Most estimates indicate home schooling is on the rise. Exact numbers are hard to come by, but more and more parents are opting to teach their children at home, and with good reason. Studies show that home- schooled children achieve higher averages on standardized tests than their public school peers. Even considering things like transportation to local clubs and events, the shipping cost of books, school supplies and other incidentals, homeschooling can be more affordable than public school. Not surprisingly, internet schools are a relatively new option included in this trend.
Benefits Of Homeschooling Online
Internet education can be considered part of the reason for the surge in home schooling. Home-schooled students using internet schools have the best of both worlds.
Certified Teaching Staff
Online homeschool classes give parents the added support of a certified teaching staff just like a physical school. Much of the coursework is done online and parents can still give their children vivid, real world learning experiences.
You Get The Supplies You Need
Most online homeschool programs also handle additional equipment requirements such as books and software by picking up the shipping cost of having everything delivered to the student’s home. In many cases, shipping is handled automatically based on the student’s course schedule eliminating the hassle of finding all the correct materials. If it time to dissect a frog for science, one will show up on the doorstep.
Flexibility
Internet schools modeled after those schools that offer college classes online allow flexibility that would be impossible in physical schools. If the student is more inclined to read in the morning and do math in the afternoon, they’re able to adjust their lessons accordingly. It’s common knowledge not all students learn the same way; internet schools allow for these differences. Physical schools don’t have the ability to tailor their programs in such a way.
Keeps Parents In The Loop
Homeschooling online also offer real time updates showing parents and students areas that could use improvement, and makes suggestions for how to do so. It’s simple to identify concepts a student is having trouble with and explore additional resources to immediately address the issue. With traditional schools it can be months before any such report is available showing the student’s progress.
Student Tailored Education
If a student needs to spend more time grasping a particular concept they can work on it until they understand. It is easy to provide the student with extra practice, resources or help sessions. Because of the lower student to teacher ratio, online students often get a more student tailored education.
Conclusion
Home schooling has come a long way from simply shipping books to a student’s home and letting the parents do all the work. Parents now have the option of more support. With online homeschool programs widely available, homeschooling parents have access to the same resources as a physical school and can give their children an education designed specifically to meet their needs.
Homeschooling Resources: