Homeschool World Forum

[wrightno]

HELLO HOMESCHOOLING PARENTS.DO YOU ALL THINK ONLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE BETTER THAN REGULAR HOMESCHOOLING?WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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natasha w.

[su]

I would rather not have to do what the public school dictates! Our style of schooling is not what they do in the public school system anyway. I prefer a literature-rich approach that includes a Christian worldview. I also want the freedom to follow rabbit trails in our schooling.

[Calla_Dragon]

I wouldn't ever do an online public school. I like the freedom to choose our own subjects rather than being tied to what the public school chooses. I also don't want to subject myself to public school control. It's one of the big reasons why I homeschool in the first place. I chose to opt out of public school altogether, that includes online public school.

It know it works for some people, but our family won't be using it.
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To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent.

[momo3boys]

I try to keep "screen time" to a minimum, that inclludes the computer, I would rather my children live life than just learn from a computer. That and I don't like the public school curriculum.
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Phi 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

[sgmco]

I am new to Home Schooling idea--still learning and thinking about putting
my DS in Online High School. I have found several in my state
that are free and have a good choice of curriculum.
Since he has been in PS all his school years we will have to go
the online public school method for the structure aspect.
I like that the online HS have most all the work done for
you when it comes to what is required for credits and getting
a HS diploma. I want my DS to succeed in his HS years and
for us the Online programs seem to have what it takes to do that.
I have been searching of Online Home schooling Forums but have not
found any that are just for that.

[roma]

Home School is not for everyone, and each parent knows their own situation better than anyone else. However Home Schooling is my preference, and this article explains:

Thinking About Homeschooling? Teachers Are
http://ezinearticles.com/?Thinking-About-Homeschooling?-Teachers-Are&id=2499296
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RC

[mschickie]

Most folks I know who have tried the online programs have not really liked it. They were way too structured and basically no different than having a child in the actual school. Instead of the on line programs the people who have been a little unsure about differnt subjects have tended to move towards using software such as teaching textbooks, or switched on school house. Those provide the flexibilty to determine when and what is taught but has the structure and information for those who are not comfortable doing it themselves.

[seekingmyLord]

I think online public schools are good for people who pulled their children out of public school and do not yet have the confidence to homeschool. Most--not all, just most--of the people who have used such programs in my area, only use them for a few months to a year. Often they have the confidence to use a curriculum of their choosing and homeschool more independently. Plus, they are just so structured! They do not take into account that I will be having my daughter add up the cost of the groceries while we are shopping and it leaves little time for that kind of real life application of the knowledge acquired.

I am admittedly biased. I think homeschooling is far superior for so many reasons. One, my daughter spans three to four grades in various subjects and levels of interest. I can encourage her potential without being boxed into a grade level, which would be one of many reasons I am not interested in any curriculum based on grade levels. I can talk to her in another language we both are learning while I am driving the car. Homeschooling is not school at home for most of us, it is a lifestyle, intertwined in our daily routines. It is not seat work for a few hours and then they are done for the day. Homeschooling happens in the kitchen, out shopping, in the car, on a trip, in pajamas!

[roma]

Very well said. For anyone who is interested in knowing more, or growing confidence about home schooling, I recommend attending your State Conference.
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RC

[yoginiha]

We've been in an online school since 2010 to the present. But yesterday we mailed the affadavit to the local district and are looking forward to officially home schooling.

The online school was wonderful. The curriculum is mostly outstanding, particularly the history. It was through K12.com, which is a private company. And it was administered through an online charter school. So it was tax funded. Since online charter schools are derided by teachers' unions and other "authorities," our school did lots of testing and practice testing to prepare for standardized tests to show that it works. They claim customization and flexibility, and it is compared to pub. school. We, however, need more customization.

This past month, I decided I can't take online school anymore. I can't handle the schedule and requirements. But I'm glad we did it, and it is much better than the local public school we used to go to.

I have 2 main problems with online school. 1st, the requirements infringe on our family's lives. It almost dictates how I interact with my children during the day. I nag them to get their lessons done. Get it done, so we can be free to do other things. One of the reasons we left public school was because my oldest would be bored and distracted all day at school and then come home and do homework. This homework was repetitive. She brought home the same math worksheet every week. It was a drill sheet. It would take her 3 hours sometimes to do her homework, not because it's hard, but because she just didn't want to. I thought, I might as well be homeschooling her. I resented that the teacher got to spend the best part of the day with her and sent her home with homework, dictating how I spend my time with her in the evening--nagging her to get it done, instead of doing fun things. We went with the online school, because I wasn't confident enough at the time to home school.

The 2nd problem I have with online school is that my kindergartener can read on a 2nd grade level, yet she's got to do kindergarten phonics, etc. So we've been testing out of each unit. She's been spending her time in online kindergarten testing out of things, instead of learning things. At least she can test out of things, and then they'll send her the 1st grade Language Arts curriculum, but that has phonics too and lots of review. My 5th grader has become both bored and overwhelmed with the many requirements.

We want to enjoy learning. Not focus on getting it done. Since we've decided to home school and have been trying it out, we feel peaceful freedom. I can enjoy being with my kids now, being their mother, instead of a "learning coach."

My kids love learning. The are excited about homeschool learning. Doing online school has given me some training and confidence to take the step to home schooling. So I will defend online school against pro-conventional public school hacks. But if home schooling families want to criticize online charter schools, that's fine with me.

We want a more holistic approach. I'm impressed by the Charlotte Mason approach and add child interest driven method to that. My kids are so interested in things. All of a sudden, they are taking an active interest in learning. My 5th grader classified leaves on the trees in the park yesterday. My 3rd grader woke up this morning practicing Chinese calligraphy from a book she got at the library.

I say, let them be creative and curious while they're young, maybe they'll stay that way. I'd hate to have the love of learning and curiosity beat out of them.

I know home schooling won't be a bowl of cherries, but it's right for us, for this time.
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If it's to be, it's up to me