Digital learning: How to support your child with homeschooling
Corona has made homeschooling and distance learning a challenge for parents for several months: supporting children with digital learning can be a big burden. We have tips and alternatives that will make your life easier.
Supporting digital learning – tips for parents
It is no longer a secret that distance learning has pushed many parents to the limit. The heavy burden of working from home while helping children learn has left many parents desperate. We have therefore selected a few apps and learning tools for you that support the children in learning in a playful way.
- The Antolin app can promote the reading skills of children in grades 1 to 10. The app contains numerous book titles for which the students answer quizzes. However, the app can only be used with the help of licenses that students can obtain through teachers, schools or libraries.
- The Mauswiesel app from the Hessian education server is aimed at elementary school students and contains tasks, learning materials or games for many different subjects such as German, English, math or art.
- The learning app Scoyo is aimed at the 1st to 7th grade and covers the school subjects German, English, math, art, physics, biology and chemistry. If the demo version convinces, the full version can be booked for 12 months for €9.99.
- With the Study-Smarter app, individual learning plans can be put together on a cell phone or laptop. Index cards and weekly goals support the children in homeschooling.
- The Simpleclub learning platform is suitable for older children from grades 7 to 13. 11 subjects are covered by learning videos and then deepened and tested in exercises. After a free trial, there is the unlimited version, either for €16 per month or €90 for an annual subscription.
Alternatives for Mebis
The Mebis learning platform has failed several times due to overload. Therefore, more and more teachers have created alternative learning platforms.
LoNet
The free learning platform LoNet enables exchange and cross-class and cross-institutional networking. LoNet contains various tools such as advertising-free e-mail addresses, file storage, modern Web 2.0 tools or didactic tools. You can use the map of Germany to see who is registered with LoNet.
study point
The Studypoint learning platform was developed in Ingolstadt and offers the creation and implementation of online courses to make lessons more effective and interesting. The platform can be applied to desktop computers, tablets and smartphones.
BigBlueButton
The open source online learning tool BigBlueButton is web-based and supports audio, video, slide and chat formats. Using the whiteboard tool in BigBlueButton, the notes are automatically displayed to the students in real time. For example, teachers can use the live whiteboard to zoom, highlight, draw or write on presentations.
Support homeschooling – even with little technical know-how
Regardless of whether you are a technology professional or not – apart from digital learning, there are a few more points that you should consider.
- Learning routine : A regular timetable is very important when it comes to maintaining everyday school life.
- Not just everything digital : Precisely because the lessons are already taking place on the laptop, the children should be encouraged to develop their motor skills , for example by going for walks in the forest, cooking dinner together or helping out around the house .
- Getting enough exercise : If the child becomes restless, it may be time for more physical activity. It is important that there is a balance and that the needs of the child are taken into account.
- Regular breaks : In order to maintain concentration, it makes sense to offer the child rest in between, but also variety. This is important in order to keep the motivation and the fun of learning.
- Openness: Especially during the pandemic, it is important to encourage children to be open about their feelings and to ask questions. Such discussions should take place in a quiet and safe environment. Feelings can be reflected creatively, for example through painting or handicrafts, but also through reading or telling stories.