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The Future of Education: An Immersive Learning Environment.

The Future of Education: What Will Learning Look Like in an Immersive Learning Environment?

This month, Schoolio will launch its Winter Wonderland immersive learning world, which has been much anticipated after the debut of Dino World in the summer. We’re so excited to share it with our customer base of parents and kids so you can learn about the future of education: An immersive learning environment.

The future of education: What is immersive learning?

If you’re a parent who is not really into the tech-innovation scene, you may wonder- what is an “immersive learning experience”? An immersive learning experience takes users into a 3D virtual world- well beyond the 2D video experience of platforms like YouTube that use passive observance. In an immersive 3D world, the user has an avatar representing them and moving around in the environment. If you have kids who like to play video games, you’re probably familiar with this type of environment- Minecraft, Roblox, and Fortnite are all 3D immersive environments. Picture an immersive, active, social, 3D environment like Roblox, only the places your kid visits are curated, safe, and educational. Are you getting excited?

Children are bored with the classroom.

As a parent to two gamer children and a teacher in the K-8 grades, I can immediately see and appreciate the massive potential of immersive learning environments for kids and education- and I’m sure you can too! It’s no secret that kids are chronically bored in classrooms; it’s a fact. We know this when we have to force our children out the door each morning or when our children fake stomach aches to avoid the classroom. Also, when we find movies and tv shows with characters who lie, cheat, and sneak around to “escape,” the dredge of the school day is relatable. And when our kids get home at the end of the day, where do they want to go? Straight to their video games!

The benefits of an immersive learning environment are numerous, and the potential is infinite.

Imagine the variety of topics, classes, and experiences that can be brought to life for our kids- allowing them to explore their interests and passions in a safe and fun space. Teachers and experts can be drawn from anywhere in the world to bring the best of the best content to students. Learning options will no longer be limited by geography or socioeconomic status. Imagine walking your avatar through a 3D rendition of the Louvre or the Museum of Natural History- you could take a virtual field trip to literally anywhere!

The future of education: Immersive learning style.

In addition to the multitude of options for course topics, field trips, and worldwide access to experts, the actual learning style in an immersive learning environment opens yet more doors to our children. Suddenly, children are not sitting and observing, like in a classroom, virtual school, or even learning through a platform like YouTube. Now they are a part of the experience. They are there. Their avatars can move around, touch, and build within the space. Tactile, hands-on experiences can be replicated, and children can learn and play with new tools. Not only is it safe (6-year-olds want to fiddle with a power saw? Let them have a go in a virtual, 3D environment where all their fingers will stay intact!), but it’s a better way to learn.

Project-based learning, where students learn through completing a project that shows the relevance and real-world application of knowledge, is preferred by teachers but challenging to implement within the constraints of a 1:30 classroom with limited resources. With an immersive learning environment, the options for creating these project-based learning experiences are limited only by the imagination. “Tell me, and I forget, teach me, and I may remember, involve me, and I learn.” is a famous Benjamin Franklin quote about the value of participatory learning. With a 3D immersive environment, every student can be a full participant in their own learning experiences- even if they are one of 30 in a typical American classroom, or they are in a remote Northern community, or they are in an impoverished part of Africa. The doors are open to every student.

The future of education: Immersive learning meets each student’s needs.

It doesn’t stop at customizing the learning style in an immersive environment- each student’s needs can be met exactly where they are by allowing each child to work at the exact level they need. In an immersive learning environment, a student “behind” their grade level can work at the level they need, with complete privacy from their peers around them. Challenges, projects, and independent work can all be tailored to each child to experience in the best way for them alone.

Another winning aspect of the immersive learning environment model of education is the social experience- often a criticized point of online or at-home learning. In a vast 3D virtual world, kids can choose who they interact with and how often. Voice and video chat allows kids to meet new friends, unrestricted by geographical boundaries. Students can make friends based on like interests rather than the year of birth- and the collaboration options and experiences are endless. Have you ever overheard your child coordinating with teammates in a video game? Imagine coordinating to solve a critical thinking puzzle, design a robot, or build a virtual bridge. Children can also choose the level of socializing they want to participate in, so your introverted kid who values their quiet time isn’t inundated and overwhelmed by a noisy classroom all day, and your energetic extrovert can choose to interact with new people every single day.

