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Monday, June 27, 2016

Is Online School Right for Your Child?

This week I'll be posting some of my most popular posts while I'm preparing for and going on a week's vacation. I hope you enjoy them--again! This one was originally posted April 2, 2012.

We're switching our daughter's school next year. Again. This will be the fourth school change since she started kindergarten. She'll be a junior in high school next year, so maybe that's not too bad. But it always seems like a big upheaval when we do.
We don't change schools just for fun. And our daughter has always been in on the decision. Next year will be a big change for us. For the first time, she'll be "going" to a virtual school from home. Here are our main reasons for choosing this option. Maybe you'll relate!
1. A more flexible schedule. We've often been unable to do things we want as a family, or even that she wants to do on her own because her school schedule didn't allow it. At an online school, she can do her school work when it's convenient for her. It can be done in half the time of regular schools, which frees her up to pursue her many other interests.
2. More individualized program. At an online school, she'll work at her own pace in each class. If she has questions, she can still contact her teacher via email, phone or in person, and get the help she needs.
3. Mobile education. If we want to take a trip, she can take her computer with her and do her school work while we're traveling. Or she can work ahead in her classes and not have to do any school work while we're away. Her choice.
4. A more balanced life. Right now school takes up most of her life. Even after school's out, she still has homework to do. If we have activities in the evening it's sometimes hard to fit it all in. Online school will relieve some of the pressure and stress of school life. Sure, it's still a rigorous educational process where she'll have to work hard and learn, but it will be done around our schedule, not the other way around. Who knows? She may even have time for a part-time job!
5. Social life. Unlike myself, my daughter is very social. She loves being with friends of all ages. Many people think being in an online school means you're isolated and can't be with your schoolmates. However, the school we chose has social events where online kids can get to know each other. They have field trips (more than regular schools!) where they get to do fun things together while learning. And in today's world of email, social networking and smart phones, my daughter will always be in contact with her old school friends as well as her new ones. They'll still get together and do things just like they always have. So really, online school will enlarge her social world, not shrink it.
6. A solid education. The school we chose is accredited and uses only certified teachers. It follows our state's guidelines so we know our daughter will get a good education that colleges will accept. She'll have to pass the state testing just like in a regular school. Best of all, it's free! Because it's a public school, it gets funding from the state. It provides everything we'll need for school, including a desktop computer, a stipend to cover Internet expense, books, science lab equipment, and anything else a course would require.

If you're considering a change in schools next year, I'd encourage you to look at online education. We're excited about it and can't wait to start next year!

What schooling method do you use? What are the pros and cons?

Linda


7 comments:

  1. I love the idea of online school, Linda, especially its flexibility. I left my studies at the university, many years ago, not too many courses short of earning a doctorate. I've thought about picking up those classes via online school. Best wishes to your daughter!

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    1. Thanks, Jean. I took some online college courses several years ago. I loved it! I actually got thru all my math courses and got As and Bs for the first time ever. It was the best learning I've ever done and I actually enjoyed it! I encourage you to do it if you're still interested. Thanks for your comment!

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  2. You won't be sorry. My husband is a pastor, and we've found the DVD curriculum we use to be a Godsend. And, since it is Christian-based, it has been a literal Godsend. My daughter has received a great education with morals and values we support. My daughter, too, has never had the social problems many try to accuse when a child stays home and doesn't attend public school. It does provide a welcomed flexibility with our schedule. With only one year remaining until she finishes high school, I know I'll miss it.

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    1. Paula, what is the DVD curriculum that's Christian-based?

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  3. Music to my ears, Paula! Thanks for your input! We're starting to have some issues with her current school and are just hanging on by our fingernails to finish this year up. Can't wait to get switched to the online program.

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  4. Thanks for sharing that information! My son is only 3, but we truly don't want to put him through the public school system in our community, and we can't afford private schooling, either. So this was helpful and useful information.

    If you're looking to be a guest blogger somewhere, I'm looking for someone to blog on the topic of teaching God's Word to our children. It would probably be next week already. Please check out my link here: http://www.dailyremindersfromgod.com/p/become-guest-blogger.html, and let me know what you think. Contact me via the contact form on my site. Thanks!!

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    1. Thank you for your comment, Tristine. I'm glad you found the info helpful. I'd love to guest blog for you but I'm not available next week. We just moved and I'm buried in boxes! :) Some time in May would work better for me if you have an opening. I sent you a note on your contact form. Thanks for asking me!

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