Image Source: pexels

Due to covid-19 pandemic in 2020, many people have struggled to manage staying safe without sacrificing their old lives. Besides their jobs, one of the most greatly affected is their child’s education. That is when many families have explored beyond the traditional education models—online learning and homeschooling.

But as you might already know, the concept of homeschooling is not new. It has been around since the late 20th century. And while it offers numerous benefits compared to traditional schooling, it also has certain drawbacks. Fortunately, a new form of learning has emerged, thanks to modern technology. And this blog will explain how online education becomes an improved version of homeschooling. Let’s get started! 

An Overview 

Traditional Homeschooling 

In traditional homeschooling, everything is parent-led. They’re responsible for finding learning materials, planning the lesson, and teaching various subjects to their child. And with many families choosing the homeschooling setup, many resources are available now, such as lesson plans and pre-made curriculums. 

The biggest advantage homeschooling provides is that parents can regulate the content their children are exposed to. This is helpful, especially if your child has been through trauma, because many books taught in regular classes touch on these difficult topics. And sometimes, teachers overlook that these concepts can be triggering to some students. 

Moreover, homeschooling helps parents build better relationships with their children. But what happens if a parent is unavailable or unequipped to organize their child’s educational process? This is where online learning comes in.

Online Learning 

Online education, often referred to as distance learning or E-learning,  is still new, as it only started in the early 2000s. But
with the advancement of technology through the years, it has grown so much to provide high-quality, thoughtfully-designed, and student-focused learning experiences. It fosters productive interactions between students, peers, teachers, and course materials. Furthermore, online learning offers an accredited curriculum and teacher-led courses, which helps if the child wants to take up complex subjects, like online coding.Consequently, many families are turning to well-structured online programs that follow internationally recognized standards. The British curriculum, for instance, is now widely available online through different providers, with Cambridge School serving as an example of how learners can access a globally accredited education within a flexible, student-centered environment.

What Makes Online Learning A Better Setup?

There are numerous reasons why online education makes a better alternative to homeschooling. Here are a few:

More Convenient 

Of course, parents already carry a lot of responsibilities on their shoulders for being parents. And buying learning materials and building a curriculum for their child would just add to it, which could result in mismanagement of everything they do.

By choosing online learning, working parents will have more time on their hands, such as doing home chores, doing what they once loved before being a parent, and other things. But this doesn’t mean that they will not be involved in their child’s education. They can still serve as their child’s home support system. They’re not just part of the curriculum-building process anymore.

Another thing about online learning is it’s inexpensive. The cost of a curriculum of a homeschooling setup can be expensive, not to mention the cost of educational materials you’ll buy. Meanwhile, the cost of online schools tends to be cheaper, and public ones are free, which makes it a better option for families dealing with financial problems. 

Has Professionally-Developed Curriculum 

Not every subject can’t be taught by parents, especially if they struggled in school themselves. School curriculums often include difficult and advanced concepts that aren’t easily learned. It will be a struggle to teach your child something that you don’t even understand yourself. And even if you understand the complex topics, not being equipped with years of teaching experience will still get in the way of the child’s learning. In light of this, it is still best to have teaching professionals educate students. And that’s what online schools offer. 

In addition, online schools ensure that no students fall behind, unlike the homeschool setup that lacks regulations. Because depending on where you live, there are state standards that should be met and assessments for students to pass. With online schools offering standardized exams and teaching essential school skills, you ensure that your child is catching up with the lessons for their age. And if they require special needs, online schools have trained specialists to help them. They will likely be assigned a special education teacher to ensure that they’re grasping various topics and given the opportunities to succeed.

Furthermore, online schools allow students to skip the General Education Development (GED) exam to enter an accredited university or the workforce. They can earn an official high school diploma without taking that extra step. And while they have their studies online, they also get the chance to have an in-person ceremony, wearing a gown and cap. Plus, there are school counselors to coach and help them as they enter colleges and universities.

Social Opportunities 

Finally, the best part about online schools is having social opportunities. Since their setup is like in the traditional school, except they’re using the internet as a medium, children learn to socialize and relate to kids their age. For instance, online schools have learning labs that simulate a live classroom setting from afar, encouraging students to contribute and build on other students’ responses. Besides that, they can also organize in-person field trips and events, which could benefit your child emotionally, socially, and academically.

The Bottom Line

Online learning makes a better alternative to homeschooling because of the above reasons. Furthermore, it gives students independence, which they need to prepare for college, career, and life in general. Just ensure that even if you choose this educational path of learning for your child, your involvement as a parent is still vital for their growth. So, always support them all the way!