Image via Adobe Stock
No pupil wants to fall behind with their schoolwork because of the lockdown. Here’s how they can stay top of the class with online learning.
Image via Adobe Stock
Since the announcement of the nationwide lockdown, schools across the country have been closed to curb the spread of the global pandemic. The obvious worry is that pupils will fall behind on their schoolwork — online learning to the rescue.
The government, however, have been on the ball supplying pupils with online learning services to stay on track during lockdown. This way, pupils are able to study from home — no sign of lockdown blues here.
The following online services for pupils have been made available on the Department of Basic Education (DBE) website:
Then there’s also the Department of Basic Education (DBE) TV channel. In partnership with eMedia Investments, the DBE will be broadcasting educational support for pupils and teachers on the Openview HD (OVHD) platform — channel 122.
This channel is available free of any subscriptions and will broadcast initially for a period of six months from 1 April to 30 September 2020.
There are also free online services at Worksheet Cloud. One can browse available online classrooms picking the child’s grade. Join a class from your computer, tablet or cellphone — no registration required and watch the online lesson. It’s as easy as that.
According to the government website, routines are important because they give children a sense of security and help them develop patterns of self-discipline.
“A predictable routine allows children to feel safe, and to develop a sense of mastery in a safe secure environment. As this sense of mastery is strengthened, it then persuades a child to tackle larger challenges,” it said.
Establishing a family routine with regular mealtimes, bedtimes, homework time, and outdoor play and exercise time is important. Sharing time with family in a structured routine gives a child a sense of meaning, belonging and security.
“It is a parental responsibility to make the home a suitable environment for online learning. Part of this includes ensuring that there is space for the child to study. Additionally, having a set time and space to do homework, kids learn how to sit themselves down to accomplish a task,” it added.
To encourage pupils to take ownership of and responsibility for their own learning, the use of the following approaches (used by teachers in best-performing schools) may be of assistance: