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Millions of students worldwide choose K-12 online education. We’ll cover what online education involves and what it means for students, teachers, and parents.
K-12 online education provides schooling from kindergarten through 12th grade entirely online. Online learning offers flexibility and personalized education but also has its challenges. K-12 online education requires students, teachers, and parents to be actively involved for success in online learning.
What is K-12 Online Education for Students, Teachers, and Parents?
K-12 online education gives students a personalized learning experience. Students move through their learning process at their own pace. K-12 online education provides access to digital resources, interactive lessons, and virtual classrooms. This setup allows students to engage with the material in a way fitting their learning style. The flexibility helps students balance school with other activities. Such activities include sports, hobbies, or part-time jobs.
K-12 online education provides teachers with digital tools to improve their teaching. These tools include learning management systems, assessment tools, and platforms for real-time communication. Teachers track student progress, give personalized feedback, and adjust lessons to meet individual needs.
K-12 online education allows parents to be more involved in their child’s education. K-12 online schools give them access to coursework, grades, and progress reports. Parents monitor and support their child’s learning. Parents communicate with teachers and participate in the process more actively than in traditional schools.
Who is K-12 Online Education Suitable For?
K-12 online education is ideal for students with various needs and circumstances:
- Need flexible schedules.
- Unique learning needs or a personalized pace.
- Safety or health concerns.
- Remote areas without access to quality schools.
Such circumstances make traditional school unsuitable. An online school becomes a good alternative to a traditional school. Let’s look at the pros and cons of K-12 online schools.
Advantages of K-12 Online Education
K-12 online education offers several key benefits. Table below lists seven main advantages. Each advantage comes with a brief description. These benefits explain why millions of students around the world choose online education.
| ADVANTAGE | SHORT DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| Flexibility | Students learn at their own pace. This allows students to adjust their schedule around other commitments. It also accommodates their personal learning preferences |
| Accessibility | Students learn from anywhere with an internet connection. This frees up more time for other activities |
| Lots of resources | Online schools provide a wider range of courses. These courses include advanced placement, specialized electives, and vocational training |
| Personalized learning | Online education allows personalized learning. Students focus on areas they find challenging. Students move quickly through subjects where they excel |
| Safe learning environment | Online education gives a safer option for students. It benefits students who may face bullying, health issues, or other challenges in a traditional school setting |
| Developing digital skills | Students in online education develop strong digital literacy skills. These skills are essential in today’s job market |
| Global networking | Online education connects students with peers and teachers from around the world. This provides a diverse learning experience and broader perspectives for students |
Disadvantages of K-12 Online Education
K-12 online education has several key drawbacks. Table below lists seven main disadvantages. Each disadvantage comes with a brief description. These drawbacks are important for students to consider. They help students determine if online education is right for them.
| DISADVANTAGE | SHORT DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| Strong self-discipline | Success in online education requires from students high level of self-motivation |
| Limited social interaction | Students miss out on face-to-face interactions with peers. This can affect their social skill development |
| Technology dependence | Online education relies on technology. Issues like internet access, technical difficulties, or a lack of digital literacy arise and hinder learning |
| Less hands-on learning | Some subjects are difficult to replicate in an online environment. Lab sciences and physical education are examples. This challenges students to fully engage and understand the online material |
| Distractions | Learning from home introduces more distractions. Family, noise, or the temptation to engage in non-educational activities are common examples. These distractions make it harder to focus on studies |
| Limited access to resources | Some students experience difficulties accessing physical resources. This includes things like libraries, sports facilities, or specialized equipment. These challenges impact their learning experience |
| Issues with teacher-student communication | Building a strong rapport with teachers is difficult in a virtual environment. This affects the level of personalized support and guidance students receive |
How Does K-12 Online Schooling Work?
K-12 online schooling blends traditional education with digital flexibility. K-12 online schooling provides a complete and adaptable learning experience. We will look at each stage of the online school process.
Enrollment
K-12 online education begins with the enrollment process. Parents or guardians choose an online school fitting their child’s needs. They fill out the necessary forms online and submit required documents. Students gain access to the online learning platform once the enrollment is complete.
Legacy Online School’s enrollment process has only five easy steps:
- Discuss the application process and learn about Legacy Online School.
- Submit the online form with your child’s details.
- Legacy Online School reviews your child’s application and makes a decision.
- Accepted students go through an onboarding process.
- Your child starts their classes and engages with peers.
Coursework
Students start their coursework after enrollment. The platform provides students with digital textbooks, videos, and other resources. Lessons have a structure allowing students to progress at their own pace. Students complete assignments, participate in discussions, and take quizzes online. The online platform tracks their progress and provides feedback on their performance.
Teacher Interaction
Teachers play a crucial role in K-12 online school. Teachers conduct live virtual classes, provide instruction, and offer support through email or chat. Teachers grade assignments, give feedback, and hold one-on-one sessions with students who need extra help. Teachers communicate regularly with students and parents. These communications allow teachers to keep everyone informed and engaged.
Legacy Online School has certified, skilled teachers from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Curriculum
The curriculum covers core subjects like Math, Science, English, and Social Studies. The curriculum includes electives and advanced courses, all delivered through interactive platforms. Students learn at their own pace with regular assessments to monitor progress.
Legacy Online School offers an accredited curriculum for Elementary, Middle, and High School. This curriculum includes live teaching in small groups for personalized attention.
Assessments and Exams
Teachers assess students through quizzes, assignments, and exams. These assessments take place online and measure students’ understanding of the material. Some programs require proctored exams. These exams happen online or at a designated location under supervision. Results record and evaluate the student’s progress.
Graduation
Students graduate from the K-12 online school upon successful completion of all required courses. Students receive a diploma like from a traditional school. This diploma gets recognition from colleges and employers. It prepares students for the next steps in their education or career.
Legacy Online School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Legacy Online School offers an accredited US diploma online and real-world skills you can use.
Parental Involvement in K-12 Online Education
Parents, Take Note
Researchers at North Carolina State University reviewed 284 studies to identify best practices in K-12 online education during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study highlighted three essential elements: teacher training, access to technology, and consideration of student developmental levels. They also emphasized the importance of course design, community-building, accessibility, individualized instruction, active learning, and real-time assessment.
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Parents play a key role in tracking their child’s progress. Parents check assignments, grades, and teacher feedback regularly. This involvement ensures students stay on track and meet their educational goals.
Parents keep open communication with teachers. They attend virtual parent-teacher meetings. Parents ask questions and discuss their child’s performance. This dialogue keeps parents informed and helps address any concerns during the school year.
Parents create a supportive learning environment at home. They set up a dedicated study space. Parents establish a daily routine and provide the necessary tools for students. This setup helps students focus on their online courses and complete their work effectively.
Parents encourage their children to join online class discussions and activities. They motivate students to engage with peers and teachers. This builds a sense of community and improves the learning experience of students.
Parents ensure their children meet deadlines and complete assignments. Parents set expectations for academic performance. They hold students accountable, fostering discipline and commitment to their education.
Parents offer moral support when their children need it. This support is especially important for students new to online education.
Conclusion
Parents and students choose K-12 online education more often than traditional schooling. We explored which students do well in online learning. We examined what students, teachers, and parents expect when choosing online education. We explained how online learning works at every stage. This information helps parents and students understand online education before making their choice.
