Engaging children in learning online is sometimes mission impossible. With the distractions of social media and the endless stream of TikTok videos, it's a miracle if kids can keep their minds focused on educational content. Fortunately, some genius tech tools really do help, turning screen time into learning time.
Gone are the days when online learning involved staring at boring PDFs. Websites like BBC Bitesize have changed how children engage with subjects ranging from maths to history. What differentiates these resources is the use of bite-sized chunks of lesson, instant feedback, and progress monitoring in a similar way to playing a game.
Duolingo deserves a special mention here. This language-learning program has managed to make learning addictive in the best sense of the term. With its streak counters, endearing mascot, and short day lessons, kids forget that they're learning at all. The gamification element takes advantage of kids' natural competitive nature while creating genuine language skills.
Usually, the best learning is when kids can create something for themselves. Scratch, designed by MIT, allows kids to create and invent their own games and animations and learn programming concepts in the process. It's graphical, intuitive, and gives kids the satisfaction of seeing their ideas appear on the screen.
For younger children, programs like Tinkercad offer an excellent introduction to 3D modelling. Children can create virtual designs, experiment with shapes, and even make designs print-ready for 3D printing. It provides children with that tactile sense of spatial thinking that worksheets can't match.
One of the biggest surprises of online schooling has been observing how well children work together virtually. Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams for Education have never made group work so easy. Children can work on documents together, comment on each other's work, and present as a team from different locations.
Padlet deserves a mention for providing virtual bulletin boards on which entire classes can post thoughts, images, and ideas. It's perfect for brainstorming classes and group storytelling assignments.
Traditional testing makes pupils fearful without providing useful feedback. Modern assessment tools like Kahoot turn quizzes into exciting multiplayer games where the whole class plays simultaneously. Teachers get instant feedback on where students are lagging behind, while kids enjoy the competitive element.
Flipgrid accomplishes this differently by allowing students to give video responses. It is a great method of practicing language, presentation, and giving all children a voice โ even shy kids who might not dare to raise their hand in traditional classrooms.
The key to success with any one of these resources is finding a balance. Set boundaries around when and for how long children use these websites. Create a designated area for learning that says "this is study time," even if it's just a corner of the kitchen table. If you are a foster carer and your foster child would benefit from their own learning space, use some of your foster carer payments to buy a desk and chair for their room.
Remember that the best technology tools enhance rather than replace quality teaching. They work best when parents and teachers remain actively involved, encouraging success and providing a helping hand when children get stuck.
With the right tools and attitude, online learning can be every bit as engaging and potent as conventional face-to-face learning โ possibly more so.
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