eLearning Tips and Tricks for Teachers and Parents Supporting Online Learning

eLearning has become a regular part of education, and if you have experienced it, you know it is equal parts teaching, troubleshooting, and comedy. One minute you are reviewing a lesson, and the next you are reminding someone to turn off their microphone while a sibling runs past the screen yelling about snacks.

I often think back to the height of COVID, when we were all suddenly teaching from home. Teachers were learning on the fly, students were figuring it out as they went, and parents were thrown into the mix whether they were ready or not.

One image from that time may never fully leave my brain. It happened on what was supposed to be a normal eLearning Friday. My student, let’s call him Sam, was beyond excited for show and tell. Instead of sharing a toy or a drawing, Sam proudly announced he would be giving us a tour of his house.

Room by room, he walked us through his kitchen, his living room, and his Spider Man themed bedroom. Then he headed down the hallway to his final stop, the bathroom.

Sam was still new to technology and did not fully understand how the camera worked. When he opened the bathroom door to show us the last room, he did not intentionally show his very horrified mother trying to enjoy a brief moment of peace on the toilet. Unfortunately, intention did not matter. Everyone saw.

For this reason and this reason alone, I will never use the bathroom while my child is on eLearning.

Whether you are a teacher facilitating online instruction or a parent supporting learning from home, these eLearning tips and tricks will help you stay organized, sane, and maybe even laughing.

eLearning Tips for Teachers Facilitating Online Learning

Establish Clear Technology Expectations Early

Online learning works best when students know exactly what is expected of them. Build daily routines for logging in, muting microphones, using the chat, and asking for help. A consistent routine saves instructional time and reduces frustration.

Keep Online Lessons Short and Interactive

Attention spans are shorter during eLearning. Break lessons into small chunks and include polls, chat responses, or quick movement breaks to keep students engaged.

Over Communicate Instructions

If instructions live in more than one place, students are more likely to complete assignments correctly. Post directions in your learning platform, say them out loud, and include examples when possible.

Use Humor to Build Connection

Someone will forget they are not muted. Someone will log in from the backseat of a car. Laugh when you can. Humor builds relationships and helps students feel comfortable in a virtual classroom.

eLearning Tips for Parents Supporting Learning at Home

Create a Dedicated Learning Space

A consistent learning area helps children switch into school mode. It does not need to be fancy. A small desk or table with supplies nearby works just fine.

Invest in Headphones

Headphones help children focus and help parents avoid hearing multiple virtual classrooms at once. They are essential for families with more than one child learning from home.

Here are the headphones my kids use:

Plan for Snacks and Breaks

Hunger is the fastest way to derail an eLearning session. Keep snacks ready and schedule breaks so kids can move and reset.

Adjust Expectations and Give Grace

Some days will be productive. Some days will feel like controlled chaos. Progress matters more than perfection. Logging in and trying counts as a win.

…but don’t forget to avoid using the bathroom while your kids are online!

eLearning Tips That Help Everyone

Consistent Routines Matter

Predictable schedules reduce stress for students and adults. Try to keep learning blocks, breaks, and end times consistent each day.

Movement Supports Learning

Kids need movement to focus. Short activity breaks improve attention and behavior during online learning.

Celebrate Small Wins

Completed assignments, focused work time, or a day without technology issues are worth celebrating. Recognition builds confidence and motivation.

Final Thoughts on eLearning

eLearning is challenging for teachers, parents, and students. It is messy, loud, and often unintentionally funny. But it also builds flexibility, problem-solving skills, and resilience.

If nothing else, remember this. You are doing better than you think. And someday, the story about the child who accidentally gave the class an unwanted view of his mom in the bathroom will be a hilarious, distant memory.

~ Jade

eLearning Must-Haves!