Virtual School vs. Homeschool
The number of kids in traditional schools is declining, and many families are choosing to homeschool them. But what about online schooling? It’s a growing trend – not just for teens but also for younger children too! This inspired us to explore the topic, “virtual school vs homeschool.” Let’s explore the pros and cons so you can decide if an online education might be right for your family.
Pros and Cons of Homeschooling
For many families, homeschooling could be the perfect alternative to traditional schooling. You can tailor your child’s education so that it suits their individual strengths and interests, while also observing them closely, since all educational activities are taking place within a close proximity in your home. And of course, this also eliminates the need for school transportation or commuting to and from a school building.
Homeschooling could be the perfect way for families to get a customized education that meets their needs. However, there are some drawbacks with this process, as well. One of these is difficulty in finding an appropriate curriculum. Not all curricular resources will suit your child’s learning style or be able to address the academic challenges they might face. A potential drawback of homeschooling is that kids would miss out on the socialization benefits that could be afforded in a traditional school setting.
What is a virtual school, and what are the benefits of it?
A virtual school, on the other hand, could provide you and your child with more assurance of academic success. This type of schooling allows students to complete their coursework in a virtual classroom environment using online resources. Your child will study independently at times, but then they may be required to work with an instructor for virtual class periods or virtual tutoring, depending on what online learning model you choose.
The virtual school experience can allow your children to collaborate with classmates from all over the world! Furthermore, it provides flexibility for how classes are completed; some virtual learning options are available at any time of day or night since it is “anytime, anyplace, anywhere learning.”
So why have virtual schools become such a popular option? Here’s what people like about this kind of education:
- Kids can complete their virtual school work at a time that is convenient for them, depending on their age and schedule.
- Some virtual schools provide individualized support to help your child learn the way they best absorb new information, giving them more confidence and improving understanding.
- Virtual schooling allows students to interact with other virtual learners across the globe! It’s a great way to inspire creativity and broaden horizons in addition to providing one-to-one mentorship from an online instructor. With virtual schools, there are no geographical restrictions – your child can hunt for classes or teachers anywhere around the world!…
Furthermore, virtual schools provide flexibility in how you study. Many online classrooms allow students to choose when they study, since lessons are available any time of day or night.
How to choose between homeschooling or virtual schooling for your child
So which option is right for you? It’s a matter of weighing the benefits and drawbacks against your own personal situation. Before making any decisions, you will want to do some research into virtual schools that are available in your area or online virtual education providers if this would be more convenient for you.
“When choosing between virtual schooling and homeschooling, consider what works best with your child’s learning style,” advises Charles Titus on his blog article about virtual schooling vs. homeschooling .
One’s “school day” is also important to take into consideration. Hours can be late and stressful since virtual schools may not offer the same level of support as a traditional school setting. In addition, virtual schooling might have stricter deadlines to meet than you’d find in homeschooling; this means your child may need to stay on top of their coursework every day instead of every few days.
“Ultimately, virtual schooling vs. homeschooling comes down to what works best for you,” Titus says. “Every family has its own unique circumstances, so it’s important to take into account all aspects before making a decision.”
Common misconceptions about homeschooling vs. virtual schooling
If you’re still unsure about virtual schooling vs. homeschooling, there are additional things you should know. There may be preconceptions or worries that can make it difficult to make the right decision for your child.
Taking virtual courses might not teach students as much as regular schooling does, but this isn’t necessarily true! In virtual schools, students can access many of the same resources they would learn from in a traditional school setting. They will also get a chance to interact with other virtual learners who live far away – learning common interests and global perspectives is an excellent developmental opportunity for your kids.
When virtual learning is performed under the supervision of a professional virtual school provider, this option can be implemented with as much fidelity and interaction as a traditional school setting. It’s important to check virtual school reviews and choose a reputable company if you’re interested in this kind of education.
Other concerns about virtual schools include whether your child will have access to the same resources that traditional schools provide. With some virtual schools, you’ll have access to things like textbooks and educational games – but, they may not be made available on demand like with a traditional school.
Things you will need before beginning either option
Before you get started with virtual schooling or homeschooling, there are some important items to have on hand.
Because virtual schools often entail working with virtual classrooms, students will need a computer or tablet. If your child doesn’t own one of these devices yet, consider getting one as soon as possible so they can start taking virtual classes.
Other necessities depend on how you plan to go about virtual schooling. If you will be using an online service that requires the use of educational software (such as Blackboard Learn), then you’ll want to create a user account beforehand that your child can access when needed for class assignments. In addition, virtual schools may require you to buy textbooks, virtual ID badges or other things that your child will need to complete classwork.
Lastly, be sure to check with your local state laws to see if virtual schooling is available. You will need to be aware of the virtual schooling requirements before enrolling in virtual school.
Recap
- Consider virtual schooling vs. homeschooling as two options with pros and cons of each, then decide which option you would prefer for your family.
- Be sure to check virtual school reviews before enrolling in virtual school – it’s important to find a reputable institution whose virtual classroom supports your child’s personalized learning needs based on their gifts, talents, passions and developmental areas of need.
- Make sure that virtual schooling is legal in the state in which you live before beginning this mode of education yourself or recommending it as suitable for your child(ren).