The future of education: is it safe?

Now I know a lot of parents worry about the safety of these open-chat worlds, and that is a valid concern when the game itself doesn’t have many checks or securities in place (I’m looking at you, Roblox) but rest assured that the technology exists to protect our children in an immersive learning environment, we need to choose to implement it.

The Schoolio immersive learning environment gives parents and teachers options to restrict who their children interact with. Known friends only? Their age range? Language censoring? It’s up to you! In addition, let me introduce you to S.A.I., the Schoolio Artificial Intelligence technology that will act as each child’s assistant, protector, tutor, and friend. S.A.I. monitors chat interactions, can spot cyberbullying and inappropriate language, and even detect a change in mood in your child, alerting you to any potential problems your kids may be having.

Schoolio Artificial Intelligence Technology will learn with your student.

Not only will S.A.I monitor social interactions in the immersive learning environment, but S.A.I. will learn with your child. While your child learns fractions, adverbs, and pond life, S.A.I. will learn about how they learn: What activity types create the best retention for them? What time of day is best for math or science? When are they tired and lagging; when are they energized and curious? What are your child’s passions, interests, and natural competencies and skills?

What are their areas of strength and weakness? All this data S.A.I. collects helps the immersive learning environment be tailored closer to your child’s uniqueness. Plus, with the Schoolio immersive learning environment, we care about more than grades and academics. We want to know how your child feels while they learn.

Essential knowledge to educate children effectively.

Emotional and mental wellness, as well as noting potential learning disabilities and neurodivergence, are essential knowledge to educate children effectively. Are they always anxious before math? Let’s recommend mindfulness and grounding activity before we begin. Are they feeling inspired by their current science project? Let’s see what other projects and courses are available for them to explore in that same topic area. Are they frustrated and wanting to quit during their building project? Let’s pause with a relaxation moment and a motivational quote and refocus before getting back at it. S.A.I. will also report to parents and teachers about how your child is doing overall, as a complete human, not just as an empty vessel filled with academic knowledge.

Speaking of parents and teachers, do you wish you could collaborate more easily with all the educators and experts in your child’s ecosystem? Especially with our unique needs, kiddos, there can be many people throwing exercises, schedules, and tips at us that we need to coordinate into our child’s lives. With the Schoolio immersive learning environment, all the adults in a child’s life can collaborate and coordinate as a team. The teacher can add homework, the tutor can add practice work, the speech pathologist can add exercises, the sports coach can add drills to run at home, and the scout leader can add badge criteria notes- all with scheduling and calendaring options to keep it all organized in one place, and with S.A.I. by your child’s side to help them with time management and organization, so they are never overwhelmed.

Immersive learning experiences aren’t coming; they’re here!

An immersive learning experience is the natural progression of technology into the realm of education. It is not “on the horizon”; it is here! The current education model hasn’t been updated since its inception during the Industrial Revolution; frankly, it’s time. Our kids are already playing (and learning!) in the immersive environment. It’s time to take it to the next level and use our technological innovations in our kid’s best interests to guide, educate, and assess in a modern way that prepares them for the real, tech-filled future that is bearing down on them. Imagine a universe as infinite as human imagination and your child’s ability to learn, play, and socialize wherever their dreams and passions may take them. That is what learning in the immersive, digital world will look like.

Click Here to Check out Schoolio Digital.

Learn about building stronger parent-child connections through digital learning.

Adding a Course on the Schoolio Digital Platform

The Schoolio Digital Platform offers 4,000+ video lessons, worksheets, interactives, lesson quizzes, and more for a super affordable price. Covering all the core curriculum for grades one to eight. Now that you have signed up your student and subscribed to the Schoolio Digital Platform, you are reading to take the next step: Adding a course on the Schoolio Digital Platform.

Let’s Get Ready to Add a Course on the Schoolio Digital Platform!

