There's no easy way to transition entire classes, schools, and curriculums online and switch to remote teaching. Across Europe we've witnessed challenges from government indecision to technological shortcomings.

But for all the reports of systems not working and children's education being below par, there are millions of teachers and parents around the world working hard to make the best of a tough situation.

We spoke to Elise Ecoff, the group education director for Nord Anglia Schools – a network of 69 private schools across 29 countries, teaching 67,000 students – about some of the challenges the pandemic has posed for the international school system, as well as her tips for learning success at home.

Top tips for online learning

1 - BE A WELL-BEING CHAMPION

"Being a well-being champion is a really important thing for parents. Children are going through – whether they are five or 15 – a lot of changes and we may not even understand what those are. So be available to them, try to get them to communicate how they're feeling."

2 - SET UP YOUR CHILD FOR SUCCESS

"Set your child up for success – and that is really to create an environment at home that is optimal for their learning – and that may be different for different students.

"Help them to advocate for themselves with their teacher and step in where you need to and make sure that you keep in close contact with the teacher."

3 - REIMAGINE LEARNING

"Reimagine learning, and that's just to take advantage of the fact that learning happens everywhere. So when you're cooking a meal, include your child in that.

"There are so many different ways to think about learning beyond just the books. And so make sure that you engage them in those and that you get active in their learning."

4 - ADOPT SILVER-LINING THINKING

"Adopt silver-lining thinking. While there are so many tragic things about this pandemic, there's also a lot of opportunity. You're spending more time with your children.

"Are there some hobbies that you might want to adopt with them, or are there ways in which you can adopt some special projects, make the most of the time that you have together?"

AND WHAT ABOUT THE TEACHERS?

"Like the metaphor of the oxygen mask and the child on the airplane, teachers need to take care of themselves so they can take care of all of those students that are in their charge."

Despite the difficulties of education and learning during the global pandemic, Ecoff said it is important to recognize the opportunities it can present. 

"We all know that students learn differently at different rates in different places and sometimes the opportunities that online learning brings are that students have more time to get their work done. They don't have the pressure of friends and classmates who might finish at a quicker pace.

"[And] you can bring more of the world into the online classroom. There are virtual field trips. Learning is a little more international online... and that's a good thing."

Video editor: David Bamford