Combating Learning Loss this New Year

Combating Learning Loss this New Year

The ups and downs of the Covid-19 pandemic has hit everyone hard, especially when it comes to the educational system. Our ability to adapt has been tested these last few years. With most schools returning to in-class learning at the start of this year, we hoped to provide our students, teachers and parents a semblance of normalcy. However, with the emergence of variants and cases starting to surge, it has become a struggle to keep up with in-classroom teaching, forcing many to revert back to a hybrid model, or virtual-only learning.

The constant classroom disruptions have made it difficult to combat the backslide in learning. In our February 15, 2021 post, we offer some resources to help battle Zoom fatigue, such as helpful tips for parents and setting realistic expectations. Learn more here. In our March 1, 2021 post, we provide resources to help students learn how to email with their teacher in order to thrive in the virtual classroom. Learn more here. In this post, we want to address tips on how to combat learning loss many students may be experiencing due to their struggles with the current pandemic. Here are our top 3 tips to reversing the pandemic slide in the new year:

1. Provide reviews of past topics to see what was lost.
2. Provide outside resources for additional help.
3. Provide more one-on-one time with students who are struggling.

Having the ability to navigate the constant changes with classroom learning is difficult. Moving from in-class to virtual learning at a moment’s notice may be necessary, but is in no way easy. It can be difficult on some families who do not have the same resources as others. It can be difficult on the teachers who must now re-work their entire lesson plans. It can be especially difficult on the students, who miss out on learning social skills when separated from their peers. In our May 11, 2020 post, we address these hindrances to parents who in most cases are forced to take on the role of educator while their kids learn from home. The most important thing to remember is to set up a routine. Kids thrive on routines. School is a routine. Classes start at a specific time, followed by scheduled breaks. Establishing this format in the home is a great way to help students adapt to virtual learning. Learn more tips from our Guide to Parents here.

For our teachers, check out our June 8, 2020 post on how to use technology to improve learning. We help you get started with Google Classroom. This is a perfect platform to use when teaching from home. Teachers can create their own lesson plans with resources they want to share with their students remotely, including our best-selling Life Skills series, now available as Google Slide resources.

For students, check out our August 3, 2020 post to help them acclimate to a virtual classroom or hybrid model. We provide tips for students, teachers and parents to help cope with a virtual learning model. For instance, teachers can record their lessons rather than stream them live. This is great for households with poor internet connections, and also great for students to pause and proceed through the lesson at their own pace. For a blended learning model, we provide tips on how to stay safe and help stop the spread so in-person learning can continue. Get all the information here.

Our goal for entering 2022 is to hopefully return to some normalcy in the classroom; however, it’s important to be prepared in the event that this changes. We as humans are exceptional at adapting to the changing environment. By being prepared and taking proper precautions, we will hopefully have a strong return to the classroom this new year.