Now that you have successfully subscribed to the Schoolio Digital Platform, you can take your next step: Add courses for your student on the platform. If you’ve already added your courses when registering your students, you can leave it how it is; however, if you’d like to customize the courses and add more, you can follow these steps.

Step 1: Browse By Marketplace or Add a Custom Course

How to Add a Course on the Schoolio Digital Platform

You’re almost ready to begin your homeschooling journey on Schoolio Digital. First, select courses for your child to get started. You can either Browse by Marketplace or Create a Custom Course. The marketplace is where you will find all the core curriculum for your child’s grade. Adding a customer course is something that you can do for electives. You can learn more by clicking on the highlighted ‘Custom Course’ in blue.

Step 2: Select the Courses or Units that You Need

You can select the courses or units you want based on your child’s learning needs and grades. Simply click ‘Add to Cart’ on the course that you are looking for.

Step 3: Add Course

Your third step will be to click ‘add’ on your shopping cart; you’ll notice that almost everything on the Schoolio Digital Platform is $0. This is because all core subjects are included on the Schoolio Digital Platform. When you see a price on a unit on the Schoolio Digital Platform, it is because it isn’t a core curriculum piece but rather an elective.

Step 4: Get started!

All curriculum bundles or units that you add will appear on your child’s lesson portal for you to assign for them.

Book a Concierge Call.

If you need help with how to get started or what programs would best suit your child’s learning needs, then you can chat with one of our experts on a one-on-one Concierge Call, completely free!
Click here to book a Concierge Call.

Need a little more help with adding courses?

Check out this thorough explanation video on adding a course on the Schoolio Digital Platform.

https://youtu.be/cWikSVEjIGA

Learn how to add a course

Meeting All Learners Where They Are

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Meeting All Learners Where They Are:

Differentiation Made Easy

By Chelsea McLeod

Meeting Learners Where they are

So have you been assigned your first class, or are you changing grades for the first time in years? Keep reading to find out how to make your prep easier and focus your attention on the students in your classroom rather than the mountains of planning required to differentiate student learning. This year, your Admin has told you that you will be teaching a 3rd-grade class and since you received this news, you have been diligently preparing all your 3rd-grade materials.

Since this is a single-grade class, all you’ll need is this single-stream curriculum approach to ensure your students are successful, right?! Wrong. This approach is a surefire way to set yourself and your students up to fail. But why? And how are we meeting all learners where they are?

All kids are different, so meeting all learners where they are is essential.

As babies, the professionals – doctors, nurses, child development experts, etc. – all tell us that the “milestones” to be reached are just guidelines and not set in stone. Each child learns to roll over, crawl, walk, and talk at their own pace, and the growth markers are estimates. Sometimes they are even arbitrary markers that will not affect long-term success. Your doctor will not hit the panic button if your baby is not rolling over at precisely four months or talking by the day of their 1st birthday. That would be silly.

Schoolio Learning

So why, then, are the growth stages in school treated differently? Why do we immediately hit the panic button when students are not at the level expected by a particular grade? Kids are different, it’s that simple, so while they are all in 3rd grade, they may not all be at the same level as 3rd grade. Learning is relative to each student, and we must treat them all as individuals to best support their learning by building them up from where they are rather than trying to make them attain a single “marker” by a certain age. This is where differentiation comes in, and Schoolio’s digital platform can make this easier.

What is Differentiation? What does it mean for Teachers?

Differentiation or Differentiated Instruction “is a teaching approach that tailors instruction to all students learning needs. All the students have the same learning goal. But the instruction varies based on student’s interests, preferences, strengths, and struggles.” (https://understood.org).

This means that you can teach to different student needs, learning styles and even interests individually while still working towards the same goal for success, the goal being the Outcomes or Common Core that students are required to achieve in each grade as defined in the curriculum and meeting all learners where they are.

teaching resources

What does this mean for Teachers? The plain answer is that straight-grade or single-graded classes are no longer as simple. A single-grade classroom nowadays is, in essence, the same as a multi-grade one. No student entering that classroom will learn or perform at the same level, and sometimes the predetermined “levels” they should be reaching seem arbitrary given the knowledge that all children are different. Our students all learn, grow and adapt on different timelines.

