Ten Tips from Teachers to Encourage Successful Distance Learning

written by: Erin Wynne, Assistant Head of School for Institutional Advancement

At Eagle Hill, we are four days in to delivering our distance learning platform which includes live online instruction. Our teachers have experienced a great deal of success in these early days, and the feedback from the students has been positive and enthusiastic. Together we have compiled a list of tips based on our early observations to help ensure students’ success as they adjust to this new learning environment. This is a time, more than ever, when schools and parents must partner together to successfully deliver the education our children deserve. We hope these tips are helpful!

Dedicated Study Areas - Students having their own quiet study space is important. If you have multiple children, we recommend a designated/separate space for each to complete their work, if possible. This will not only provide a more focused environment, but will also reinforce that when a student is in this particular space during school hours, it is time to get to work. This is particularly necessary when students have video classes that they need to take part in; the less distractions and background noise, the better for all.
While having our furry friends around is one of the benefits to learning from home, please remind your children to put pets outside of the study space to avoid distractions for your child and the other students on the call.
Establish a routine for your child that includes specific wake up and bed times, as well as mealtimes. We know this can be a challenge (believe us, we know!), but the closer a daily routine resembles the traditional school environment, the easier it is to transition into traditional school activities.
Create an evening “study hall” time to ensure your child has completed all of his/her work for the day. This follows along the lines of creating a routine for your child, and is something many have been experiencing nightly at boarding schools and home prior to this crisis.
Parents should refrain from being in the room while your child is taking part in a live online class. If that is not possible, please be mindful that you’ll potentially be visible and audible to the whole class!
Please ask students to be mindful of their backgrounds while video chatting. Find a consistent location that is prepared for learning and public viewing, free of distracting decoration, movement, or sound.
Know your child’s schedule. Understand when your child should be getting classwork done and when they are expected to be taking part in live classroom sessions. Your partnership in making sure the schedule is observed is key. While it may seem invasive at first, please remember that while they are here away at school there are no shortage of faculty reminding them of their responsibilities.
Please be sure to read all of the notes and communications coming from the school. Information is constantly being updated during this crisis to make sure you stay up-to-date. If your child has a note system that allows you to keep track of ensuring assignments and deadlines are met on time, tune in!
Encourage your child to put his or her phone away during live class times. Remind her that it would not be allowed during traditional school time, and they have already proven to themselves that they can, in fact, survive without it.
Be interested in what your child is learning. Ask questions. Not only will they likely be excited to talk about it, but knowing you’re following along is sure to boost their accountability!

The importance of delivering a high quality distance learning platform has been at the forefront of our minds throughout the design and implementation phases. However, perhaps our single greatest take-away from the first three days of live, online instruction has been that our students see us as their second families, and they need and want us with them during these uncertain times. Online learning is providing so much more to our students, and our families.

Back

What is Learning Diversity About?

Learning Diversity is a blog hosted by Eagle Hill School where educators, students, and other members of the LD community regularly contribute posts and critical essays about learning and living in spaces that privilege the inevitability of human diversity.

The contributors of Learning Diversity come together to engage our readers from a variety of disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, biological sciences and mathematics, athletics, and residential life. Embracing learning diversity means understanding and respecting our students as whole persons.

Ten Tips from Teachers to Encourage Successful Distance Learning
Distance learning can have its share of challenges, but students can succeed with the right tools. Check out these tips for learning while at home.
Find Joy in Reading
Find joy in reading—every day! #classroombookaday promotes the goal of reading aloud a picture book every day of the school year to students of any age.
The Language of Math: Using SWI to teach Math Vocabulary
In this blog, learn how Structured Word Inquiry can help students understand the language of Math.
Near Pixar-Quality Images Emerging from Animation Class
In this blog post, Eagle Hill Students are learning how to create Pixar-quality animation techniques. Check out some of their professional quality work!
Accepted to College—Now What!
Once college acceptance letters arrive, all of a sudden it's time to start to make big decisions. This blog post offers some suggestions on deciding which college to attend and what to do next.
Supporting Children with Diverse Learning Profiles
Children all learn differently. In this blog post, Tina Gregory offers ideas how to better support your child and equip them with the tools that they will need to succeed.
Organic Entrepreneurship
In this blog, discover how by setting "traps" to catch students in the act of creating original ideas, they often develop into a process called Organic Entrepreneurship.
Discovering New Math and Hidden Talents at Our Public Puzzle Board
Eagle Hill students work on solving all types of puzzles on the Puzzle Board and it has turned out to be a place of pure enjoyment!
New Educational Software for Learning Diverse Students
Eagle Hill students are filling in the gaps of educational software.
Spatial Thinkers Will Literally Help Re-MAKE the World
When a spatially-gifted student encounters 3D design software for the first time, it can be life-changing. Eagle Hill Students are on the forefront of re-Making the world!
Reinforcing Grammar with Computer Programming
How can computer programming reinforce grammar and other skills? Dr. McCaffrey explains how his Introduction to Coding with Python class is writing programs to generate grammatical sentences.
Creating the Adjacent Possible
Dr. Riendeau discusses the idea of the adjacent possible as a way to understand creativity and the vision behind the design for the PJM STEM Center and academic complex.
Communicating With Your Teen
Communicating with your teen may seem impossible at times. However, interacting with your child doesn’t have to be too complicated. Here are some tips to help communicate more effectively and help build a stronger relationship.
What are YOUR Goals for the Summer?
Summer is just around the corner! It's not too late to start making plans to keep the momentum going while still enjoying summer vacation.

