Learning Takes Space

I’ve learned over the years that while technology makes a lot of work easier, it doesn’t
reduce our need for workspace. I hear everyone dream of small backpacks and doing
everything on an easy to carry a tablet, but I don’t see it working out that way. As I write
this, I sit in front of two large computer monitors,an open notebook, a stack of small
notepaper, and I have my tablet handy in case I need to consult another screen. 

I’m always amazed that people have this illusion that someone can read or hear something
once and retain enough of an understanding to apply it properly. This sometimes happens
if it involves a small tweak to something we are familiar with doing or if you have one of
those mythical Sherlock memories that I have read about, but never actually encountered.
We constantly go back and consult the source of information the first time we work through
a new activity. Parents trying to set their children up to succeed should assume that the
child will need to review what they are trying to apply at least as often as you need to
remind them to pick up their stuff. 

While every child may not need the picture-perfect study area in a quiet remote place, the
basics learning needs will remain. A child should always have spare paper and pencil or pen
while learning. The learning connection between writing information and the brain is well
established.Science clearly supports the use of physical muscle memory to aid learningEven if your child never reviews them, taking notes or practicing skills offers a crucial step
in understanding.

We also need to be able to look at explanations while trying to answer questions or work
problems. I’ve never understood why everyone got excited about books and school work
being able to be done on the same tablet. Ideally, students will have two screens (even if
they are not on the same device), so they can look at the book while doing the work online.
When I work with students at school  I often find myself putting their textbook or source
material on my tablet, so we can look at both. If they are learning at home, it is ideal to get
an extra monitor for their laptop or an extra tablet for them to prop up and consult. 

I understand that not everyone can manage to get all the electronic real estate needed for
optimal working conditions. If an extra screen isn’t an option for budget, space, or travel
reasons, then paper becomes crucial. Encourage your child to take notes on physical paper,
so they can look at that while trying to work a problem. 

I also encourage you to give them the tools to create what they are trying to learn. If you
have a young child doing math, provide legos, blocks, paper shapes, or whatever you have
on hand to let them count out representations of numbers and groupings (I'll discuss
manipulatives in more detail later, but kids will find a way to use them that makes sense to
their brain if they have access). Old students should have access to rules (or something with
a traceable straight edge), colored pencils, and other accouterments to let them draw what
they are trying to do in math and science. For other subjects, find stuff around the house they can use,it doesn’t need to be fancy or designed for learning. I’ve seen a student use forks, spoons, and knives to layout representations of the players and their relationships they needed to keep straight from a history lesson (it resulted in a weird place setting, but he remembered the layout and could recall information from that image).

Learning doesn’t need fancy tools, but it does need space and be set free from trying to do
everything on one screen. Find space for your child and encourage them to use it to make
distance learning work for them.