As the traditional brick-and-mortar school system struggles to keep up with the ever-rising costs of education, parents are increasingly seeking alternatives. One of the most popular solutions is online homeschooling.
In the UK alone, there are reportedly over one million children who have participated in home education at some stage in their development. This article looks to take a more in-depth look into online homeschooling, the methods used, and more. Online homeschooling, like traditional homeschooling programmes, allows parents to take control over the education of their children, providing them with a more focused, tailored education that can be designed to foster the children’s individual interests and aptitudes.
Much like traditional education, online homeschooling generally follows the national curriculum, although there are a variety of providers who specialise in different aspects of the curriculum, such as maths, English and the sciences. The UK’s homeschooling laws are generally understood to be among the most flexible in the world, however, they are subject to change according to the views of local authorities.
Nevertheless, so long as the child is receiving a suitable education, it is generally accepted that parents are entitled to choose what kind of education they provide their child, as per the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. In this regard, homeschooling is no exception.
What Are the Benefits of Online Homeschooling?
Online homeschooling is an increasingly popular choice for parents due to its many benefits and advantages. One of these is that it allows parents and children to work at their own pace, allowing students to learn at a pace that is most suitable for them, rather than the pace of a classroom setting. Additionally, pupils won’t be inhibited by peer pressure, instead learning in an environment that is much more tailored and engaging.
Moreover, online homeschooling enables parents to provide their children with an education that is tailored to their particular religious, moral or spiritual beliefs. Furthermore, the flexibility and convenience of online homeschooling allows parents to fit educational activities into their busy lives, while the use of modern technologies, such as video conferencing, allows parents and children to remain connected regardless of where they are.
Similarly, the use of interactive resources, such as iPads and tablets, can make the learning process much more interactive and engaging. Finally, online homeschooling can provide a much wider variety of options in terms of tuition and guidance such as one-to-one tutorials, as well as small group or individual work, and even virtual classroom instruction.
What Are the Drawbacks of Online Homeschooling?
Although online homeschooling can provide numerous advantages for some families, there are also certain drawbacks associated with its use that should be taken into consideration. Online homeschooling can involve a significant degree of organisation on the part of parents and can take up more time than traditional schooling. It can also be difficult to ensure that the content provided is up-to-date and meets the requirements of the national curriculum, especially if the parent is not well-versed in the area of knowledge in question.
Moreover, for some children, the lack of social contact with other children of a similar age can be difficult to deal with and can result in feelings of isolation. Additionally, a number of parents may not be confident enough or well-equipped to take on the role of educator and may feel the need to hire a tutor or other form of instructional help.
This can be an expensive option and may not be feasible in cases of limited financial means. Finally, although online homeschooling can provide a much more tailored education, parents must be sure to motivate their child and ensure they remain engaged with the learning process – something that can be harder to do when the parent is being asked to act both as teacher and parent simultaneously.
What Rules and Regulations Apply in the UK?
There are a number of official rules and regulations that parents must abide by when engaging in online homeschooling in the UK. For starters, a competent person (usually a parent) must be appointed to ensure that the homeschooling is suitable for the child and meets the national standards for education.
Furthermore, the curriculum for a homeschooled child must be designed to deliver a balanced and comprehensive education that is suitable for the age and aptitudes of the student in question. Similarly, progress must be monitored and recorded in order to ensure that the child is engaged with the learning process and that they are hitting their milestones. Parents must also notify their local authority at the start of their homeschooling, as well as if they wish to change mode of schooling.
It is also important to note that if the local authority has serious concerns regarding the quality of homeschooling taking place, it may intervene and, in extreme cases, can even make the decision to reintegrate the child into school.
How Can Parents Find Suitable Online Homeschooling Providers?
Despite the UK’s receptiveness towards online homeschooling, it can be challenging for parents to find a suitable provider. Before making any final decision, it is important to research and compare different providers in order to ensure that they are suitable for the child’s individual needs.
Parent reviews and testimonials can also be a useful tool in determining the quality of a course or provider, as can getting word-of-mouth recommendations from other homeschoolers. Furthermore, parents should be aware of the different providers available, as well as the different techniques and approaches they use. For instance, traditional homeschool providers generally cover books and learning material, while new and upcoming providers may use audio, video and interactive material as a means of communication.
Additionally, parents should ensure that the online platform used is secure and that the instructors can only access pre-approved information such as student records, notes and assignments.
What Challenges Could an Online Homeschooling Program Present?
One of the biggest challenges that parents may face when participating in online homeschooling is keeping their children engaged with the learning process. This can prove especially difficult with younger children who may struggle with concentration, or who may be easily distracted by activities such as social media or video games.
In such cases, a greater level of parental involvement is needed to ensure that the child remains on track with their studies. Moreover, older children may struggle with the independence required when learning online, and may benefit from having an instructor or mentor nearby to provide support and advice. Additionally, as noted previously, successful online homeschooling requires parents to take on numerous roles and act as both teacher and parent.
This can take its toll on the parent themselves and can lead to various challenges, such as burnout, if not managed carefully.
Conclusion
Ultimately, online homeschooling can represent a flexible and convenient solution for families who wish to keep control over the education of their children. However, it is important for parents to be aware of the associated laws and regulations, as well as the challenges that may be presented.
Finding a suitable online homeschooling provider and ensuring that the curriculum suits the age and aptitudes of the children is also essential. Without proper due diligence and planning, online homeschooling can quickly become an unenjoyable and stressful experience for all concerned.