For example, some students will enter the 3rd grade struggling to read, maybe having trouble with sounds formation and not understanding some grammar concepts, while another student may be reading at a 5th, 6th grade or above level with no problem synthesizing the next grammar and spelling additions they learn in class.

So, while many schools do not have split grades, we are presented with split learners, and as a teacher, it is crucial to meet all students where they are. As previously discussed, babies and toddlers learn, grow and adapt at all times; so does every one of the students in each of our classrooms. So as teachers, we must be in tune with our students more as individuals and plan for individual student success.

differentiate learning

How Do We Plan for Individual Student Success?

As a classroom teacher, you must consider all the pieces of the puzzle that make up each student in your classroom. When planning, it is essential to consider the student’s home life, family background, and parental time, as well as the achievements of the student. Each of these things and many other factors are all a part of student success. Therefore, we must have varied content available to create plans that help all learners at every level succeed. This is differentiation. Student interest is also a vital piece of the puzzle because ownership is essential to get full cooperation from the student.

For example, If you have a student obsessed with cars and spend all their free time reading and learning everything they can about cars, if you are trying to teach them math, you may have a difficult time. Sometimes, these students will see this math not as something vital for them to learn but as something that takes time and attention away from their passion.

So it’s not that they can’t understand something; it’s just that they don’t want to. I know we all have to do things we don’t want to do sometimes; however, it isn’t that simple, given the other factors involved. Sometimes parents will not force the issue, so as teachers, we need to get creative with how we approach learning.

Consequently, getting to know your students and what motivates/excites them is vital to being a classroom teacher. It’s okay to give students different lesson content if they are not engaging with the same materials as the rest of the class. The outcomes are required for the student to achieve, not the content. How you bring the student to achieve the result is essentially up to you.

So if you can find a way to make them feel successful, engage with their learning and take ownership of their achievements, you will have a much better classroom experience. To do this well, you will need to plan for differentiation. As the Teacher, you can differentiate the content, subject matter and sometimes even the length of the finished product to help cater to your learners’ success.

Meeting all learners where they are

Now I know you’re thinking… But doesn’t that make so much more work for me? How on earth do I plan for 25 + different learners across all the core subject areas? One person cannot create that many lesson materials on top of all the other things teachers do! Therefore, the ability to teach grade-fluid content is a critical piece of this process and helps all teachers tremendously in meeting a student’s needs or catering to interest to spark participation and ownership of learning.

With the Schoolio Digital Curriculum, You Can Do Exactly That!

With Schoolio Digital, you can teach grade-fluid content and target your instruction to individual student success. Schoolio has lessons for the core subject areas for all grades created by teachers! If you are a member of the digital platform, you can mix and match exactly what your students need. This gives you flexibility and the opportunity to cater to individual student success while still maintaining your sanity and sleeping each night (not working round the clock to create materials).

So, don’t panic and spend hours “reinventing the wheel” to make all the content you need to support your in-class instruction when Schoolio has already done it. Now you can spend your precious classroom time getting to know your students, making lasting connections, and creating a safe place for students to learn and grow, all while using Schoolio’s Digital Platform to support all you are already doing. Sign up now and focus on what matters, the students in front of you, not the prep work while meeting all student’s where they are.

Benefits of Tutoring

Many parents understand the frustrations of watching their child struggle in school. You are just unsure how to help them, so you take a closer look at tutoring. Only then you’re faced with questions like, “How do I choose a wholesome tutoring program that will work well for my child?” “How will tutoring help?” “And what are the benefits of tutoring?”

How does tutoring help a student?

Parents choose to get tutoring for their children for a variety of reasons. Some of them are that their child is struggling in school, they aren’t challenged enough, or they need a little extra help to master a particular concept. A personalized learning experience with the gift of one-on-one attention can give your child the support they need. This help translates into better study skills, a massive increase in their knowledge and a love for core subjects. While also igniting a passion for learning.

When deciding which tutor your child needs, it’s important to consider critical factors about your child, like their age, grade, and any diagnosed or undiagnosed learning disabilities. These all can impact what type of tutor your child needs. This is why it’s essential to get familiar with the tutoring company you are looking to use and meet with the tutor beforehand to discuss.

