Academic Support Tools: From Virtual Tutoring to Study Skills

In the online learning realm, helping students stay engaged, succeed academically, and complete their studies can be challenging. Success and achievement go hand and hand, but sometimes students need a little extra boost to keep them on their pathway to excelling in their endeavors. Today, students increasingly rely on academic support, which now plays an integral role in learning in both virtual and brick-and-mortar settings. However, it plays a vital role in the success of students in a virtual learning setting, providing the tools to help students flourish in their studies.

Educators now integrate academic support as a central component which provides the tools in a virtual setting such as tutoring, study skill resources, and coaching that provides personalized support for each student. At PA Virtual, educators and staff are committed to supporting students holistically, incorporating and customizing the students learning experience. Let’s take a look at some ways to take advantage of these tools that have the potential to academically empower students in a virtual setting.

What are academic support tools?

Academic support tools include various resources and services crafted to improve student success through sharpening comprehension skills and overall academic performance. These tools play a vital and critical role in ensuring an effective educational experience that includes enhanced learning, improved organization, and increased accessibility for students. The value of academic support is boundless as these tools can not only increase transparency but also encourage consistency while reducing confusion, and allow students the ability for ownership, managing deadlines, and expectations. When learning belongs to them, they are more likely to push through challenges rather than throwing up their hands and saying, “I give up!”. Academic support builds confidence and belief that, “I can learn this if I try!”.

What does virtual tutoring look like?

In a virtual setting, tutoring often is led in small groups or in one-on-one sessions, and instruction is implemented using video conferencing and various digital learning tools. One major benefit of virtual tutoring, it offers the same support as in-person tutoring but without the limits of location. Virtual tutoring sessions can take place in a variety of platforms, such as Google Meet, Zoom, Blackboard, or other specialized tutoring software. During the sessions, students typically use screen sharing for lessons, notes, and/or problem solving with interactive live video and audio. In the tutoring session, instructors may utilize digital whiteboards for writing, drawing, and explaining concepts as well as chat features for questions, links, and feedback. Depending on student goals and plans, as well as grade level, sessions typically last 30 to 60 minutes. The student’s schedule and needs will determine the type of sessions which either can be a group setting or one-on-one. At PA Virtual, students have the option for both types of support and tutoring depending on their academic needs.

How can tutoring help your student succeed?

When a student understands a concept they typically score higher and will have a tendency to stay consistent and current with assignments. Tutoring and academic coaching provides personalized support that is tailored to individual needs, which can facilitate building confidence along with strong study habits, aid in catching up on missed assignments or missed skills, and prep for exams. Another bonus for choosing virtual tutoring is the real time feedback, resulting often in boosted student confidence and comprehension.

TIP: You can help your tutor maximize your time together by coming prepared with either assignments, study guides, or specific questions to help keep sessions focused and productive.

At PA Virtual, students have access to tutoring in a variety of ways. Teachers offer sessions during office hours in the high school or by appointment. In middle school, office hours, academic support and after school tutoring are an option for students needing assistance. In the elementary school, academic support teachers are ready to help students succeed. Peer-to peer tutoring is also an option for students at PA Virtual. Tutoring is most advantageous when a student is falling behind or not grasping a concept, it helps students to take ownership in their learning journey. When a student has ownership in their education, they shift from, “I have to learn this”, to “I want to learn this”. At PA Virtual, students have the option to attend teacher office hours, and receive one-on-one support. In these meetings, teachers offer scheduled office hours, and meeting by appointment where students can:

- Receive targeted feedback

• • - Review and/or relearn targeted lesson content

  • - Review assignments and/or assessments for clarity

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Academic success is also possible when a student has access to multiple academic supports. Beyond daily instruction, students have access to a variety of academic resources that are crafted to meet students where they are and help them thrive at PA Virtual.

TIP: Review lesson plans, grades, feedback, assignments, and deadlines at the beginning and end of the week together! Learning coaches, parents, and students can check these together to help stay on target and meet academic goals!

Why do study skills matter?

Strong study skills are the building blocks to academic success, allowing students to build a strong foundation that will help students grow. When students master the skills to “learn how to learn”, they open the door to independence, gaining confidence and long term academic resilience. At PA Virtual, study skills are taught not only in the classroom, but during study sessions, and these skills are reinforced using structured instruction, digital tools, and personalized support.

Let’s take a look at 3 important study skills that enable student success:

1. Time management and organizations:

     - Create daily and weekly schedules

•      - Break large assignments into manageable chunks

•      - Set realistic deadlines

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Planning, prioritizing, and managing workloads effectively, helps students thrive in their academic journey. At PA Virtual, teachers help students navigate how to build and create effective routines that are consistent and effective, allowing students to best use their time allotted for learning.

TIP: Digital tools that are helpful in the planning process include: Google Calendars, Outlook, Smart Phone Calendars, and a LMS Planner (Learning Management System).

2. Active Note/Taking

•    - Summarizing lessons in own words

•     - Color coding key ideas

•     - Mind mapping or graphic organizers

Following effective note-taking techniques can help process information rather than just passively recording it. At PA Virtual, students are taught how to take and organize notes during live and recorded sessions.

TIP: Helpful Digital Tools: Google Docs, One Note, KAMI for annotating PDFs, and digital whiteboards.

3. Goal Setting/Self Monitoring

•     - Keep track of progress

•     - Set short and long term goals

•     - Reflect: good and needs improvement areas

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Students who keep track of progress and set personal goals build independence and accountability. PA Virtual approaches goal setting in a variety of ways, integrating goals into coursework, advisory check-ins, and teacher feedback.

TIP: Keep track of goals with digital journals or goal trackers.

Additional support to help students succeed sometimes include family support. Families and learning coaches play a vital role in helping students utilize resources effectively.

Helpful strategies include:

•  - Build a consistent, daily routine

•  - Create a quiet, organized study space

•  - Keep communication open about challenges

•  - Helping students track assignments and deadlines

•  - Encourage self-advocacy and independence

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At PA Virtual students can utilize the many additional resources and supports available such as academic support teachers, academic coaches, help sessions during class, accessibility tools, and many other supports that provide tools for success.

In the virtual school environment, sometimes asking for help can feel daunting and overwhelming, but with the right support in place-students will overcome this obstacle. Providing these academic supports are essential allowing students to not only learn better, but to become invested in their education. When effectively utilized and integrated, students will find their educational experience will become more engaging, they will have improved accessibility, and growth in their learning experience. At PA Virtual, we meet these challenges and believe in supporting the student to reach their academic goals. Learn more about what PA Virtual has to offer your student in their academic journey and how our academic services may be the right fit!