On the hunt for a list of distance learning must haves? Our list below is full of products that have made our life so much easier during the crazy transition. No matter what they’re calling your school situation this year–– distance learning, virtual learning, dynamic learning–– there’s a strong chance we will all see some element of at-home learning within the school year. I don’t know about you but I’m all for the things that make this less than ideal situation a little more manageable.
I started this list in the spring, during crisis learning. At some point I hit the what does it even matter it’s all hopeless point of the pandemic and didn’t finish it. As we embark on the new school year, I feel that motivation coming back. My goal is not only to make this a positive experience for my kids, but for myself as well.
Below is a gathering of distance learning tools that we have used every single day and have made mine and my kids’ life just a tiny bit easier.
Our Distance Learning Must Haves
Headphones: A great set of kid’s headphones that won’t break the bank, are comfortable and have a built in microphone. Having two kids distance learning in one room, these have been clutch.
Blue Light Blocking Glasses: I don’t know the science behind these but they seem to help and that anecdotal evidence is enough for me. These come in a two pack and are technically adult sizes because my kids have adult sized heads. Ha!
Timer: I bought them in a 2 pack for the random breaks both kids have. They can set it themselves and know when to head back to their computer when the break is over. Plus it’s magnetic and lives on their metal wall file holder (linked below).
Screen Cleaner Kit: I have never cleaned so many screens in my life. This kit comes with a cloth and large bottle to last you awhile. As of this publish date, there’s a $5 off coupon too!
Wall Folder Rack: These have been so amazing to keep the boys’ papers and schoolwork organized by subject. I used my handy dandy label maker (linked below) to mark each slot with a subject so everything is easy to find. I’m all about setting them up for success to be independent to make my job easier.
Label Maker: I used to laugh at people who labeled everything but I am now a believer. Like I said above, setting my kids up for success is directly correlated to my sanity. I labeled everything–their laptops with their login information, subjects on their wall folder rack, supply drawers, the list goes on. I’m obsessed with it.
Lap Desk: I don’t know about your kids but by the end of a DL school day, my kids have changed locations 87 times. These lap desks are perfect when the floor is the destination they choose. It help keeps the computer at eye level and/or gives them a hard surface to write on when needed.
Shark Tooth Chew Toys: I talked about these on our Favorite Things podcast episode. They have really saved the life of a lot of Ticonderoga pencils in this house.
Dry Erase Pockets: My kids have used the crap out of these. I put their weekly schedule in one and use the others as dry erase boards.
Echo Dot: Alexa, get my kids on a schedule. But for real, I put all the times when they need to log on in the morning, after breaks, etc. For some reason, the robot voice has much more authority than my own and it has been such a big help with time management while distance learning.
What distance learning must have products have helped you on this learning from home journey? I’m always looking for ways to work smarter not harder!
Leave a Reply