Tips from a Teacher: How to Benefit from Online Lessons

Online lessons are like a rising tide.
They are going to lift all boats.
~ Anant Agarwal

Years ago, people would not have considered the value of online learning. Today, the benefits of online instruction are virtually limitless. Students can study at their own pace and from any location. They have the option of studying at home or on the go. They may revise lessons as often as necessary. They can review previously-acquired knowledge at their leisure. They can practise learning at their own pace by taking exams, quizzes and tests. In fact, they can study any subject without being constrained by the confines of a classroom. The best part about online education is that it is both accessible and affordable for students who possess the necessary technology, Internet access, and technical expertise. Effectively, it has solved many problems for us: closing the gaps created by geographical barriers and time constraints.

But if you doubt the effectiveness of online lessons, it could mostly revolve around the fact that it is not always as effective as face-to-face instruction. Perhaps you might think there is no way to ensure that students are carrying out their assigned tasks or are not distracted. There are so many distractions that it’s difficult for students to focus on what the teacher is saying. 

As a teacher myself, we must be prepared and willing to take on additional responsibilities in order to provide our students with a high-quality education online. 

“They need to be challenged in a way that they’re required to think critically and to create — that’s important because they have so much access to the internet now (and hence vast amounts of information). Schools and educators must be pushed to focus more on developing how they teach as they engage digital natives in a way that’s consistent with their world — anchored in technology and connectedness. There is no lamentation that will make sense. Technology is here to stay and it will always progress.”

~ Carean Oh, Writers Studio, article on Digital Natives,

If you’re ready to embark on an online learning adventure, Carean Oh Writers Studio and I agree  that students should harness on these benefits:

Online learning is a flexible and self-directed form of education.

Students may occasionally be hesitant to ask their teachers to repeat information shared in class.   

Online classes range from scheduled classes that run live online or classes that are self-paced. In the latter, they can review the syllabus and attempt to comprehend it at their own pace of learning. 

Better time management

When it comes to studying, a student may learn to be self-sufficient. Allowing them to create a schedule that works best for them and allowing them to manage their own schoolwork. They are, in fact, quite capable of concentrating on the learning process and engaging with the subject matter. This is provided parents connect with them and keep a close eye on the way their time is managed. Of course, it is impossible for a child to initiate time management on their own. 

Improve Virtual Communication

Participating in virtual discussions will help a child learn how to present to others more confidently. Being a participant in an online class is a good practice ground for collaborative work. Instead of being intimidated by a physical group, the idea of being behind a screen is less daunting. Also, clarity in communication can be honed since one has to be even clearer in delivering ideas online without the nuances of body language being observable.

Acquire New Technical Skills Necessary for Online Education

If students believe that online education is right for them, they must embrace technology. Students will almost certainly be required to access learning materials online, become familiar with new tools and software, and troubleshoot problems on an impromptu basis. Plenty of housekeeping skills can be picked up:, organising their files, labeling documents for submission, arranging digital archives in their PCs.

As parents, we all want to raise kids who are smart and focused, especially in a world where digital distraction seems to be inescapable. (Even tech titans like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates have strategies for limiting their children’s screen time.) As an instructor at Stanford’s Graduate School.  Nir Eyal is an author of the international bestseller, “Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products.” He writes, consults and teaches about the intersection of psychology, technology and business. Most recently, he raised concerns about the need for parents to constantly monitor their children as they go online for lessons and other activities. The key is trust and autonomy. He believes that there is no way parents could always chaperone their children during an online lesson in the long run. “Becoming indestructible is the most important skill for the 21st century — and it’s one that many parents fail to teach their kids. Parents need to understand that it’s okay to put their kids in charge, because it’s only when they learn to practice monitoring their own behavior that they learn how to manage their own time and attention.”

Why? Because in the future, there will be two kinds of people in the world: Those who let their attention and lives be controlled and coerced by others and those who proudly call themselves “indistractable.”

Home schooling was not as popular previously, but in the aftermath of the pandemic, many parents opted for online education due to the difficulties associated with physical interaction. Additionally, teachers are attempting to provide the best possible online learning environment for their students. 

~ Sheila Mae

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Sheila Mae and Carean Oh, Writers Studio are both online teachers with a high engagement rate. Their lessons have met with positive reviews from students. At one point, Carean Oh, Writers Studio held an online English lesson for 64 twelve-year-old students. Sheila teaches online frequently and has received a high rating from the school she works with. 

Carean Oh, Writers Studio, an educational consultant, provides helpful advice on effective learning strategies for student learners. Drop a comment below if you would like to add interesting perspectives about the topic of online learning for children.

By Carean Oh, Writers Studio, Writers Studio School of English