These uncertain times are presenting new and unimagined challenges for educators, parents, and students. Can you effectively continue a child’s education? Could you even help them discover new talents and interests?
Engage students with technology to learn new skills
Digital solutions enable students to work on necessary skills and required subject matter at home or anywhere with an internet connection. Digital solutions that allow students to work independently and don’t require support from teachers and parents are the most cost-effective and efficient—and can give parents a much-needed break. But using technology is only valuable when the digital solution is effective.
What makes an effective digital solution?
A digital solution is successful when it helps students with necessary content and skills they need to learn. It’s even more successful when students enjoy the experience and want to do it on their own time.
For instance, Reflex is a fun, engaging online learning environment that kids can use inside and outside of school, and is solving the problem of math fact fluency in schools throughout the world. Reflex helps students feel proud of their achievements, excited about math, and successful.
During a regular school year, we’ve heard that students love using Reflex so much that it’s not a problem to get them to go on even after school. They’ve even logged on over Christmas break! And it helps them become math fact fluent, so they’re better able to tackle higher mathematics.
Make sure it works with the resources your students have
If a program is only available on the school server, or only on one device, for instance, it limits how many students can access it. Digital options that work on personal computers and on most devices, for instance, are the most user-friendly for everyone.
When students have fun, they get excited about learning
Too often, digital solutions are just digitized textbooks or electronic flash cards. If the digital solutions help with inquiry-based learning inside and outside the classroom, or gamify learning so students are having fun, students will find the programs more satisfying and interesting. When a student plays the games in Reflex, they are learning math facts at their own pace and having fun.
Encouraging growth and confidence
With the changes in everyone’s routines, now could be a good time to let your students try new things and broaden the standard definition of “learning.” Perhaps, unconstricted by specific timeframes and goals, students who struggle to succeed in a subject will find a way of learning that works for them—whether through digital solutions, a different environment, new schedules, or all of the above.
Reflex gives students the space and encouragement they need to try and celebrates their success along with them. Every students has a unique and individual experience with Reflex as it adapts instruction and practice based on their math fact knowledge. And with engaging games and rewards, students build fact fluency through a variety of exciting fast-paced games and earn tokens for effort and progress. Easy-to-use reports help teachers and parents monitor fluency and improvement. Reflex meets students where they are, and takes them further than you might expect.
ExploreLearning continues to work on ways to support you in educating your students. We are proud to offer distance learning tips and tricks, webinars that show you how to use our products remotely, and—best of all— free trials of all ExploreLearning products.