Lessons Learned as a Parent of a Virtually-Schooled Student – #2

Lesson #2: Discipline is required more than ever from student as well as parent.

I’ll start by ushering in some discussion, regarding the discipline required on the part of the student (when virtual schooling). And, I can’t go too long without giving you some lists here and there, so I’ll bring out my points, list-style. I think I’ll also make this post more personalized by referencing myself and my son, Little Man, as I go through this discussion. However, please realize that if the shoe fits, put it on and wear it. These take-aways from my “lessons learned” are for your benefit as well. So, here it goes . . .  

1. Little Man must be disciplined in trekking along with his teacher remotely. This no-brainer means he needs to direct his focused attention on a computer screen several hours a day and try not to get distracted with everything a home setting might bring to his sensory functions, such as sight, sound, smell, and so on. For example, I’m sure I’ve brought some unintentional challenges to his distraction-free workspace when I walk up to him to  periodically look at his computer screen or look over his shoulder as he’s completing assignments in his workbooks. I also know that, because the home office where he schools is not soundproof, he’s probably hearing me in neighboring rooms of the house, even though I try my best to be as quiet as I possibly can. And, let’s not mention the smells that might be emanating from the kitchen when I’m preparing lunch and dinner.   
2. Little Man must be disciplined in fine-tuning his communication skills within his remote learning environment. Although his teacher can see him when he has his camera on, most of the two-way communication is of the audio or verbal persuasion. And then the next major communication channel is through written form. So, I can’t stress enough how important it is for him to be able to express himself proficiently through writing, because that could very well be the only open form of communication that may be working in any given part of the school day for a distance learner. Furthermore, there are times when his teacher will ask him and his classmates to answer questions in the chat or to complete written assignments by sending in snapshots or scanning and emailing responses so that she can see their answers. Or, they may be asked to use their dry-erase boards to respond to a question, write down the answer to the question, and then show their boards to the camera so she can view the responses. So, being able to speak and write in order to effectively communicate his thoughts is highly important in Little Man’s classroom-at-home setting.
3. Little Man must be disciplined in his listening skills. Listening, actually, goes along with the whole communication process and could very well have been included as part of item #2. But, I thought this fact should have a space of its very own. LISTENING is one of those fundamental skills that everyone thinks everyone should automatically have, but being an active listener is truly a developed skill over time. As a 10-year-old, active listening can be hard enough in a physical classroom setting at a brick-and-mortar school. But, let’s up the stakes a notch or two and add in the element of not having a teacher in Little Man’s physical presence who’s monitoring and correcting the shortness of his fifth-grade attention span. Consequently, if my son shirks on his listening abilities instead of strengthens them, then he’s pretty much headed for a disastrous school year. That’s just how critical communication AND LISTENING (within the communication process) truly are. Because as I stated before, the remote learning environment is driven considerably by two-way verbal and written communication between student and teacher. And, a student’s success in comprehending and completing tasks and assignments directly correlates to how disciplined a listener he or she is. Actively listening also takes into account restating opportunities (for clarity’s sake) that Little Man may come across. And here’s what I mean by that. My son might have received a directive on an assignment from his teacher. And in order for him to feel confident in completing the assignment, he might ask a question of his teacher, restating what he heard her give as instructions. In this case, Little Man’s participation in active listening by seeking clarification from his teacher may mean the difference in him being able to appropriately complete his assignment or be completely stuck. It could even mean the difference between him doing well on a test or completely bombing it.
4. And, here’s a biggie. Little Man must be disciplined in his participation in activities and completion of assignments that aren’t as enjoyable or easy for him and that aren’t going to be turned in for a grade or can’t be monitored for completion. Basically, the onus to participate in the activities or complete the assignments is on Little Man in such cases. And when he knows that not doing the task won’t lead to a negative effect on his grade, he might be more inclined to bypass that “extra” work. But here’s the thing; that “extra” or practice work (not turned in for a grade) may indirectly lead to a grade one day when something similar to it shows up on a test somewhere down the line. Needless to say, this scenario is one of those times when Momma Bear steps in and reinforces the importance of Little Man staying on task and completing all work assigned by his teacher (even busywork), whether he enjoys doing it or not and whether it’s turned in for a grade or not. I look at it this way . . . school is currently my son’s full-time job. And as a work-from-home and work-outside-of-home individual, I know for sure that there will always be those tasks that one won’t like about his or her job. It’s inevitable. But the tasks still need to get done for the overall objective to be met. (They’re a means to a favorable end.) So, Little Man might as well learn this lesson early on and embrace it the best he can.     

Since I wasn’t planning on making today’s post a mammoth display, I think I’ll include the discipline required on my part (as a parent of a virtually-schooled student) in next Tuesday’s post. Hope you don’t mind. Anyway, I’m sure it’ll include some relatable reflections and observations, so you’ll want to tune in. As a matter of fact, I’m thinking my learning opportunities may even be similar to what you’re already experiencing. But to test that theory, I’ll be especially curious to find out from you if you’re coming across some of the same eye-opening lessons in your own homestead. (The only way I’ll know is if you use those written communication skills of yours and drop me a line or two or much more.)

In conclusion, I must admit that there are soooooooo many lessons yet to be shared, and they intently stare me straight in the face daily. I’m continuously learning about myself through this adventurous virtual school experience, and I’m not even the student. Who knew?