As we inch further and further away from the pandemic, we’re on our way to achieving herd immunity in the near future. Until then, people are continuing to err on the side of caution by maintaining social distancing and wearing a mask. Online school and remote work are still continuing across the UK, and will be in the long run.
If you’re considering enrolling your child in an online school, you may be worried about their inability to pay attention during classes. At Cambridge Home School, our experienced MA/PhD qualified subject specialist teachers use an effective approach to help students remain engrossed in the lessons through and through. In this blog, we’ll help you gain more insight into their strategy.
1. Keeping the Classroom Size Small
Whether they attend a conventional school or online school, students mostly get distracted and zone out if their attention isn’t actively engaged. If the institution has a high pupil-teacher ratio, there’s a greater chance of your child losing focus mid-class.
At Cambridge Home School, we keep the classroom size as small as possible. By limiting each group to 8–10 pupils, we help children engage with their teacher and peers more effectively and attentively.
If a student loses focus, our teachers are able to pick up on it almost instantly owing to the small classroom size. They promptly help the student get back on track and become actively engrossed in the lesson.
Recommended Read: 7 Benefits of Choosing Online Primary Schooling for Your Child
2. Calling Children “In” Instead of Calling Them “Out”
In conventional schooling systems, students are often called out by their teachers for zoning out. They may be reprimanded, admonished, or belittled in front of their peers.
Instead of respectfully and empathetically involving students back into the class discussion, teachers often make them feel embarrassed by brazenly pointing out their inability to pay attention. As a result, students may feel humiliated and struggle to pay attention again despite wanting to.
At Cambridge Home School, our teachers call students “in” instead of calling them “out” (click here for more insight into this approach). Their empathetic and careful approach helps students jump right back into the discussion eagerly and comfortably.
3. Planning Enriching Lessons
Our MA/PhD qualified subject specialist teachers plan enriching lessons to help students pay attention during the entirety of the class. From using audiovisual elements to breaking down complex concepts in an engaging and compelling manner to opening up the floor for a healthy and interactive discussion, our teachers work assiduously to retain each student’s focus and concentration.
These efforts are further modulated for younger students who are more prone to getting distracted. By making adjustments based on the age of the students and the content of the class, our teachers maximise engagement.
Recommended Read: 3 Useful Soft Skills Students Develop Through Online Schooling
As one of the leading online international school in the UK, we provide a quality online British education across four schools: Primary Prep/Key Stage 2 (ages 8 to 10), Lower School/Key Stage 3 (ages 11 to 13), Upper School/IGCSEs (ages 14 to 16), and Sixth Form/AS & A Levels (ages 17 to 19).
Motivated English-speaking students in the UK, Europe (including Western Russia), Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia are strongly encouraged to apply.
Find out more about our Cambridge Online Education UK here.
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FAQ
How does Cambridge Home School maintain student engagement in online classes?
Cambridge Home School utilises experienced MA/PhD qualified subject specialist teachers who employ effective strategies to help students remain focused throughout the lessons.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cambridge Home School?
To promote better engagement and focus, Cambridge Home School maintains a small classroom size by limiting each group to 8–10 pupils. This small ratio allows teachers to promptly notice if a student is losing focus and take immediate corrective action.
How does the teaching approach differ when a student loses focus?
Unlike conventional schools where teachers might publicly admonish students for losing focus, at Cambridge Home School, teachers use an empathetic approach. They ‘call students in’ rather than ‘calling them out,’ which enables the students to rejoin the class discussion comfortably.
What elements do the teachers incorporate into the lessons for better engagement?
The teachers at Cambridge Home School plan enriching lessons that make use of various techniques such as audiovisual elements, breaking down complex concepts in an engaging manner, and facilitating interactive discussions. These efforts are particularly adjusted based on the students’ ages to maximise engagement.
Who is eligible to apply to Cambridge Home School?
English-speaking students who are motivated to study online and are based in the UK, Europe (including Western Russia), Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia are strongly encouraged to apply for enrolment at Cambridge Home School.