Autism, General Information
Advantages of e-learning for Families – Why Video Learning is what Little Learners Need.
We are a few months into the COVID-19 pandemic, and parents are starting to worry about the amount of screen time their children are getting. What may have previously been an hour or two “here and there” of entertainment while we cooked dinner – has expanded.
Screen time is now an all-day affair of video classroom sessions and virtual play dates. On top of that there’s often even more online entertainment while we try to finish our own work from home! Such are some of the challenges and advantages of e-learning.
Of course, we still need to be mindful of the time our kids are spending in front of a screen. However, we also need to acknowledge that the use of technology has many advantages. Not least of all is it is the very thing that allows us to keep our kids safe at home while we continue on with school and work.
Once thought of as something to be limited, screen-time has provided the opportunity for families to stay in contact, parents to continue working, and kids to keep learning.
And it calls to mind a lot of interesting research I reviewed while initially outlining our plan for CoordiKids so many years ago. So, I wanted to return to some of that research.
Because in doing so, it is possible to remind parents that it’s quite alright to embrace technology sometimes. And that sometimes, learning from watching videos is a great option for children who have difficulty learning in classroom settings. In fact, there are many benefits and advantages of e-learning.
What are the benefits and advantages of e-learning for families?
When used in moderation, and with intention, the use of video as an educational tool offers so many benefits.
- Video is a multi-sensory experience. When watching a video, a child is able to hear, see, and follow along, mimicking the actions of the person on-screen. This makes it a great fit for all learning styles – audio, visual, and kinesthetic.
- Video allows for learning at any pace. With the ability to pause, rewind, and play again, kids are able to take as much time as they need to learn a new concept or skill. Practice makes progress and video recordings allow for as much practice as is necessary.
- Video instruction makes learning opportunities available to a much larger audience. No longer do you have to sit in a classroom to reap the reward of a skilled professional teaching a lesson. This is important, especially now, as so many families are quarantined at home and need access to educational opportunities for their children.
- Video lessons can be offered at a lower price, making it more widely accessible to those in a lower socioeconomic position. With layoffs due to COVID-19, this could be anyone at any income level. Recording classes may take more effort on the front end, but they can be shared far and wide for minimal cost.
- Video classes give families the flexibility to attend at a time that is convenient. Live classes are great for teacher-student interaction. However, having recorded options available makes this a more feasible option for families. For parents juggling a hectic schedule and unable to commit to attending at a certain time, this is tremendous.
Video Learning & Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Because of the nature of my work with children with motor skills challenges, I have read many research articles. Many of these have been on the benefit of exercise. Still more have been on the benefit of video recordings to help the ASD population to learn skills.
The ASD population is known to learn and to understand visual images far better than verbal communication. For example – verbal instructions. This means a child with autism will have more success following a video about a specific topic, over other methods. Rather than listening to a story or lecture on the same topic, one of the advantages of e-learning is video.
My research also highlighted articles on how adults and children learn when they watch videos. For example, I recall one study that used two adult groups. The groups were assessed on fine motor skills, scissor skills and hand coordination.
The assessments were made at the beginning and the end of the study. They also underwent MRI scans to look for changes in the brain before and after completing the study.
Here’s what happened
Both groups were involved in training for 40 minutes, 5 times per week for 2 weeks.
Group 1 watched videos of activities such as writing, cutting with scissors and after they were asked to mimic the same actions.
Group 2 watched videos of landscapes in this time and were then asked to perform the same activities as Group 1.
The findings indicate that Group 1, who watched the videos of the activities, had far greater improvements than Group 2, who only performed the activities.
The researchers found that the adult brain can learn by watching an activity. They also indicate that if watching activity videos can boost an adult’s brain power, we might find similar results in children.
Imitation is vital in a child’s development and children learn from imitation
So, let’s say you want to teach your child the motor skill of using a fork and knife. There are essentially three options for teaching motor skills:
- The child learns by watching and imitating. For e.g. your child watches how you are using a knife and fork when you spend meals together.
- The child learns by hands-over movements. For e.g. the child holds the knife and fork and you put your hands over to move the child’s hands.
- Lastly, the child learns by accidental learning. This is the style of learning in which you give your child a knife and fork but do not show them what to do with it. However, through this method, they accidentally discover the proper use on their own.
The first two are the most effective ways to teach a new skill. The third has been scientifically shown to be the least effective learning style. And, although your child might master the skill, it will probably not be performed in the desired way.
That’s why I concluded that a video recorded demonstration would deliver the advantages of e-learning. I concluded that a follow-along format of movement therapy videos would be effective tools for families to keep up with their occupational therapy. Hence, CoordiKids was born!
How can families maximize the benefits of video learning?
Video learning can be a great option for families who otherwise can’t access in-person classes or activities. This can be due to location, cost or lack of time. Or, as we have experienced, even a worldwide pandemic that requires families to stay home.
Whatever your reason for considering remote instruction, we hope you can recognize the advantages of e-learning. We hope you can see all the benefits today’s technology offers. And, furthermore, how it can enhance your child’s overall educational experience.
Here are some helpful tips for making the most of video lessons.
TIP #1: Watch WITH your child.
According to the Child Mind Institute, “co-viewing” video content with your child is a great way to spend quality time together. It’s a great way to engage in thought-provoking conversations, and reinforce lessons being taught on-screen.
TIP #2: Keep videos short.
Young kids have short attention spans. It’s best to keep videos short and to the point for maximum effectiveness.
TIP #3: Choose resources with care.
When evaluating what types of video lessons might be a good fit for your child, consider these things. Consider things like the organization offering the content, age-appropriateness, production quality, and the end result you hope to achieve with the video. Because screen time should be used in moderation, it’s important to choose wisely. It’s important to pick the resources that are the best fit for your child.
TIP #4: Be consistent.
When starting any new class, it’s important to stick with it. Consistency achieves results. Once you do it for a week or two, it will easily become part of your child’s daily routine.
TIP #5: Don’t force it.
While consistency is important, it’s also important to allow your child a say in the decision-making process. Keep their interests in mind when choosing a class to begin with. And, if they aren’t enjoying it, it’s okay to move onto something else.
These strategies will allow you to get the most value out of the video learning resources you choose for your child.