Remote Learning Advice for Virtual Classrooms | Winward Academy

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Remote Learning Advice for Families Dreading a Return to the Virtual Classroom

For millions of Americans, the abrupt shift to remote learning last Spring due to COVID-19 relied on a haphazard jumble of virtual solutions – most of which fell decidedly short of the mark.

The summer offered a short breather for educators, students and parents to rethink their approach to digital learning. Even for students in schools that are reopening this Fall, remote learning will likely continue in one form or another. That means it’s time to move the conversation from how to merely implement distance learning to how to make it successful.

Quality instruction is not reliant on the physical classroom, nor does learning at home mean we must lower our standards. I have spent years analyzing how to create an effective digital learning environment for students of all backgrounds and income levels. High-quality virtual instruction shares these important characteristics:

  • Sequenced Lessons

The first thing I look for in an online learning experience is whether there is an order assigned to the material presented to students. Just like in-person teaching, virtual lessons should be laid out sequentially, building skillsets gradually and laying the foundation for more complex material.

  • Active Learning

The greatest risk in the shift to online learning is students will passively watch lessons, going through the motions without building knowledge. Taking notes, highlighting text, and writing questions in the margins are all signs that a student is paying attention and engaging with the material. Teachers can still encourage these hallmarks of active learning in many ways, including providing guidance on taking notes – an important skill for college and career! – or having students turn in their notes for feedback.  

  • A Growth Mindset

In any quality learning experience, students should be encouraged to learn from their mistakes. This could mean students are asked to re-do questions they got wrong, write every single step to a math equation, or revise an English paper several times to ensure every spelling and grammar mistake is fixed. Another effective technique is having students explain a concept in their own words or teach it to a sibling. This process pushes students to review material until they feel confident that they understand it well enough to explain to others.

  • Teacher-Student Connections

Creating opportunities for teachers to connect with students is critical in the virtual format. Recorded lessons can be paired with discussion groups moderated by a teacher to give students an opportunity to ask questions. Students should take advantage of “Office Hours” opportunities to connect face-to-face with their teacher to ask questions, seek help and get timely feedback.

  • A Structured School Day  

In an ideal world, students would engage their minds for the same amount of time at home as they did when they were at school, roughly 6-7 hours per day. This should include a mix of computer-based learning, pen and paper study, and reading.

  • An Optimal Learning Environment

Once school resumes, it’s important that students actually sit at a table or desk, with as much natural light as possible, and not attempt to complete assignments from bed. They should put phones and other distractions away and be prepared to take notes.

As the school year starts with some form of distance learning, let’s set our sights high and recognize that quality education doesn’t need to stop when we exit the classroom. The wonders of learning abound, even if we have to dig deeper to overcome some of the challenges posed by learning remotely.


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About Winward Academy – Winward Academy is one of the world’s leading innovators in the online education space, providing web-based academic support that enhances students’ knowledge, confidence, and competitiveness in middle and high school academics and in college applications. We help thousands of students every year by providing personalized, comprehensive ACT and SAT test preparation and extensive math curriculum support. The Winward Academy learning platform honors over 40 years of education and cognitive psychology research, incorporating proven techniques that promote effective learning.

Winward Academy’s unmatched reputation is wholly attributable to our students’ exceptional success and to the trust earned among students, parents, and schools around the world.

Jennifer Winward, Ph.D.

Dr. Jennifer Winward is a renowned college instructor, a distinguished 20-year veteran of high school tutoring, and the founder and lead instructor of Winward Academy. She earned her Ph.D. specializing in adolescent brain development and adolescent learning. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and graduated summa cum laude with highest distinction honors. Dr. Winward has been widely recognized for her academic success, published research, and philanthropic efforts with awards from the President of the United States, the California State Assembly, Rotary International, the Marin County School Administrator Association, the American Psychological Association, and the National Science Foundation.