At-Home Learning for Children and the Essentials

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Online courses have become more accessible for many children, cue at-home learning.

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In the digital world, learning is no longer confined to the four walls of a classroom. But the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the way students are learning. From traditional methods to online platforms, many have adopted at-home learning.

With the proliferation of online courses, children have more access to education. The same goes for parents supplementing their child’s curriculum.

Remote learning, paired with e-learning courses and tools, provides academic flexibility. But many other things contribute to successful at-home learning.

Here’s a look at how this learning format can shape the future of education.

At-home Learning

At-home learning is an educational approach in which students access course materials online. Thus, they engage with online learning platforms, activities, and communication tools. No physical classes.

It acts as a way to stay ahead of their studies without attending campus. The return of face-to-face classes does not make it less relevant. Many can still benefit from remote learning, from convenience to increased engagement.

The Top Benefits

More schools offer virtual classrooms and home-based learning plans. It is worth considering the potential benefits of at-home learning.

Greater flexibility

At-home learning programs offer greater scheduling flexibility than traditional classrooms. Students can take classes when it suits their lifestyle.

With that, they can go over topics many times to better understand them and even take on extra subjects! This can be especially advantageous for those who need to take care of other commitments.

Improved self-discipline

Learning at home encourages more self-discipline. It is up to the student when and how much they can study each day. While this is not suitable for everyone, many benefit from this sense of independence. For one reason, they can have more control over their own educational aspirations.

Increased engagement

At-home learning requires complete immersion through various interactive activities. These involve different forms of digital media, such as podcasts, videos or animations. In turn, these keep students both engaged and entertained during lectures.

Improved accessibility

Another major benefit of implementing an at-home learning curriculum is improved accessibility. One, it involves incorporating digital tools into the curriculum. This makes it available everywhere at any time, giving students easier access.

Cost efficiency

At-home learning also provides several factors which contribute towards cost efficiency. No overhead expenses resulting from renting school establishment. Thus, a significant reduction in tuition fees.

To sum it up, it appears that at-home learning provides promising advantages. From greater flexibility and accessibility to improved engagement and cost efficiency, and more!

At-home Learning Essentials

For any at-home learner, certain essentials need to be considered. From having a dedicated workspace to tech gadgets, software, and STEM kits.

1. Find a Comfortable Learning Space

If possible, look for a quiet spot in your house away from distractions. It could be a spare bedroom or a garden room where the learner can focus and feel relaxed. Whatever space you choose, ensure it gives enough room to work with comfort in mind.

2. Invest in the Right Technology

Equip your child with quality tech, such as a laptop or tablet that will serve all their needs and purposes. If your kid is leaning towards robotics or coding, a computer could be a valuable addition.

You will also want to access a reliable internet connection. This ensures no technical issues will arise during online classes or virtual meetings.

3. Software

Another thing you will need is educational software that offers various STEM topics. The school will likely provide the type of software they will be using, so better to take note of that. Access to Microsoft Word or Google Docs is also essential for writing papers.

4. Ergonomic Furniture

Don’t risk physical health studying in an unhealthy environment. Be sure to have an at-home learning setup that encourages good posture. This will aid in preventing pain and ultimately improving learning, as students may lose focus if they are uncomfortable.

The tops of monitors should be at or below eye height. Chairs should have good spine support and allow feet to rest on the ground. If this is not possible, invest in a foot rest.

Level up at-home learning with these exciting educational products:

5. 3D Printer

A 3D printer prints three-dimensional objects from almost any material. This technology is not only interesting for kids but also highly beneficial. One, it encourages experimentation with design. Two, it allows students to create functional prototypes quickly. Thus, making it one key tool every at-home scientist needs!

If you want to know more about how it works, read our 3D Printing Guide next.

6. STEM Kits

STEM kits provide an excellent way for children to engage in real-world problem-solving. At the same time, to explore science projects interactively.

Whether it is an electronic kit or an engineering set, they are a worthwhile investment. Not only will it help develop critical thinking, but there is also no end to what they could create using them!

Check out our range of STEM essentials below to complete your at-home learning setup:

Edison Educational STEM Kits

Having enough STEM learning resources for coding, including robotics education, is critical. With Edison, a programmable robot, it can help empower students to become:

• Coders
• Creative thinkers
• Inventors
• Problem solvers

Ideal for 4 to 16 years of age, Edison robots are durable, have no loose parts to manage, and are simple to store. You might like this bonus bundle:

Edison Robot V2.0 **BONUS BUNDLE**

Product code: RO-EDISON-KIT6

A fun, super easy-to-use and educational robot, compatible with LEGO® bricks! This kit is perfect for kids getting started with the Edison Robot.

For more, browse through these Edison V2.0 Robots.

Robotic Kits

Other than Edison, Codey Rocky Robot is a fantasic software learning item. It allows children to design games, create dot matrix animations, and learn more about AI and IoT.

 

Codey Rocky Robot

No longer available

Product code: RO9230

Equipped with over ten electronic modules from a sound and light sensor to an LED dot matrix display. This kit also features mBlock 5 programming software designed for STEAM education.

It is easy to use, compact, and perfect for children learning basic coding techniques. You can check out our wide range of robotic kits here for more!

Note: AI stands for Artificial Intelligence and IoT for Internet of Things.

Electronics Kits & Modules

There is a variety of electronic kits and modules available on the market. But this 30-in-1 Electronics Lab Kit is worth a shot! It makes a great introduction to the world of electronics for students. It is also, in fact, used by many educational establishments.

Another product you can add to your cart is the Micro:Bit. It is a pocket-sized computer developed by the BBC. A fantastic learning tool and good for learning how to code and how computers work. Over 20 million children around the world are learning with this programming tool!

Raspberry Pi

Every student deserves the best possible curriculum and resources for learning. This is what the Raspberry Pi Foundation is all about.

The Raspberry Pi gives young people a better understanding of how computers work. Plus, it helps them improve their programming skills. Designed for STEM students, tech enthusiasts can also benefit from this product.

One of their ‘talk of town’ products is this self-contained computer built into a keyboard — a.k.a. the Raspberry Pi 400 unit.

Raspberry Pi 400 Desktop Computer – 4GB RAM

Product code: RPi400

A complete personal computer, built into a compact keyboard in a raspberry and white colour scheme. It features a quad-core 64-bit processor, dual-display output, 4K video playback and more!

This keyboard computer is ideal not only for learning codes but also for:

• Surfing the web
• Creating and editing documents
• Watching videos
• Learning to program using the Raspberry Pi OS desktop environment

Also available as part of a complete kit, including a mouse, HDMI cable, power supply, SD card, and a guidebook. Check out our available Raspberry products here.

Arduino

Arduino is a microcontroller motherboard that has no operating system. It is a computer that only runs programs compiled for the Arduino platform, e.g. programs written in C++.

It helps students understand programming while focusing more on the electronics side. Also features an 8-bit microcontroller and is straightforward to use.

Note: C++ is a powerful general-purpose programming language. It is often used for developing operating systems, browsers, games, and so on.

Check out our great selection of Arduino Bundles & Kits. Each kit comes with various components that allow students to do a wide variety of projects.

The Bottom Line

At-home learning has become increasingly popular in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a great way to achieve educational goals without leaving the comfort of your home.

Never forget to take care of your kids while participating in remote education! Take time off to recharge both the mind and body and ultimately boost productivity.

 

This article was originally published in September 2020 and has been updated.