One of the top questions that people ask when I tell them we home educate AND that I ask myself is "What if you don't know something that they need to learn?". It's a great question to which I always answer "Then I'll learn myself or if I can't I'll find help from someone who does".
That's where Plassroom has come in.
Plassroom is a virtual class room with various tutors for different subjects ranging from preschool play and sing along sessions, learning coding through Mine Craft or GCSE level math and English tutoring.
We first started using Plassroom in November 2022 with classes for both the children on completely different subjects. I went in not knowing what to expect, if the children would focus or be disruptive to the other people in the class, whether they would actually come away having learnt anything or if they would even enjoy this style of learning/play!
You can see the classes available on the home page of Plassroom and can filter them by age range, topic or by a key word search. once you have found a good class to join you can then look at the teacher bio and read more about them and their credentials to make sure they are a good match for you and what you would like from the lessons. We have also been able to put forward to the Plassroom team what are needs and wants are for different lessons and we now have a weekly 1:1 phonics session for Calliope which have been a real turning point in our home ed journey this year!
Once you book into a session you are added to a parent/teacher group chat where you can ask any questions about the class, see the other parents involved and the teacher can send you any resources you might need (print outs, PDF, letting you know you'll need colouring pens etc) which is really helpful and a much easier and secure way of communicating than by email.
Lauchlans experience on Plassroom has been brilliant. We have done several toddler style classes, occasionally with Calliope too. They are fun, interactive and the teacher Charlotte is so wonderful with the kids. All the children in the class can see each other but are muted until Charlotte takes them off. This allows the kids to be as loud as they like, talk to their parents about the class, sing and dance along without disturbing others but still feel like they are a part of the group. Each session lasts for 30 minutes which is a wonderful amount of time for a toddler class, any longer than this and I think Lauchlan would lose interest and walk away. These classes usually run once a month and as Charlotte is a speech and language therapist have been not only fun but encouraged real growth from Lauchlan in his communication both verbally and asking with actions.
Calliope has done a HUGE range of a lessons with various teachers on Plassroom from learning the 5 sense with a mythical creature journey (with puppets!), learning about the Lunar New Year, counting to 5 in Mandarin, Art classes and her weekly Phonics lessons. She has enjoyed every single one of them and I am now constantly on the lookout for different classes to sign her up to!
Each teachers style has been very different each time but all of them have been very engaging and as hands on/practical based as a virtual session could possibly be. They have always had so much patience for Calliope and have even adapted their teaching to her learning style in continued classes. I've also gotten detailed feedback from her phonics teacher Phebe after every session which has been great as it gives me an insight into what we need to focus on and work on together.
Positives -
Small rooms. each class is very small compared to other virtual lessons we have tried if not 1:1. This means there's more focus on each child and more time to answer questions.
Engaging. Each session is really engaging and fun no matter the topic.
Can be done anywhere. As these classes are virtual they can be done anywhere! This means we don't have to miss a session when we go away and as long as we have wi-fi or phone signal even if we're running behind schedule we can quickly hop on and join in even in the car.
Cost effective. There are different payment options available including a subscription service where you can buy "Plass Coins" to spend on any sessions in a month. Our 1:1 phonics tutoring for Calliope is £15 for a 30 minute session (although it usually runs over with Calliope making up a song each lesson) but is tailored specifically to her which is much less than hiring an in-person tutor for the same length of time. Many of the sessions are also free which is the perfect way to trial something new before committing.
Negatives -
Requires internet/tablet/computer. I was clutching at straws to find downsides with this one honestly! You do have to have access to a screen and an internet connection in order to be able to access most of the sessions HOWEVER this summer Plassroom are holding in-person play session at 2 locations in London and know that they have run these sessions at other times during the year too. If we were closer we definitely would go and hope then when we visit London later in the year that we will be able to stop in and say hi!
Concentration on screen can be hard. Especially for the younger classes concentrating on a screen for any length of time can be challenging. However most Plassroom classes are around 30 minutes and this shorter length is a real bonus for keeping younger minds engaged. Compared to other online learning settings that we have tried where the sessions have been 50 minutes+, not interactive and more like a seminar Plassroom classes are much easier to focus on.
Some classes aren't consistent. Some of the classes that we really enjoyed unfortunately aren't running any more and others aren't scheduled to specific days/weeks each month which can be a little tricky, especially when you have a little one asking when they can do it again and you can't give them an answer. However, I do love that there is a space for the tutors to be able to offer what they can, when they can and wouldn't want to change that either as I know there is a need for it in every sector.
In summary, we love it! I'm so glad that we discovered these wonderful classes and the range that they have to offer. I now have day dreams of being able to offer my own classes to offer on there one day and strongly encourage you to take a look for your own children.
If you can't see something that is right for you at the time then please do reach out to their wonderful team as I'm sure they could facilitate something for you and your needs!
What virtual lessons do you wish you could have?
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