Pros & Cons Of Home Schooling Programs Online
First things first: This is not just another breakdown of the drawbacks and benefits of home schooling. What we have here, instead, is a list of the pros and cons of home schooling programs online. And yes, there is a difference.
While the former investigates what makes home schooling in general a good choice with regard to quality education, the latter questions whether a home schooling program online should be your method of choice when it comes to effectively home schooling your child. There's a world of difference. (A small world maybe, but a world nonetheless.)
That said, let's begin with the cons:
Reduced Interaction. Confused already? While one of the prime and well-known benefits of home schooling is developing close family ties, opting for a home schooling program online develops your kid's bond with the PC and the monitor instead.
Online programs already have the set curricula, lesson plans, and miscellaneous activities to keep your kid's hands full, and your hands empty. Sure, there's interaction (after all, your kid is at home), but not as much as there would have been had you decided to school him yourself, without the aid of an online program.
Virtual Loving. Not completely unrelated to Con # 1, the reduced interaction between your kid and the rest of humanity might be a cause for concern. If you don't encourage him to go outside every once in a while, he may one day end up marrying his virtual girlfriend.
Limits. There's just so much you can accomplish with computers. Whatever the limits of technology, so too are the limits of your kid's education.
Now pick your chin up off the floor. There are still the pros to consider:
Convenience. Really, how many of your alternatives can net you first-rate education with just a few clicks of the mouse? Perhaps the defining feature of the home schooling program online is it's ability to change your life in a few, simple steps.
Flexibility. As I already mentioned, these online programs usually come with various curricula for a number of grade levels. Even better, these curricula are easy to modify, so that you can suit them to your child's specific needs, level, and pace.
Credibility. A big plus with home schooling programs online is that a lot of them are already recognized by several universities and organizations. This means that your kid's academic qualifications won't be as much in doubt as when he answers “mom” to a question regarding his educational background.
Effectiveness. Online programs usually boast a long list of graduates who went on to be accepted in reputable universities, and testimonials from current students who rave about how much fun they're having and how much they're learning. These serve to bring across a simple yet powerful message: our program will work for your child as well.
As with every pros and cons list, the reader is always left with a question to ponder. This is yours: Is a home schooling program online the answer to your prayers, or is it not worth your time?