New age home schooling is upon us. When we were kids, our teachers used to get us to write essays and give speeches about learning via the Internet. While we appreciated the access to a vast knowledge bank, we always thought that every kid will simply go to school like we did. So, a virus had to come around and tell us differently. It is great that schools, teachers, and students have started adjusting to the virtual classroom. Here are things that you can teach your child to make him or her full of etiquette while following lessons on the computer.
01. Attire
In case the teacher wants the students to switch on their cameras for an activity or to just see how they are keeping; it is important to ensure that the child is wearing appropriate attire. Self-esteem and self-respect both need to be taught and nurtured from a very young age. Not to mention, they will be seen as those with good etiquette and a good upbringing when they know how to dress to suit the occasion.
02. The Mic and the Video
Unless otherwise instructed by the teacher, children should always keep their mic and video switched off. Little ones don’t need to be taught technology, so they will figure out how to keep the mic and video off when connecting to the call, but, as a parent, you do need to explain the importance of practicing it.
03. You and Everyone Around
Your child’s education is as important as your career; please don’t undermine this. The last thing you want is for the child to tell his or her teacher that s/he is unable to pay attention due to the parents’ jobs. Display that their classes are important and that their need to attend these virtual classes cannot be compromised. Also, support them by making sure that you remain quiet and refrain from disturbing them while they are in class. You yourself should be appropriately attired and encourage attentive involvement in the virtual classroom.
04. Raising Questions
If your child wishes to ask a question, ask him/ her to raise his/her hand virtually, send a personal chat message to the teacher or follow any one of the methods prescribed by the teacher. Don’t barge in on the teacher while s/he is teaching and do not call the teacher on the mobile phone behind everyone’s back. It is a nuisance and it is poor etiquette.
05. Use of Backgrounds
Everyone will understand if people want to blot out their actual background with a stylized one, but make sure your child uses one that is appropriate. It should not be distracting, unsuitable for his/ her age or harmful to others in any way whatsoever.
06. Timely Connection
Just as much as a latecomer disturbs the on goings of a real-life classroom, ones who connect to the class late also create some turmoil. This upsets the teacher also. Make a note of the times and entrust your child with the responsibility of connecting at least 5 minutes before hand so that there are no disturbances to the class.
While all of us pray and hope that the pandemic will end sooner rather than later, we need to adjust while it is still ravaging the world. Educate your young ones on how to be full of etiquette as they tune in to their class and tell them to write to fullofetiquette@gmail.com if they have questions. Happy studying to everyone!
Till I return with ‘Full of Etiquette’ next week, stay safe!
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Praveeni Jayasekera is the Founder and Editor of fullofetiquette.com; she is a regular advocate on the subject. She is an ACMA, CGMA; holds a BSc. Economics and Management; PG in IT and Diploma in Social Sciences. She is employed full time in the capacity of Chief Operating Officer at CL Synergy (Private) Limited; a Sri Lankan freight forwarding company. She is an ardent fan of the written word and has compiled content for numerous websites for search engine optimization (SEO) purposes, corporate profiles and blogs. She has experience in training corporate professionals on customer service and business etiquette. She conducts coaching sessions on etiquette for school children every now and then.
