Why Is Self-Paced Learning Vital For Early Elementary Education?
With the traditional education system largely focussed on a standardized pace, its effectiveness in educating every individual child remains questionable. Would it not be great if educators agreed to create an environment where every student could learn at their own pace? Fortunately, the pandemic and the subsequent online classes are harbingers of progress in this direction.
Incorporating asynchronous methods like instructional videos and giving one-on-one attention has made self-paced learning possible. Moreover, it can also help educators achieve what traditional education systems cannot - a holistic education for all!
However, incorporating self-paced learning in in-person classrooms can be challenging. Top private schools in Chennai, like Babaji Vidhyashram School, are implementing various self-paced learning strategies in their classrooms to make learning more holistic. Read on to learn how.
But before that, here is a brief introduction to what self-paced learning is and how it is achieved in classrooms.
What Is Self-Paced Learning?
In self-paced classrooms, students must complete their assignments at a pace that is customized to their needs, including practice time to master the subject. Students learn their subjects through instructional videos instead of direct instruction. In fact, this learning method benefits students as they can set their own pace and develop a more organic learning process.
With self-paced learning, teachers are also not required to deliver lectures directly to students. Not only does this provide a greater opportunity for one-on-one interaction with students, but it also helps improve their grades significantly. 85% of teachers agree that self-paced classrooms are more effective, especially for elementary school students.
The role of technology in self-paced learning
The use of technology is indispensable in providing a self-paced learning environment. The use of video-based instructions allows students to learn at their own pace. Students can repeat the video and access it whenever they want to review it. Self-paced learning becomes more personalized and engaging with interactive videos. You only need technical expertise and the desire to teach your students effectively.
Here are 5 steps that can help you create a self-paced classroom.
Creating A Self-Paced Classroom In An Elementary School
Start small
You can choose a small lesson unit to practice self-paced teaching. It gives you an overview of self-paced teaching and allows students to experience its value and adjust accordingly. This practice can also help both teachers and students become more familiar with the structure and timeframe of a self-paced class. In addition, it makes it easier for the teachers to stay in sync with the school or government policies regarding the timeframe for each unit.
Plan your instructional video
After you have determined the study unit, it is time to plan what your instructional videos will contain. Make a list of what must be included in your videos. Keep the videos short depending on your student's age and focus on one learning milestone at a time. You can also utilize Google Slides or PowerPoint presentations to share your notes in the background.
Record videos
Select the best recording tool for your videos. You can use browser extensions to record the computer screen if you need to demonstrate how a website works or when you need to share a slide. Several applications also allow you to upload images, videos, or documents to a virtual whiteboard that can be recorded.
Incorporate interactive videos
Engage your students with interactive features like questions and quizzes with each video. You should also disable the skip feature to ensure that students must attempt the questions before moving on to the next video. The interactive features are a great way to evaluate your students and ensure that they learn efficiently before moving on to the next topic.
Organize videos on LMS
All classroom activities can be synchronized with the help of a learning management system. Make use of various LMS features by organizing videos and assignments accordingly. Organize your videos in a way that kids won't get confused. LMSs such as Google Classroom, Schoology, and Canvas are examples of LMSs you can use for your classroom.
Wrapping up:
Although making videos and following the steps above may seem intimidating, there is no turning back once you master the learning curve. In the long run, making instructional videos becomes less of a stress and more of an efficient way of teaching that assures perfect learning!
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