What is the Virtual Study Hall?
The Virtual Study Hall is a way for homeschooling/online students to work on their own curriculum but still have the support, accountability, and community of a teacher and other students.
Students join the Hall through a device and have it open while they work on their own curriculum. As the teacher, I will be available to answer questions, teach concepts and redirect them when they get distracted.
Why?
Because learning happens best in a community. And many of us have trouble focusing on something when we’re alone. The Hall gives students who would normally be alone while studying the opportunity to be with other people. It also gives parents a break, allowing them to focus on things other than trying to get their student to focus.
What do I need to join the Hall?
- A laptop or phone with a camera/microphone. This cannot be the same device the student is using for their work. The Hall video goes blank if students leave the page, so I will not be able to supervise them unless they have a second device.
- Curriculum. Students will need enough work to fill their time in the Hall. I will help with any questions they have and can provide some instruction, but students are expected to have their own work to do. Please provide them with specific goals for each session.
What does a study session look like?
When students log in, we’ll spend a few minutes connecting with the community. They’ll also be asked to write down what their goals are for the session.
Then we’ll move into the actual studying. Mics will be muted and students will be expected to work on their own curriculum. If they have any questions, they may raise their hands (virtually or physically) and I’ll do my best to help them with what they need. Students may also be broken out into smaller groups if they are working on similar things and being able to talk would be helpful. For those working in my small group at Honeybee’s Adventure School, we may break away for a short lesson.
All students will be visible to me at all times and I will do my best to keep them on task. A couple times through the hour we’ll do a quick goal check-in and they’ll report how they are doing. I may even ask to see their books or work to make sure they are progressing.
We’ll wrap up our session with a quick celebration of what we’ve learned and how well we met our goals.