Школьники Оклахомы готовятся к новому учебному году: советы по организации онлайн-обучения

As Oklahoma students head back to school, families preparing for another year of virtual learning are also getting ready for the first day of classes. For students logging in from home, staff with Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy say a little preparation can help ease first-day nerves and make the transition back into a school routine smoother. One of the first things families should do is make sure all necessary equipment is ready to go, including checking computers, internet connection and any other technology students will need to access their classes. Back-to-school anxiety can affect virtual students, too, but parents can help by talking with their children about their concerns, establishing a routine and making sure students know what to expect when the school year begins. Amanda Coyle, a counselor with the Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy, also encourages families to take advantage of opportunities designed to help virtual students connect with their school community. Those include meet the teacher events and back-to-school bashes, as well as the academy’s K-12 Zone. “We’re going to have back-to-school bash time, and there will be some time in our K-12 Zone, which is our virtual space where students have avatars,” Coyle said. “Think of it like a virtual recess where different areas have different events. Their teachers and staff members also can go in and interact with students.” Coyle says those virtual events give students a chance to interact with teachers, staff and other students in a setting designed to mimic some of the social experiences students have in a traditional school.