The Study Space: Strive for Ideal, Cope with Distractions, Demand Performance

KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- High-school students clearly benefit from an appropriate learning environment, but student attitude and parental expectations matter more.

That's the message from educators with experience dealing with students in both ideal and less than ideal situations. Their advice: create a home study space that's as close to ideal as you can manage, but let teens know they are responsible for results regardless of circumstances.

A lot of things have changed since today's parents were in high school. Then, the big question was whether television and music were improper distractions that interfered with study. Today, add cell phones, texting and the Internet to the mix.

So, what constitutes an ideal environment for study time? Lisa Gillis has literally written the book on learning environments. She is the co-author of  "Virtual Schooling: A Guide to Optimizing Your Child's Education" (Palgrave Macmillan, 2009).

Gillis, the Director of Government Affairs and School Development at Insight Schools, Inc., says an ideal learning environment is dedicated exclusively to schoolwork. Gillis' experience stems from not only her job with an online school, but also her experience as a mom who has had her children take online classes.

Her advice combines inspiration with practical knowledge to equip the parent to make the best-informed choice for their student.

"The area could be as elaborate as an entire room transformed into a classroom, or a small desk space in an office," Gillis said. "Occasionally, students like to take a break and sit on the couch with their laptops, but unless this is the best way your child learns, reserve this for special occasions."

Where you set this space up within the home is key, she added. It needs to be out of the traffic flow and able to be shut off from distractions. "Make sure the area has good lighting, a desk at the right height, a chair for proper ergonomics, and good ventilation," she adds, and study time should be consistently scheduled, not haphazard.

On the other hand, lack of an ideal learning environment should not be an excuse for students who fail to meet expectations. A burned-out light bulb, or a road crew using jackhammers, can't justify an incomplete assignment or failed test.

Veteran teacher Vicki Conway says parents should make teens responsible for their grades, and for figuring out how best to overcome any temporary issues with distractions or interruptions.

"Identifying what works and what doesn't work is a valuable, life-long learning skill," Conway said.

Conway's insights on individual learning styles and environments stem from experience with an extremely broad cross-section of students. As an instructor for Insight Schools, a national network of tuition-free, diploma-granting, online public high schools, her students have ranged from elite athletes and entertainers to youngsters with social or medical issues that make traditional classroom instruction impractical.

Conway has excelled at motivating students to do their best, and as a result, is the current National Teacher of the Year for Insight Schools after being named California Teacher of the Year three times.

She doesn't have much patience with excuses.

"I've had students who have been able to complete high school while staying in a homeless shelter, fitting in office hours between shifts at work, or studying from a hospital bed," she said. "It's not as much about having a traditional desk set up as it is about a willingness to come to school, work hard, and succeed."  

About Insight Schools, Inc.

With 10 schools in eight states, Insight Schools Inc. is the nation's largest network of tuition-free, diploma-granting, online public high schools. To learn more, call 800-975-8006 or visit www.insightschools.net. For more information about online learning in general, visit the North American Council for Online Learning at www.nacol.org.

SOURCE Insight Schools, Inc.