Parents Making a Choice: Is Virtual School Beneficial to My Child?

What is Virtual Schooling?

Nowadays, parents have several options when it comes to giving their children quality education. For the most part, however, their choice depends largely on their availability, budget, and interests of their children.

After all, schooling would not be enriching or meaningful enough for students if the teaching and learning approach are not geared towards their unique nature. This is the reason why some kids end up getting bored or feeling forced about going to school.

Moreover, there are parents who have a difficult time fitting in their busy schedule the task of driving their kids to and from school. There are also issues with finances since schooling, at least with traditional schools, can be very expensive. With these concerns in mind, how can you possibly give your children the best education they deserve?

Here, you can learn more about virtual schooling, its principles, and why it is becoming more and more popular among parents today. Find out what its benefits are, who it is for, and some other concerns that come with this type of schooling.

Overview on Virtual Schooling

In a traditional setup, children wake up each morning and get ready before their parents drive them to school. Then, they spend several hours in a classroom, and there are structured activities expected to be taken up each day. This is how most people receive their education, in a conventional way.

However, newer solutions arise in this modern world, which pave the way for a more unconventional and convenient means of receiving education. Up until a few years ago, there are now virtual or cyber schools that enable students to learn without having to go to a standard classroom. In this aspect, all students need is fairly simple – a computer, internet connection, and an organized schedule to set time for their studies.

Features of a Virtual School

Virtual schooling, however, is nothing like homeschooling. In fact, the main difference between the two is that virtual schooling is performed through a company, and this functions as the school. The curriculum is provided by the company, as well as the teachers who collaborate with students.

On the other hand, home schooling leaves the curriculum setup to the tutor or parent. There is also no need for students to take standardized tests in some states when you home school your child. If you sign up in a virtual school, though, there is a necessity for students to take a standardized exam.

The following are among the key features that a virtual school offers:

1. Online Curriculum

As the name implies, the curriculum offered in a virtual school is accomplished entirely online. There are instances when part of the coursework is online while the others are completed through answering workbooks and submitting some paperwork. Nevertheless, the main aspect remains, which is the online delivery of lessons.

2. Parent Participation is Required

Even if students learn from teachers who deliver their lessons online, there is still a need for parents to participate in the teaching and learning process. As a parent, you can help your child set a schedule of his or her studies, collaborate with the teacher, and monitor your little one’s progress.

3. No Time Restriction

The best thing about a virtual school is students learn at their own pace. There is no pressure from the class, and students are not expected to wake up early, ride a school bus, or go home late from school due to extended activities.

A virtual school offers a more relaxed set up for children, which also relieves parents from the stress of shifting their schedule around. There are, however, some instances when teachers deliver live classes, which require students to be on their computer and attend these.

Is a Virtual School for Your Child?

Some parents are concerned about the social aspect of virtual schools since there is no face-to-face interaction going on between the teacher and student. This is not quite a big issue, though, since you can still expose your child to a social group by enrolling him or her in a special class, such as sports, dance, music or other activities suitable to your young one’s interests. Thus, the socialization part of education can take place even when your child attends a virtual school.

If you are in search of a cheaper, more convenient and less stressful means of educating your child, virtual schooling is a viable option. Just be sure to check your child’s progress, choose the best learning institution and support your young one in every step of the way.