed based on her experience in supporting kids with organization.