| With online virtual academies becoming more | | | | for private tutoring, which defeats the purpose of |
| common, you may have asked yourself, "Is it | | | | paying for the virtual education in the first place. |
| possible for children to receive a proper education | | | | 3. Student-student interaction or socialization. |
| online?" My opinion may differ from others, but I | | | | We've all heard so much about socialization. What |
| have researched several online schools, through | | | | is all of the hype really about, and is it relevant to |
| their websites, and formed some generalizations | | | | online education? The answer is yes, yes, and yes. |
| which I think should be understood before enrolling | | | | People need other people, and those taking online |
| any student. This article is not meant to be a | | | | courses can feel very isolated. Most virtual schools |
| review of any particular school, but rather a | | | | offer students the opportunity to interact with |
| summary of common characteristics I have | | | | each other in an online chat. Some even offer a |
| found among several online schools. The schools | | | | "virtual world" which resembles a real school |
| you consider may differ in their teaching | | | | campus in a video game type of environment. |
| approaches and practices. Consumers should | | | | Students who enjoy playing video games may |
| always fully research any school, whether | | | | benefit from the latter option. Parents should be |
| brick-and-mortar, or virtual, before enrolling their | | | | certain that they have time to support their |
| children. Of course deciding whether an online | | | | children's educational needs with outside activities |
| education is right for your child is a decision you | | | | like sports, clubs, etc. There are usually home |
| and your child should make together. However, I | | | | school groups in any area and those attending a |
| recommend some alternatives to consider before | | | | virtual school would certainly find themselves in |
| enrolling your child in an online school. The | | | | like company at these meetings. Consider finding a |
| generalizations and alternatives I found are listed | | | | local chapter and getting involved. Students who |
| below. | | | | meet regularly with other students in the area will |
| School can be broken down into its basic | | | | feel like part of a group in much the same way |
| components, which, in the author's opinion, includes | | | | as those attending a regular school. Students who |
| four things; | | | | sit home alone all day will most certainly suffer |
| 1. Teacher-student interaction | | | | from the isolation. |
| 2. Curriculum | | | | 4. The final component necessary to any basic |
| 3. Student-student interaction and | | | | educational program is teacher feedback or |
| 4. Feedback (Grading). | | | | grading. This component is critical so that the |
| Let's examine each of these components and | | | | student knows how well he or she is doing in the |
| how each are implemented within a typical online | | | | program, and which areas of study may need |
| program | | | | work. Virtual programs may offer immediate |
| 1. Teacher-student interaction (instruction). Most | | | | feedback for curriculum components which may |
| online schools do not offer real-time teacher-led | | | | be graded automatically. There should certainly be |
| instruction. Instead, they provide curriculum | | | | some live input, however. Parents should ask |
| materials which should be reviewed and studied | | | | whether lessons receiving a poor grade may be |
| independently by the student. The student | | | | repeated. Sometimes computerized grading |
| subsequently submits the materials for grading, | | | | systems can be less that foolproof and a live |
| and receives a response from the teacher. Most | | | | teacher should be available and willing to review |
| programs offer some form of tutoring by the | | | | even the computerized answers. Be certain to |
| teacher via e-mail or chat. Most programs are | | | | ask about this critical area of the program. |
| asynchronous (student and teacher not together | | | | Parents have quite a few options when |
| at the same time.) This offers the advantage of | | | | considering an online program, and it is possible to |
| a more flexible schedule where a student can | | | | find one that fits you and your student exactly. |
| participate in other activities or programs and | | | | Many students and parents are happy with this |
| complete lessons and assignments at differing | | | | educational option. These people find that an online |
| schedules. The disadvantage, however, is that the | | | | program helps to keep them on track and |
| program may seem impersonal, resembling | | | | provides the support they need for more difficult |
| strongly old-fashioned correspondence courses. | | | | or time-consuming subjects. |
| Many students become discouraged from this | | | | Parents who are considering this option may sell |
| type of instruction, where others may enjoy the | | | | themselves short, however, if they do not |
| flexibility. The key to success in this type of | | | | consider homeschooling their children instead of |
| program, especially for younger students, is | | | | purchasing an online education. Many virtual schools |
| strong parental support. Parents should expect to | | | | utilize the exact same curriculum options that are |
| keep kids on track by overseeing lessons, and | | | | available to home schoolers. Several of these |
| even assisting if need be. Some programs offer a | | | | curricula are considered to be "self-teaching," |
| real-time chat as a substitute for scheduled live | | | | meaning that each lesson is carefully planned and |
| lessons. In the real-time chat, students and | | | | presented in a package that builds on information |
| teacher meet synchronously (at the same time) | | | | previously learned, but does not require the |
| in a chat room and the students are allowed to | | | | student to review or refer to that material to |
| ask questions and receive a response. This | | | | complete the lesson. Several "curriculum-in-a-box" |
| provides an advantage of live interaction with | | | | options are available to home schooled students |
| other people, but the chat should have a | | | | which offer a complete 5-subject set for each |
| "whiteboard" available so that the teacher can | | | | level. Electives are also available. Those considering |
| clearly illustrate concepts, especially for math and | | | | virtual education may consider using one of these |
| science courses. | | | | curricula coupled with outside tutoring services |
| 2. The next part of any school is its chosen | | | | when necessary. There are several of these |
| curriculum. Of course, many parents have religious | | | | curriculum options available to homeschooling |
| preferences and there is an abundance of | | | | families, and a comparison is beyond the scope of |
| curricula out there to support most choices, | | | | this article. Since the parent will find him/herself |
| especially if the family is Christian. For many | | | | monitoring and guiding daily student lessons and |
| parents, this is the primary factor driving them to | | | | activities with either choice, some students may |
| choose a private education for their children. | | | | better succeed in a homeschooling program which |
| Parents should be certain that the curriculum can | | | | offers direct tutoring support rather than |
| be tailored to each students needs, and that it | | | | impersonal online interaction. Money saved from |
| meets standards for their state. It is a good idea | | | | not purchasing the virtual school program can be |
| to be certain that the student will receive the | | | | used for funding the tutoring services. If the |
| required state-mandated coursework before | | | | parents feel comfortable answering most |
| choosing a school, because, especially for the high | | | | questions themselves, rather than hiring a tutor, |
| school courses, they may discover too late that | | | | further financial benefit can be realized from the |
| the student has not met state requirements for | | | | homeschooling option. |
| graduation. The good news is that most curricula | | | | Of course, parents should always refer to local |
| are tailored to meet state standards, and the | | | | and/or state homeschooling regulations. If |
| parent has little need for concern here. Special | | | | homeschooling is chosen, parents are required to |
| needs students are often exempt from these | | | | register their student with a regulating authority. |
| requirements and can benefit from a | | | | This is also required in some states if a virtual |
| custom-tailored program that can be chosen in a | | | | school option is chosen. In some states students |
| virtual school. Parents should be cautious, | | | | are allowed to register with the virtual school only. |
| however, when enrolling children in higher-level | | | | Congratulations on your choice of seeking an |
| coursework. Be certain that tutoring is available as | | | | alternative educational setting for your child! |
| part of the program, with a "whiteboard" in the | | | | Whichever program you choose, make sure it |
| classroom chat. If this option is not available, I | | | | offers the benefits and support you need as a |
| would recommend that consumers shy away | | | | family to achieve success. I wish you success in |
| from these types of programs, as the parent | | | | whatever choice you make together. |
| may find himself or herself spending extra money | | | | |