Which children need tutoring? And what kind of program should you use?

Tutoring isn’t just for children that are struggling in school. Most children can benefit from one-on-one tutoring. While it’s true that children struggling with a learning disability or struggling with a particular subject will benefit the most from tutoring, children who are doing well in school can also greatly benefit from the fantastic boost that tutoring will provide them with.

When looking for a suitable tutoring program for your child, you should look for one that focuses on your student’s needs. A program with customizable learning solutions and one-on-one sessions is essential. If your child is struggling in school, then it’s necessary to find a program that has a supportive environment. This way, they can have the freedom and flexibility to work through those complicated concepts in a specialized course that works for them. Avoid large classes with little to no one-on-one help because a program like that will only cause your child to struggle more and feel behind.

Programs like Schoolio After-School check all the right boxes (more information below).

Benefits of tutoring:

First, one-on-one attention.

A good tutor will get to know your child while learning about their learning style and needs. The tutor will then adapt their teaching strategy to match the child’s learning style. They are acting as your child’s private teacher.

Second, improved academic performance.

Your tutor has the skills to prepare your child for necessary tests and exams. While also working with your child’s problem areas. You will see an improvement in your child’s grades and understanding of the program subjects when working with their tutor.

Third, unique and individualized learning.

Through tutoring, your child will have the opportunity to receive an individualized learning experience. This unique experience isn’t always offered in a traditional classroom. Your child’s tutor will work to customize lessons and activities to meet your child’s needs.

Fourth, it significantly improves your child’s attitude toward learning and school.

Learning will become fun for your child when your child has access to one-on-one tutoring through a unique tutoring program like Schoolio After-School. The tutor will encourage and praise your child, which will help your child not feel frustrated and overwhelmed by school.

Fifth, it can encourage self-directed learning.

Your child will benefit from learning at their own pace. When working with a tutor, your child will learn how to take the initiative with their school. While also learning how to control their own learning pace.

Sixth, improved study and work habits.

Your child will learn critical study and work habits. These crucial habits will prove to be useful throughout their life. These skills will help prepare them to succeed when working to achieve their goals. These results will be seen both inside and outside of school.

Seventh, a positive impact on self-esteem and confidence.

When a tutor provides your child with the resources and skills they need to excel in school, you will boost your child’s self-esteem and confidence.

Eighth, responsibility and independence are encouraged.

One benefit of tutoring is the ability to do schoolwork independently. With a tutor’s help, your child will soon do school work independently while noticing their personal growth.

Ninth, creating a positive workspace for ideal learning.

An environment free of distractions, with fewer or no other students, will help create that positive workspace that your child needs. One without the disruptions the classrooms are usually full of. This will help your child to focus better on their learning.

Tenth gives your child the encouragement they need while helping them feel confident enough to ask questions.

Sometimes children may feel uncomfortable when asking questions in front of their peers. A tutor will work on helping your child feel comfortable about asking questions and doing so without feeling self-conscious.

Eleventh, it teaches them how to overcome learning obstacles.

Your child’s tutor will take note of the areas your child is struggling with the most, whether math, writing, or reading. Then your child’s tutor will target the learning area they are having the most trouble with.

Twelfth, it helps them improve their behavioural and social skills.

A good tutoring program will help your child develop better communication skills. While also allowing them to form better relationships with their peers. And help them to make more behavioural and social adjustments.

Thirteenth, it helps your child manage their learning.

Tutoring helps your child become more capable in their learning. While also allowing them to be more successful when managing their schoolwork.

Fourteenth, it helps children who are bored in school.

Some children may appear to struggle in school when they are bored and under-stimulated. One of the benefits of tutoring is that it will help your child reach their full potential.

Fifteenth, it can better prepare your child for what’s ahead.

One of the other benefits of tutoring is that it will help them prepare for what’s ahead by creating crucial study skills and learning superior time management skills for more advanced grade-level plans.

Try the Schoolio Digital Platform for free!

