The benefits of having learning pods at home

If you had asked your parents a few months ago how they felt about 'pods', you might have received an answer about gardening or green bean recipes.

Right now, learning pods are one of the hottest topics among parents and educators this school year, with some even calling them the "future of education".

Learning pods, also known as 'pandemic pods' or 'mini schools', are small groups of students who come together to learn and play under the guidance of a teacher or instructor.

Last spring, as schools closed across the country due to COVID-19, pods started popping up. Parents struggled to balance full-time childcare with full-time work. Many families found they could pool their resources and form isolated 'bubbles' to help weather the pandemic.

With no COVID-19 vaccine available, the popularity of study pods only continues to grow as parents remain reluctant to send their children back to school.

Over 40,000 parents have formed a community on Facebook to network and ask questions, while education providers, including KidzToPros, have launched structured and secure versions of their learning platforms.

So, what's all the buzz about? Explore some of the key benefits of Learning Pods below.

Students will grow more when schools tailor their teaching to individual needs, skills and interests.

However, personalised learning can be difficult for schools to implement. In a classroom of 25 or more children, it is almost impossible for teachers to personalise lessons for each student.

Like home school co-ops, Learning Pods are small enough that personalised learning is ingrained in this culture.

Learning Pod teachers have the time and opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of each student's strengths and weaknesses and then develop a personalised curriculum to suit those abilities.

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to climb in many parts of the country, are traditional schools safe this year? The jury (and science) is still out on that question.

The CDC encourages schools to open up because of the vital role they play in the community - providing a safe and supportive environment for students, jobs for teachers and support staff, and parenting services for parents.

However, even school districts that attempted to reopen using the strictest safety protocols experienced outbreaks in the first few weeks, resulting in classrooms being quarantined or reverting to online instruction only.

In essence, learning pods are safer than traditional classrooms.

Although small group instruction is possible through distance learning using technologies such as Zoom's breakout rooms, most teachers teach the whole class at once.

Learning groups, on the other hand, focus on individualised instruction while incorporating group activities.

Small group teaching is so effective that ancient Greek philosophers, including Confucius and Socrates, used this method to guide discussions.

In small groups, students tend to have a deeper understanding of the content, as it is easier to explore what they understand and which concepts are still unclear.

Group work has also been shown to encourage teamwork, inclusivity and collaboration, all skills that will help students succeed in life and in their future careers.