The Corona pandemic has shown that learning at a distance and over the Internet is more difficult for some children than others. There are various reasons for this: Some students are more easily distracted at home or lack guidance from the teacher. In some families, there is no quiet place to study. Or the necessary technical equipment is lacking. In Part 1 of our series of articles, we have tips for you on where to find equipment so that your child can learn well even from home.
Many children and almost all young people over the age of 13 have their own smartphone. Even though the small device can do quite a lot, it is difficult to participate in video conferences with the class and solve assignments via the small screen. However, since not every family has enough laptops or PCs, sometimes there is no other way.
Besides, not every family has a fixed Internet connection and stable Wi-Fi at home. Without the Internet, homeschooling doesn’t really work at all!
Many schools have received money from the state to purchase digital equipment. This often includes tablets. They have a larger display than cell phones. Students who do not have their own computer for learning can borrow a device from their school for an extended period of time. Just ask if this is possible at your child’s school? Not everyone knows this, and tablets sometimes lie unused in schools.
If that’s not an option at your school, there’s another solution: through the Federal Employment Agency , families who don’t have enough money for multiple laptops can apply for grants specifically designed to purchase devices for distance learning during pandemic times. Read more directly from the employment agency.
Help also comes from associations that collect computer donations, prepare computers and pass them on to people who cannot afford their own equipment. Various projects make this possible: “Hey, dude!” exists in more than 20 cities and regions throughout Germany. Children and young people can get laptops and computers there. The projects re:pc:pb from Paderborn and Angestöpselt e.V. from Würzburg also hand out computers to children and young people.
In some cities and towns there are social funds where you can get assistance. It is best to ask at your city hall. Often, employees know who you can contact. Perhaps you can also talk to your neighbors and see if you can share Internet access.
Asking for help is not easy for everyone. In doing so, there are many people who are happy to help and support so that your children can learn well.