The Learning Coach Experience

Although Learning Coaches do not instruct, there are several critical support functions that our students require at home.

Think about it. Teachers typically manage time and establish expectations of behavior in their classrooms. They redirect students to pay attention or to reattempt a task when required. Overall, they provide much-needed structure and expectations regarding behavior and engagement in school. UVA teachers cannot do very many of those things remotely. Instead, those aspects of the teacher's role shift to the Learning Coach in the learning environment -- not necessarily in real-time because that is not always practical, but most certainly daily.

Although it would be nice, it is not reasonable to expect a young person to be 100% self-directed. With rare exceptions, students require an adult to monitor their engagement and progress in school. They need someone to encourage them and keep them focused (on the correct tasks). Even the most mature, highly organized high school student requires direction and guidance. Besides, learning online is different. That's why we guide you and our new students through this onboarding period of orientation and training.

The bottom line is this. Each child is different, but in varying degrees -- depending on age and maturity -- all of our students require structure, guidance, encouragement, and monitoring in the learning environment. That's where the Learning Coach comes in.

There are five videos below. Four videos highlight features of your Learning Coach role. (We provide more extensive training is in "Phase III -- Detailed Learning Coach Training.") One of the videos introduces Remind -- the primary communications tool your Learning Coach Partner uses to support you and keep you informed.

Please watch all of the recordings. Total viewing time is approximately one hour.