Students across the region have begun turning their distance learning situations into the new norm amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But the online and self-directed learning arrangements are not without their significant challenges for students that have never operated through these parametres before.
"It's putting a lot of pressure on the students and the parents, with a lot of them working from home too," said Dr Tamara Jones-Hood, owner of Achieve Educational Services in Wagga.
"Even in junior school, the way we teach maths is different now to how it was a generation ago."
Related:
To support the move to online learning for school and tertiary students, university lecturers and teachers all over the country have been posting to social media offering their support.
"I'd be happy to answer questions/support where I can and also point you in the direction of a few free digital resources that may be helpful. We will get through this," the messages read.
To reduce some of the stress on parents and teachers as they navigate the new technology, Dr Jones-Hood and her staff at Achieve are also offering their services.
Over the past two weeks, there has already been a sharp rise in clients.
"The last couple of days there has been a spike in inquiries," Dr Jones-Hood said on Tuesday afternoon.
"We do have to keep to small ratios so we can keep up social distancing, but we'll be moving into the online space as well, so that's new for us too. We all need to adjust to this new way of teaching and learning.
"Contact us if you've got a question, you don't have to be a current student of ours."
Dr Jones-Hood and fellow tutor Shannon Fisher shared concern that the online teaching experiment might place some students at a disadvantage if they cannot access technology.
"There's an equity issue that this will bring out," Ms Fisher said.
"[Some] schools and students don't have access to laptops or don't know their email addresses, or have never done anything like online learning before.
"Or there are some homes that don't have access to the Internet."
To counteract that, and in light of the fact that city libraries have been forced to close under tougher restrictions, Achieve Learning is offering its central-based offices as a study area for as many students as restrictions will allow.
"We're providing workbooks, so there's no equity problem for students that might not have access," Ms Fisher said.
As a general recommendation, Dr Jones-Hood is encouraging students not to waste their isolation.
"Structure is important. Still get up at the same time and begin your lessons as you would at school," Dr Jones-Hood said.
"A lot of good learning happens in the morning."
Related:
Learning initiatives and goals can also be brought into many facets of home life, said Dr Jones-Hood.
"Think about with science, actually doing an experiment is not the same as explaining how it would be done without seeing it," she said.
"You can do some learning through everyday life. In cooking, you're using fractions, if you're reading the news you can turn what you're seeing into a creative writing exercise."
For students in senior high school, Ms Fisher recommends the time alone be used to prepare for the inevitability of exams at the end of this year.
"Older kids can get their study notes in order, do practice exams and be looking at past papers," Ms Fisher said.
Despite the challenges present in the COVID-19 affected world, Dr Jones-Hood and Ms Fisher agree, the isolation can be a practical time with a lot of learning opportunities.
"What makes people nervous is that there's no end date in sight. We can hang in when we know when it'll end," Ms Fisher said.
But however long it lasts, an effective time it still could be.
"Stay calm, we'll get through the next few weeks or months," Dr Jones-Hood said.
"Kids are really adaptable and this could change learning entirely in the future."