Nowadays, when a family mentions they are homeschooling their children it is not as unusual as it was 10 years ago. Back then, online middle and high schools were relatively new concepts and people often fear what they don’t know. Today, online schools and homeschools can offer even more opportunities for teenage students. Many states even require students to take some online courses to graduate high school. With the ever increasing growth of technology in every day life, many families are becoming more comfortable with the concept of online learning.
This is what happens when students wake up at 6:00am to catch the bus and make it to school on time.
This is what happens when students wake up at 6:00am to catch the bus and make it to school on time.
Benefits of Online Courses
Online courses have many advantages for students that do not require constant monitoring and supervision. Online courses allow students to move at their own pace, a pace that is comfortable for them. This takes pressure off of students and allows them to take their time when learning new concepts. They can read things over, rewatch videos, and redo assignments. Students learn better when they are not pressured with deadlines. Another benefit of online learning is that students do not have to wake up at 6am to attend a class they are half asleep for. Many students in traditional schools are so tired during the day that it is difficult to learn and retain any information.
With online programs, students can wake up at more reasonable times so they are refreshed and ready to learn. They can also take breaks throughout the day to break up the monotony. If they are not understanding a concept, they can take a break and come back to it later. They can also try to learn the concepts a variety of ways. A student that is very visual can watch a video presentation, interactive game, or a “map in motion”. Many programs offer an option that allows text to speech as well audio lessons.
Extra Curricular Activities for online homeschools students
Online students are no longer isolated with city sports, dance and martial arts teams, music classes, online school clubs and social media sites.
Gone are the days where homeschoolers and online students are isolated. With the growth of technology, students are constantly connected through social media, blogs, chat and email. Online students and homeschoolers participate in city sports, dance and martial arts, music lessons and other extracurricular activities. Many online programs such as American High School in Fort Lauderdale Florida offer school clubs, contests, and competitions. AHS even has their own social network that allows their students to connect with other students throughout the world.
This online student looks forward to school every day!
Not every student is a good fit for homeschooling or studying online. Many students require constant support and monitoring. These students thrive on face to face interaction, guidance and support. Although, this can be accomplished via Skype, webcams, video chat and whiteboard, for many students it is not the same as being in a classroom. There are fantastic programs out there that provide different levels of support for different types of students. It is important to find the program that is the best fit for your children.
Many online programs and homeschools provide demos that will allow you to try out the program and see if it is a good fit before enrolling. Make sure you do the research because it can make the difference in providing a successful online experience for you and your children.