This blog discusses ways students with learning differences can keep learning when school is over, without ruining summer (because everyone needs a break) [READ THE BLOG].
What I Hope To See in the New Makerspace
Eagle Hill School's state-of-the-art STEM building opening in September 2019, will include new makerspaces. We are currently redeveloping classes and reimagining opportunities that might now exist in the new space. In addition, many courses, not only in science, but other areas of study will incorporate more technology into their curricula and use the makerspace to execute these objectives.
Teaching and Learning in the Adhocratic School
This blog reviews the radical notion that learning disabilities are not found in the individual but are actually a societal construct that aims to fit people into a bureaucratic structure where they are either abled or disabled.
Every Student Can Read - Unique Approaches to Teaching Reading
Teaching to a student's strength requires knowing how a student learns best. This blog highlights some of the unique approaches Eagle Hill uses to help students develop a lifelong passion for reading.
Remember It's Their College Years, Not Yours
Jed Geary, Director of College Counseling, comments on the recent college admissions scandal.
Assistive Technology in the Classroom
At Eagle Hill, we are firm believers in the use of assistive technology. Assistive technology tools can help teachers more effectively engage and empower diverse learners. In this blog, we will demystify some of the misconceptions of using AT in the classroom.
Reading More through Independent Reading
As humans, we tend to enjoy activities that come naturally or easily. So how do we encourage students with dyslexia to read? We have some tips to improve reading skills in students with dyslexia.
Grit Lit: Stories of Resilience
Providing students with a window into the gritty lives of characters in their reading and considering grit and resilience, we are able to make better predictions about who will succeed in college and in which environment.
STRUCT +URE/ +ED WORD + INQUIRE/ +Y (SWI)
i before e = weird!
Is written English logical and understandable? Structured Word Inquiry (SWI) is a way of understanding how the written language works.
How to Talk To Your Teen
When “I can’t talk to my teen” really means “my teen doesn’t want to talk to me” which really means “my teen doesn’t want to listen to me” which really means “why won’t my teen listen to me?” What do you do?
Gradual Release in Residence Life
How does one use a gradual release model to teach a teen how to engage in conflict resolution, organization habits or stress relief?
Dyslexia and Taxes – Your Rights and Benefits?
Parents of children with learning disabilities may not be aware of the dyslexia education tax deduction. In this post, guest blogger Adam M. Domow, CPA, offers some useful tips that can help in preparing for your 2018 tax returns.
The Importance of Mentorship
One of life’s great fortunes is experiencing a great mentorship. Ethan Holmes EHS '09, shares his thoughts on the importance of mentorship and the wonderful mentors in his life.
Finding Strengths & Unlocking Potential
What does it mean to find your strength? How can someone “unlock” potential? This article will discuss some practical ways students who learn differently can tap into their potential.
Relational Learning and the Opportunities That Exist at Boarding School
Relational learning is just what it sounds like—the ability for groups of people to learn from—and in relation to—one another. Boarding schools offer a unique opportunity for educators, faculty and students to learn from one another in ways that are atypical to the mainstream classroom.
What Does Attending an LD School Really Mean?
Students and parents on the brink of embarking on a new chapter in their child’s education often wonder what it means to attend a school for learning disabilities. Here's a hint—it's different for everyone!
HOW WILL AN IB DIPLOMA HELP MY CHILD?
The International Baccalaureate is a nonprofit educational foundation offering prestigious, internationally minded educational programs. Its Diploma Programme is recognized and respected by leading universities around the world.
The Benefits Of Summer Camp For Students With Learning Disabilities
Meditation and mindfulness have gained traction in recent years as legitimate means of securing a sound mental foundation. Whereas in the past these ideas were dismissed as “fringe” or “taboo,” mindfulness has become mainstream, resulting in serious discussion about its application
Is Boarding School Right for My Child?
It’s a difficult decision for many parents to send their children to boarding school. This decision can be even more daunting when your child has been identified with a learning disability and you have spent years as his or her most consistent and outspoken advocate.