How to Help Students Switch to Online School

Enrolling in a new school can be an exciting time for both students and their families, especially if they are making the switch to online school. Whether the student is transferring from an in-person school or starting school for the first time, here are 15 easy tips to make a smooth transition into online school for families with elementary school, middle school, and high school students.

Tips for a Smooth Online School Transition for All Ages

While educational needs can vary depending on what age and grade level the student is, there are a handful of common needs that elementary, middle, and high school students can benefit from once they’ve switched to online school:

Establish a Consistent Daily Routine

Due to the flexibility of online school, families can work in learning during the times of day that are the most convenient for their student’s needs. While this can be a great way for families to work daily learning around medical appointments or other important commitments, without a formal start and stop time that students are used to following at an in-person school students can fall behind if they don’t have a schedule to follow. A consistent learning routine can help provide structure for students learning online and may lead them to develop a sense of responsibility and self-discipline. Families transitioning to online school can work with their student and their instructors to create a daily schedule so they can keep track of important dates and reminders. The schedule should be posted somewhere central, where the student and their family can see it.

Create a Dedicated Learning Space

Developing a learning space in the home is essential for keeping online school students focused and distraction-free during the school day. While the space does not need to be a permanent fixture or a dedicated room, some of the key things to consider for a home classroom setup include adequate lighting and comfortable seating in a low-traffic area so students are undisturbed while attending class or doing homework.

Learn the Required Technology Before the First Day

Before a student’s first day of online school, both they and their Learning Coach should become familiar with specific skills like typing and accessing learning materials to help them feel more at ease. Families might also consider creating technology rules so their student won’t get distracted when they are supposed to focus on learning. 

Set Clear Goals and Expectations

When starting at an online school, it can be confusing at first for students to know what they are supposed to do. An easy way for families to help is to establish a plan for what students should do—not only day-to-day but all semester long. Setting up realistic SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time bound) goals can help make larger projects feel manageable and give their Learning Coach something to measure their progress against as they complete their schoolwork.

Foster Open Communication

As families are the primary support system for their online school student, parents and Learning Coaches are encouraged to focus on parent-teacher collaboration to show students that they have a team of people they can turn to if they are stuck on homework, need additional support, or have questions. Learning Coaches working closely with teachers also can show students how to approach teamwork, communication, and transparency while keeping everyone on the same page.

Virtual Learning Tips for Elementary School Students

Students who are making the transition to online learning in elementary school often require more hands-on involvement from their Learning Coach. Here’s how families can help their elementary school student start online elementary school strong:

Encourage Social Interaction

Even though your student will be learning from home, online school still gives students opportunities to socialize and interact with their peers. At the elementary school level, this is often through collaborative games, in-class interactions, or through playdates, both in-person and remote. To ensure in-person socialization, families of online school K-5 students should carve out time for activities where their child can spend time with other children to develop essential interpersonal skills by participating in local clubs, events, and sports.

Model Positive Learning Behaviors and Habits

Without other kids in the room to learn from, families should help their online school student develop classroom etiquette by modeling good habits for them. Small day-to-day interactions can teach them how to manage their emotions if they’re in a stressful situation, when to ask for help if they don’t understand something, or how to handle conflict. For very early learners who may need more help learning how to stay focused on their tasks, Learning Coaches may want to create a reward system to keep young students focused and motivated while learning at home.

Support Their Independence with Guided Freedom

Virtual school fosters independence in a number of ways, including more interpersonal interactions for students. Learning Coaches can help smooth the transition into online school by letting their student ask lots of questions and take their time trying different learning methods until they find what works for them. By giving young students room to change and adapt their learning to their own preferences, families can help instill independence in young learners and grow their self-confidence.

Virtual Learning Tips for Middle School Students

In middle school, students go through a number of developmental milestones, including becoming more independent, exploring new interests, and experiencing changes in their social lives and self-image. Learning Coaches can help them handle these changes and the transition to online middle school with these tips:

Teach Organization Skills

Starting middle school typically means classes and expectations become more complex. In an online learning environment, middle school students are expected to keep track of their own assignments and learning materials, which means keeping an organized learning space. Families and Learning Coaches can help their middle school student keep track of their schoolwork by working with them to create color-coded folders either physically or by using digital tools to make sure whatever they need for school that day is easy to find.

Promote Safe, Responsible Internet Use

Even though virtual school takes place within the safety of the online learning classroom, kids will likely explore more of the internet as they grow older and interact with peers outside of school or start learning more independently. Families and Learning Coaches should take some time before switching to online middle school to talk to their child online safety and privacy and the warning signs of online bullying.

Encourage New Interests

In middle school, students’ tastes evolve, and they become interested in new things. In virtual school, students can explore new interests by joining clubs to not only develop healthy social skills but also get involved in their community—both in person and in their new virtual school.

Helping High School Students Adjust to Online School

When helping students know how to switch to online high school more smoothly, families may want to focus on strategies that can guide their student to plan for the future:

Speak with School Counselors Early

High school is when students start to seriously consider important questions, such as “What do I want to do after graduation?” and “What should I study?” In online high school, students often have access to school counselors and other career and college planning resources to take them through what they need to achieve their future goals when it comes to college entrance exams, transcripts, college visits, and more. 

Balance Flexibility with Accountability

As online school encourages self-motivated, independent learning, families can help their student stay organized and motivated by holding them accountable for their own schoolwork. Teaching students responsibility early on helps them learn confidence, how to bounce back from mistakes, and how to keep going in the face of challenges, which can help give them a good foundation as they prepare for the adult world.

Gain Work Experience Through Jobs or Internships

Virtual school offers your student the chance to try a variety of traditional and non-traditional career options to find what they’re passionate about. Besides the responsibility of holding a job, high school students can also learn new lessons about financial responsibility and scheduling; and since virtual school students can schedule lessons throughout the day, students can make decisions about when they want to take shifts, job shadow, attend their internship, and when to study. and when to study.

Find Purpose Through Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way for any student to try new things and build experience, but for a virtual school student, it can also provide more socialization and inspire them to contribute to their communities with purpose and meaning. Help your student look for volunteer opportunities virtually or in-person that are aligned with their values.

Thinking About Switching to Virtual School?

Explore how the resources and teachers available at Connections Academy help make switching to online school easier. Download our free eGuide to learn more.