As the pandemic continues to rage and school guidelines for the fall emerge, many parents are looking at alternatives. While some parents are considering homeschooling, others are looking at online schooling. After all, online schooling takes some of the burden of education off the parents’ shoulders. However, before you make the leap, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of online schooling.
The Pros of Online Schooling
Parents’ Time Is Freed Up
If you’re children are in middle school or above, they will require little attention from you during school hours. They should be able to do their work independently. This is likely to be a huge benefit to parents who are also working from home during the pandemic.
The Credits Can Transfer
If you’re looking at online schooling just for a year or two while there is not a treatment or a vaccine, then you’ll want to be sure that your child can seamlessly rejoin brick and mortar school later. If you choose an accredited online school, your child will easily be able to transfer classes to a physical school later.
Students Have a More Flexible Schedule
When students learn online, they have a much more flexible schedule. For instance, teens are notorious for wanting to stay up late and get up late. If they attend online school, they can do exactly that with no serious repercussions. Or, if a student wants to get a part-time job, he could work any time of day and do school work during unconventional times. He’s not limited to getting his education between the hours of 8 and 3 as he would be if he attended a traditional school.
The Cons of Online Schooling
When considering the pros and cons of online schooling, you must give careful consideration to the cons, as they may ruin your online experience.
Children’s Motivation Is Important
How motivated is your child to do work? Kids who are highly motivated will likely do well in online school. Children who need peer pressure to get work done may struggle with online schooling. Think carefully about your child’s level of motivation before enrolling her in an online school.
Some Platforms Can Be Difficult to Navigate
Not all online schools are the same. Some platforms are boring and difficult to navigate, which can be frustrating, especially for young learners. Our oldest child tried online school a few years ago and hated the experience, largely because of the platform.
After two years in a brick and mortar school, we decided again to put him in an online school due to the pandemic. We chose carefully. The online school he’s currently enrolled in has an engaging, intuitive platform, and he’s enjoying his experience much more.
Final Thoughts
As you weigh your child’s education options as you consider next school year, carefully weigh the pros and cons of online schooling. For the right child, online school can offer some incredible freedoms. Or, online school can be a miserable experience. The choice largely depends on your child and the school you choose.
Melissa is a writer and virtual assistant. She earned her Master’s from Southern Illinois University, and her Bachelor’s in English from the University of Michigan. When she’s not working, you can find her homeschooling her kids, reading a good book, or cooking. She resides in Arizona where she dislikes the summer heat but loves the natural beauty of the area.
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