The Schoolio Digital Platform has 4000+ videos and interactive lessons to help your child excel in their learning. Whether you are a parent, teacher or tutor, this program is the perfect fit.

Make Learning Fun

Have you heard of Special Interest Units? The phrase may make you wonder, what exactly that could mean? And why would that be important for your child’s education? Using these compact units of learning can make learning fun for our kids. While also helping our children discover their passions and desire to dig deeper on topics that excite them. It’s so important to cultivate their desire to learn when they’re young, and using Special Interest Units can help with that.

Have you ever found a topic that you just couldn’t get enough of? You started digging deeper, doing more research. You became fascinated by this topic and learning about it gave you so much life. You want your child to experience that same passion and hunger for learning, right? So, how? How can we help our kids with digging deeper, learning bigger, and enjoying the process?

Here are some simple ways to make learning fun while helping your child develop a love for their education:

Expand of their ideas and imaginative thoughts.

Your son just came up to you and told you that he wants to drive a Porsche, and be a millionaire with a fast, fancy boat when he’s older. What’s your initial reaction? To tell him that money doesn’t matter? To explain that we don’t always get what we want in life? Do you immediately think ‘Those are expensive, he could never afford that?’ Or do you say: “Well you’ll have to have a really good job then.” All of these initial thoughts are normal, because you live in a realistic world. Your child however, is living in a bright world where anything is possible. Instead of immediately shutting down his dream, try asking questions instead.

Ask things like: “What colour would your Porsche be?” “How fast would it go?” You can google how fast a Porsche can go together, and then perhaps talk about different speeds, because I guarantee that one day they will be driving and will need to know. “What colour would it be? There’re so many colours, let’s check out the Colours and Light Special interest Unit together to learn more about colours. Maybe we can even pick a colour that isn’t very common, if you like it!” That fast boat that he’s dreaming of, have him draw a picture, and write about where he would travel. Grab a map and explore the oceans with him. Ask him where he’d want to travel to, and what countries he’d like to see with his boat.

You aren’t squashing his dreams, you are helping him cultivate his dreams through joy-filled, education.

Make learning fun with Special Interest Units:

There are so many areas of education that can be really dry. Many parents struggle with teaching their children math, not because they don’t know it but because math is one of the more ‘dry subjects’. For some kids, they just love it. For others, it overwhelms them from the boredom of 5+6=11. How can you make learning more fun? Especially with those areas of their education that are beyond boring?

Special Interest Units aren’t just about an interesting topic. They are so much more than that. You can incorporate multiple subject areas under one theme. Math, Writing, Reading, Science, all of these are included in many Special Interest Units. When you mix enjoyable content with basic educational lessons, you have a remedy for a fun and successful learning experience.

Helping your child discover interests.

The world would be a different place if we all did what we were actually interested in. If we all somehow found a way to make a living off of something that we enjoy. But chances are when you went to school you were taught in a traditional form. You were told to get good grades, do well in areas of education, and forget about your passions. Because “Passion doesn’t pay the bills.”

Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut, Sally Reis, Ph.D., states that the key to unlocking a child’s potential is finding that child’s interests and helping the child develop them. Did you catch that? The key to them unlocking their potential isn’t by forcing them to get good grades and then being disappointed when they don’t meet our expectations. Rather, the key comes when they love what they’re learning.

How can they discover their interests? Books, watching educational shows, museums, zoos, the outdoors, and Special Interest Units. There truly are so many ways to help your child find their passion for education while you make learning fun.

Be supportive as they find their learning style.

Every child has a unique learning style, or a way that they learn most effectively. The three different styles: Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic. Which style suits your child the most? Helping your child determine their learning style will be a gift that serves them their entire life.

Don’t become overwhelmed by the idea of ‘how to make learning fun’, ok? There are so many ways to do it. You can start by checking out our Special Interest Units.

Because we love to make learning fun, so we’ve created a whole bunch of awesome Special Interest Units to help your child learn fun new things while squeezing in important education lessons.

Click here to view our Special Interest Units.

Resources used for this blog:

Big Life Journal – A love for learning

NAEYC – Encouraging your child to lead