The COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to adapt to a new normal— online learning.
Now, parents need to be more involved than ever in their children’s education. In this EDU Blog, we will explore the benefits of parent participation in online learning. We will address parents’ challenges and ways to increase parental engagement during virtual classes and learning activities.
Parent Involvement in online learning
Parent involvement in online learning simply means parents proactively engaging in their children’s distance education. It covers a variety of activities that parents may take to assist children in digital classrooms and other online learning activities.
There are many ways a parent can get involved and support online learners. Some examples are:
- Monitoring child’s progress.
Providing academic support and resource
- Communicating regularly with educators and school staff.
Participating in virtual parent-teacher conferences and meetings.
Creating a conducive learning environment at home.
The impact of parent support in online learning
Parents play a critical role in supporting their child’s learning, on-site or online. They can provide emotional and academic support by creating a conducive environment for their child to learn, monitoring the learning progress, and helping the children to stay motivated.
Plus, parents can serve as advocates for their child’s education, communicating with teachers and school administrators to ensure their child’s needs are met.
There are various benefits of parental involvement in education. When parents are involved in child education, the child is more likely to succeed academically, have better attendance rates, and exhibit improved behavior.
These benefits are amplified in the context of online learning, where parents can help their children stay focused and provide additional resources and guidance when needed. Supporting online education is also an excellent opportunity for parents to bond with their children. It can create positive learning experiences and good memories.
Challenges parents face when supporting online education
Parent involvement in online learning has many benefits, but it can also be challenging. Some of the notable challenges parents face while supporting online education are:
Work-school balance: When children learn online, it is more difficult for parents to supervise their children’s learning, especially when parents work or face other jobs.
Lack of resources: Not all parents have the resources to purchase the necessary equipment, internet connection, and equipment to support their child’s online learning.
- Technical difficulty: Parents may also need help understanding the technology used for online learning. They may need more skills or resources to help children with school work.
However, these challenges should not discourage parents from participating in their child’s education. Overcoming these obstacles can help with parent-child bonding while teaching the value of education.
Ways to increase parent participation during virtual classes
To increase parent involvement during virtual classes and learning activities, parents can refer to the following actions:
Attend virtual parent-teacher conferences and communicate with teachers regularly to stay informed about their child’s progress. This will also allow parents to understand the expectations and requirements of their child’s online learning experience.
Please set up a designated learning space for the child at home that is free from distractions. This will create an environment conducive to learning and help their child stay focused.
- Schedule regular check-ins with their child to discuss their schoolwork and provide support. This will help parents monitor their child’s progress and identify areas where their child may need extra attention.
- Encourage their child to participate in online discussions and activities with their peers to promote social interaction. This will help their child stay engaged and build relationships with their classmates, despite the virtual learning environment.
- Seek additional resources and educational materials to supplement their child’s virtual learning. This can include online learning platforms, tutoring services, and educational apps.
Parent participation plays a crucial role in supporting online learners.
While it can be challenging, parents can overcome these obstacles by staying informed, creating a conducive learning environment, and offering emotional and academic support. By working together, parents and teachers can help students succeed in their virtual classrooms and prepare them for a bright future.
In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever for parents to take an active role in their child’s education. By doing so, parents can ensure that their child has the support and resources they need to succeed in their academic pursuits, regardless of the learning environment.
So partner with EDU Passport, and sign up to join our community for more free resources. Together, we can support online learners and give them the best possible chance for success.
