Are you considering homeschooling your children or enrolling in an online school? It might surprise you to learn there is a significant difference between the two.
The benefits of online schooling over homeschooling
Online schools are becoming more and more popular every day. A recent study showed that the number of online students has doubled in the past ten years, and it is estimated that by 2025, over 75% of all students will be enrolled in at least one online class. There are many reasons for this growing trend, but one of the biggest is the fact that online schools offer many benefits that traditional schools do not. Let's take a look at some of those benefits.
What are online schools and how do they work?
Now that you know a bit more about online schools, you may be wondering how they work. Online schools are typically managed by a charter school organization. These organizations are responsible for hiring teachers, setting curriculum, and managing the school's budget. Parents who enroll their children in online schools will usually have to do some of the work themselves, such as creating a learning plan for their children and helping them with their coursework.
One of the benefits of online schooling is that it can be more affordable than traditional schools. In addition, online schools offer more flexibility than traditional schools in terms of when and where students can learn. Students can often take classes at any time of day that works best for them, and they can complete their coursework from anywhere they have an internet connection.
The benefits of online schooling over homeschooling
Parents who are considering online schools for their children may be wondering if online schooling is better than homeschooling. Here are some of the benefits of online schooling over homeschooling:
- Online schools offer more flexibility than homeschooling in terms of when and where students can learn. Students can often take classes at any time of day that works best for them, and they can complete their coursework from anywhere they have an internet connection.
- Online schools are typically more affordable than homeschooling. In addition, online schools offer a wider variety of courses than homeschooling does.
- Online schools provide students with more opportunities to socialize with other students. This can be important for students who need to interact with others their age in order to feel comfortable and successful in school.
How online schools compare to traditional schools
When it comes to online schooling, many parents are hesitant to enroll their children because they are unsure of how it compares to traditional schooling. Here is a look at some of the pros and cons of online schooling:
Pros:
- online schools offer a flexible schedule that can be tailored to each student's needs;
- online schools are often less expensive than traditional schools;
- online schools allow students to learn at their own pace; and
- nline schools provide students with opportunities to learn in a variety of ways, including through videos, text, and interactive activities.
Cons:
- online schools can be difficult to find;
- online schools may not be accredited;
- online schools may not be available in all states; and
- Online schools may not be appropriate for all students.
How to choose the right online school for your child
When you are looking for online schools, it is important to find the one that is best for your child. There are a lot of online schools out there, so it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. Here are some things to think about when choosing an online school:
- Does the online school offer a flexible schedule that can be tailored to my child's needs?
- Is the online school less expensive than traditional schools?
- Will my child be able to learn at his or her own pace?
- What kinds of learning opportunities will my child have?
- Is the online school accredited?
- Is the online school available in my state?
- Is the online school appropriate for my child's age and grade level?
- Tips for success in online learning
It can be difficult to be successful in online learning, but with the right tips, it is definitely possible. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Make sure you are organized. online learning can require a lot of self-discipline, so it is important to stay organized and on top of your work.
- Set aside time for distractions. online learning can be distracting, so it is important to set aside time for activities that aren't schoolwork. This will help you stay focused when you need to be.
- Get familiar with the tools of online learning. There are many tools available to online learners, such as chat rooms, wikis, and blogs. Make sure you are familiar with these tools and know how to use them effectively.
- Stay in touch with your instructor. online instructors are available to help students via email, chat, or phone calls. Make sure you take advantage of this support system and contact your instructor if you have any questions or problems.
A Final Word
So, what is online schooling? It can be defined as a type of education in which students receive their instruction and coursework exclusively or primarily online. This includes virtual schools in which all the teaching takes place online, as well as blended learning programs that combine online with traditional brick-and-mortar instruction. What about homeschooling? Homeschooling has been around for centuries and is basically defined as parents educating their children at home instead of sending them to public or private school.
While there are some similarities between online schooling and homeschooling, they are also quite different. For one thing, online schools usually have more structure than homeschooling does (although this varies depending on the program). Also, online schools typically require students to meet certain attendance requirements, whereas with homeschooling you may have more flexibility in terms of when and how your child learns.
Finally, online schools often provide more social interaction than homeschooling does, although this again depends on the program. So...which is better? That's really up to the individual family to decide! However, we hope that this article has provided some helpful information about both online schooling and homeschooling so that you can make an informed decision.
There are many excellent programs from which to choose depending on your child's age and your location. Schools such as NorthStar Academy offer both structured learning with professional teachers as well as resources for homeschooling to parents who decide a custom curriculum is right for their children.