Contents
School closings, virtual learning, and mask mandates caused many families to choose homeschooling in record numbers at the start of the 2020-2021 school year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The popularity of online homeschooling continues to grow.
Homeschooling is a type of education where parents choose not to have their child attend a traditional school. Students learn at home. Online homeschooling students don’t just study at home, they use online tools to learn new materials. We will cover the key points related to online homeschooling to help parents who are considering or just starting to homeschool their children.
How Does Online Homeschooling Work?
Online homeschooling requires preparation from parents and students. Parents help students set up a proper learning space. The proper space features calming tones, avoids unnecessary distractions like bright posters, and helps students focus on their studies. Parents provide the necessary digital devices and subscriptions for students. They support students throughout the entire online learning process. They maintain close communication with the online school’s representatives to address any students’ issues. These issues include internet problems, platform access issues, and other challenges.
The initial preparation is the most labor-intensive part of online homeschooling. The rest of the process is simpler and similar to traditional schooling. The key difference with online homeschooling is lessons and assignments take place on online platforms. Students earn a diploma or certificate upon completion by choosing the right online school. Online education is becoming an increasingly attractive choice for families each year.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Online Homeschooling?
The reason parents choose online homeschooling lies in its advantages. The table below outlines seven key pros and cons of digital homeschooling. Parents consider the disadvantages and advantages of this type of education to mitigate the drawbacks and get the most out of it.
| ADVANTAGES | DISADVANTAGES |
|---|---|
| Freedom in creating a schedule | Strong self-discipline |
| Learning from anywhere | Dependence on the internet |
| No danger to safety | Lack of extracurricular activities |
| Digital skills | Difficulty balancing work and school |
| Focus on student interests | High parental involvement |
| Global learning opportunities | The risk of being misunderstood due to the lack of in-person interactions |
| Customization for special needs students | Potential technical issues |
What Are the Requirements for Online Homeschooling?
Online homeschooling does not impose many requirements on students, but these requirements depend on the state of residence. We covered the homeschooling requirements in the U.S. in the article “Online Learning Requirements for Homeschool Students“.
How Do I Get Started Online Homeschooling?
“My children are thriving. They are learning. The progress they have made in the last year, despite their unique challenges, floors me”
Shawna Wingert, Different By Design Learning
Starting online homeschooling is simple. We will cover what parents do to help their child begin learning at home through the internet.
Planning and Choosing Online School for Homeschooling
Parents prepare a room for students to ensure they can study without distractions. Parents select an online school meeting the child’s interests and needs. We covered these details in the article “How to Choose the Best K-12 Online School for Your Child?”.
Enrolling in Online School
The enrollment process varies from one online school to another. We covered this process in the article “How to Enroll in K-12 Online School?”. Parents keep in mind if they are transferring their children from a traditional school to online homeschooling, they will need to coordinate this decision with the traditional school. The traditional school will provide the child’s academic records to the parents, who will pass them on to the online school.
Preparing for Exams
Homeschooling requires students to take exams and tests to assess their understanding of the material. Online schools have approved testing methods which meet the highest educational standards. Students taking exams check their equipment and internet connection for proper functioning before the exam. Technical issues lead to exam failure. Students contact the online school’s administration if they fail an exam due to a technical problem. The school’s specialists assist, reset the results, and give students the opportunity to retake the test or exam.
Online Homeschool Diploma
Students earn an online homeschool diploma by completing the required coursework through an online school. This diploma holds the same value as one from a traditional school.
Parents and students choose an accredited online school whose curriculum meets state educational standards. We discussed educational standards and how to understand them in the article “K-12 Online Curriculum Standards”. Choosing an accredited online school is crucial to ensure the graduate’s diploma is widely recognized. We provided tips on how to select the right school in the article “The Ultimate Guide to Accredited Online Schools”.
Homeschooling with Legacy Online School
Legacy Online School is an excellent choice for homeschooling your children online. Our school has received a prestigious award for the best curriculum. You can learn more about this award and what helped our school earn it here.
Legacy Online School is fully accredited in providing a STEM-focused curriculum. This curriculum puts students for success in their future careers. Students develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and experiential learning.
Our school meets the requirements of various states and does not impose many demands on students. Legacy Online School has certified, skilled teachers from diverse cultural backgrounds. Many of these teachers have over 5 years of teaching experience, and some even more than 20 years. We are proud of their dedication to quality education and strong student support.
Enroll in our school and provide your child with a quality education without the need to meet complicated requirements!
Conclusion
Online homeschooling helps parents save time, money, and energy. An increasing number of parents are choosing online homeschooling for their children. We’ve put together this guide so every parent can understand the key aspects of online homeschooling.
