Check out our new Remote Learning and Shared Home Office Space, as well as some tips, tools and essential gear for e-learning success.
How to Create the Ideal Remote Learning Space
Our kiddos start school again on September 1st and they will be learning from home for at least the first trimester. Although the plan is far from ideal, I have to say I was really relieved that our district came to this decision fairly early — by late July. Its given us over a month to get into the right frame of mind and to rethink our home learning space to create the best environment possible.
Back in the spring when the kids first came home, we ended up using our dining room table as our remote learning space. While that setup gave us plenty of space to spread out, it wasn’t very organized and after a while it felt like we had school supplies, books and iPads covering every square inch of the first floor. It wasn’t something I was eager to do again this fall.
Repurposing an Existing Space
We actually had an existing home office in this space previously but it was way, way overdue for an update. As you can see from the pic below, the original desk setup was too small. While I could fit at my desk only one of the kids could fit at their shared space. The space also functions as my photography space and acts as a mudroom since its right off our back door entry. Over the years, things had become crowded and messy and not as functional as we needed. It was definitely time for a change.
The first thing to go was the couch. Although I’ve always enjoyed curling up there to work, it wasn’t truly necessary. Getting rid of it offered so much more room for desks and storage. Once we decide to let that go, it was time to configure a desk setup.
Since this new space has to function as a shared home office and remote learning space for he two kids AND continue to function as my office space (AND offer storage for my photography equipment AND our coats, shoes and bags), I was pretty adamant that the space contain the following elements:
- A dedicated desk space with storage for each person (for us, that means 3 dedicated work spaces).
- A larger storage piece for books, art supplies and my photography equipment (the big bookshelf in the corner).
- A “mudroom” piece to contain our coats, shoes and bags (the vintage style lockers ended up being the perfect solution).
IKEA DESKS FTW
After a LOT of online research, I determined that the IKEA Linnmon Desk System would be the best fit for our space. We purchased a Linnmon Corner Desktop, as well as a 78″ Linnmon Tabletop. When combined, those two pieces spanned the entire length of our window wall for the kids’s desks and made use of the corner space to create a larger workspace for me.
The beauty of this Ikea system is the ability to integrate drawers as the support bases beneath the tabletops. We chose three ALEX Drawer units (as well as one set of Adils table legs for support at the very end of the desk)– which gives each of us a dedicated set of drawers for our own things.
In our previous space, the kids and I shared a drawer space and they were constantly in my drawers. This system is much more functional and provides some personal ownership for each of us. Inside, the kids each have dedicated drawers for their school supplies and their tech gear like chargers, headsets and styluses.
Portable “Study Carrels” for Privacy
One concern that friends have raised about our setup is the privacy issue. Even though the kids typically use headsets for remote learning, having a window in front of them and a sibling seated inches away can be distracting. To give them a sense of privacy, we created portable study carrels (if you’re not old enough to remember that ancient term, search Folding Homework Station on Pinterest) using trifold cardboard presentation boards. We actually cut a single trifold presentation board in half width-wise to create two shorter Homework Stations. These boards are easy to tuck under the desk when not in use, but can be set up in front of them to create a private workspace at a moment’s notice.
For more detailed How-To instructions, head over to this post.
This is an ideal option if you aren’t able to create a dedicated desk space for remote learning. By incorporating features like Dry Erase Storage Pockets and a supply pouch, your child will have everything they need at their fingertips. Set it up at the kitchen table, then fold it up and tuck in away when done.
Essential Remote Learning Storage
For additional storage, we picked up a bookcase that offers closed-door storage on the bottom. That’s where I keep my photography equipment and backgrounds. And on top, we’ve stored art supplies, books and other critical items the kids might need throughout the year.
Given the potential challenges we’ll be facing this year, I also thought it was important to add a few of my favorite momentos and some motivational artwork to the shelf. To finish things off, Lilly suggested we relocate her fish tank so her pet beta fish and snail could be our “class pets.”
The Lockers
Of course, everyone’s favorite part of this space has got to be the lockers. These were a bit of a splurge but absolutely worth it. This space is adjacent to our back door and has always functioned in a “mudroom” capacity, housing our books, coats, shoes and other outdoor nonsense. During the winter months it can quickly become chaotic, so I felt it was important to find a solution that offered each of us a dedicated space and DOORS to contain it all. Vintage-style school lockers are the perfect solution.
Essential Gear for Remote Learning
Although the school year hasn’t started yet, we’re feeling pretty good about this workspace — enough that its got all of us excited to start the year. The kids have spent time decorating their lockers, organizing their drawers and generally grasping for some of the excitement that typically comes with the back to school season.
Its also provided a good opportunity to reassess our supplies and determine what additional items would help make Remote Learning smoother this fall. Here’s a list of the other items we’ve picked up so far:
Dry Erase Pockets: Slip in your child’s daily schedule and cross it off as the day goes along or use it to create reusable worksheets.
Headsets with Integrated Microphone: These were recommended by the kids’ school. My house may look like a call center but this makes it so much easier to conduct multiple zoom calls in the same room at the same time.
Tablet compatible Stylus: Much more precise than fingers and can function like a pen.
Fidget Toys: I picked up a bulk container of fidget toys like stress balls and spinners to hand out during especially long zoom calls. The hope is that keeping their fingers engaged will help them stay seated and paying attention longer. They also make great rewards.
However your family will be returning to school– remote learning or otherwise– I wish you a safe and happy year!
