Own Your Learning: Tips for Your Teenager
Encouraging your teenager to ‘own’ their learning is particularly important right now. Whilst schools have switched to remote learning during lockdown, your teenager doesn’t necessarily have a teacher (or their peers)around to seek support straight away!
1. Embrace Independence
Firstly, embrace the challenge. Problem-solving, analysis and creative things are just some of the things your teenager will engage with, and they might be used to having these things scaffolded and supported in the classroom. Instead- away from the usual classroom- your teenager is now being asked to complete work much more independently. This isn’t a bad thing, though! Independent learners- once into the mindset- take initiative. They are good at figuring things out themselves, as well as knowing when it’s time to ask for help. Good independent learners also tend to be well organized and intentional in their approaches to study. Ideally, schools want their students to become good independent learners by the time they leave their final year.
2. Give your teen a workspace
Right now, your teenager has much more control over their time and their workload. Finding a distraction-free zone in the house is one way to set your teenager up for studying successfully. Working with their favourite TV show on just isn’t going to marry up: your teen needs a decent space to work quietly. This will aid them ‘own’ their studying and manage their situation.
3. See the benefits
Many things feel ‘out of control’ right now, but learning is one thing your teenager can be in control of! It’s worth reminding them of that. Our pre-recorded video lessons at My Digital Lesson are focused on developing a deep understanding of their subjects. They are very beneficial for our students, who can pause, rewind and re-watch content an unlimited amount of times!
Especially now exams are cancelled, your teenager isn’t just awaiting an exam day to see if they ‘pull it out the bag’ or not. Instead, they now have the opportunity to keep working- and proving their capabilities- over time. There’s more time to edit and draft work. There’s more chances to hand in pieces to their teachers (usuallydigitally, at the moment.) Students will be building a bank of evidence over the next few months which will formulate their final grades.
Therefore, one of the best ways for your teenager to ‘own their learning’ is to embrace the chance to take charge!
4. Your teen doesn’t need to do it alone
When it comes to your teenager ‘owning their learning,’ it’s also a great chance to suggest setting up remote study groups with their friends or peers. It is certainly more challenging working alone, so taking the initiative to work with friends can really boost morale! This is also why we continue to provide interactive sessions. If your teenager is taking Higher SQA courses, we are offering 2.5 hour live sessions- held Saturday and Sunday- covering Maths, English, Biology Chemistry and Physics. We are also running a February Half Term digital classes for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.
‘Owning’ learning doesn’t mean your teenager should be ‘going it alone.’ Definitely not. Sign up to us today, seek the right support, and keep up the good work in cheering your teenager onwards!