Is Online School Right for Your Child? A Family Reflection Guide

Online learning is an awesome opportunity for many students, as traditional, in-person learning may not always be the best option. Many students struggle with anxiety in the traditional school setting, while others find the classroom disruptive and distracting. Still others may deal with unique situations that prevent them from attending school consistently, which can cause gaps in learning for the student.
It is important to recognize, however, that online learning may not be the best option for some students. A student’s social needs, instructional demands, or family relationships may prevent them from being successful while learning at home.

Before making the leap, and switching to an online program, there are some important questions to ask both yourself, and your student.

Child’s Learning Style & Needs

• Does my child learn best independently, or do they need frequent in-person guidance? It is important to remember that, if your child is doing school at home, the teacher is not there to help your student in real time. Students must be able to work through lessons and complete assignments on their own, without much live instruction. In most programs, teachers are available to help your student, but students do the majority of the work independently, and must be comfortable reaching out for support.
• How comfortable is my child with using technology for learning? This is a concern that so many families overlook. If your student doesn’t have a knack for technology then requisite platforms may cause more of a barrier to learning. In other words, your student may spend more time wrestling with the programs themselves, instead of learning content.
• Does my child stay focused in front of a screen, or do they need hands-on interaction? In online learning, much of what students do will involve staring at a computer screen for at least a few hours each day. If your student doesn’t have the interest, or attention span, you may be adding more barriers to learning.
• Does my child need more flexibility in pacing (going faster or slower than traditional classrooms)? Depending on the program, this may make online learning a better fit. If your child is advanced, or if your child works a bit more slowly, asynchronous (student-paced) programs can be more personalized, to accommodate your child’s unique needs.

Social & Emotional Considerations

• Does my child enjoy socializing in-person daily, or are they content with fewer, more intentional interactions? If your student thrives in social environments, it is important to recognize that online learning programs don’t offer the same level of social interaction. Your child may feel isolated or lonely and crave the classroom setting. There are ways to offset this, but joining clubs and groups both in the school, and in your local community.
• How will online school impact my child’s friendships and extracurricular activities? Talk to your child about the shift to online learning, and ask how they feel about doing school away from their friends. This is another hurdle that is manageable, as students can find time to socialize with their friends, but it is important to speak with your child about expectations and needs.
  

Family Lifestyle & Support

• Do I (or another adult) have the time and ability to support my child as a learning coach if needed? One of the most important indicators of student success in the online environment is parental involvement. It is important that parents be available to monitor students, and to assist students if they run into issues or have questions. And, be honest with yourself—does your child have the discipline to do school independently. If not, it may not be the best option.
• Does our household have the structure to help my child stick to a daily routine? Structure is another key factor to student success. Students have to treat online school like a job, with a regular schedule to which they commit. Parents, too, must respect that expectation, and support their students in staying focused and productive.
• Are we comfortable communicating with teachers and staff mostly through email, video calls, or online platforms? Online school is different from a traditional school. Regardless of the program or platform, parents and students are expected to communicate with teachers and staff regularly. If you and your student are not comfortable communicating with teachers and staff through email, phone or online conference platforms, online learning may not be a great fit.

There are so many factors to consider when weighing online learning options. As you consider these questions, be honest with yourself. Online learning is amazing, but it is not a good fit for all students.

Do you have experience in online learning? What are some other considerations? Or, do you have questions about online learning for your own child? Comment below. I would love to hear from you!