In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, many school districts switched to distance learning. Unfortunately, this transition was tough between limited budgets and technological resources to inefficient learning platforms and poorly structured coursework. Each family has had to weigh the pros and cons of sending kids back to school in person, continuing with online education from their current school, or opting for homeschooling.
Why Homeschooling Is Less Stressful For Some
While some parents have little choice but to send their kids back to school because of their jobs and other factors, others have chosen to keep their kids at home. Sending kids to schools comes with a whole host of stresses involving our children’s health and safety, if they can handle wearing a mask all day, and potential emotional issues that result from all the rules at school now. Some children will really struggle with not being able to play closely with their friends. And what happens when a friend or teacher tests positive for COVID? There are a lot of stresses that some parents want to avoid for now.
On top of all that, some parents have lost faith in their local educational system and are frustrated with the decisions involving the curriculum and school day when done virtually. A fair amount of parents across the country decided to take matters into their own hands and are now homeschooling their children. They feel that their children are in a safer environment at home and that they have more control to develop a curriculum and space for improved learning.
There are many benefits to homeschooling. Parents have control over the curriculum, schedule, grade level, pace, and approach, which allows them to develop a system of learning that works best for their child. Students learn in a safe and loving environment, resulting in improved physical, mental, and social health.
Tech Tips For Homeschooling
If this is a route you’re considering for your kids, keep in mind that adjusting from public or private schooling to home education will take time. Fortunately, there are technological resources parents, and students can rely on to make things more manageable.
Cloud-Based Productivity and Collaboration Apps
Keeping up with records and assignments is both inconvenient and time-consuming for educators. Integrating technology into the classroom has made things easier for both teachers and students. Cloud-based productivity and collaboration applications, including spreadsheets, documents, calendars, and file storage space, are worth the investment.
These free and low-cost digital platforms allow home educators to keep accurate records, design and distribute assignments, plan activities or events, and store course work. Students essentially learn efficient typing, organization, and technical skills they’ll need in the classroom and beyond.
E-Learning Platforms
Providing lectures, reading books, completing tests and worksheets, and working on projects is essential to educate students on the course curriculum. As each child has a different learning style and comprehension rate, teachers must learn how to present materials to accommodate their educational needs. Websites like Curriki.org provide an innovative yet affordable solution.
Listed as one of the technologies in the virtual classroom, Curriki provides a free platform for home educators to create compelling content that keeps students engaged and entertained for improved comprehension and retention rates. With free tools like Curriki Studio, teachers can develop everything from fun educational games and easy-to-use worksheets to entertaining videos and projects to enhance the overall learning experience.
E-Books
Reading and reading comprehension are an integral part of education in the classroom. However, as you may find, acquiring the necessary materials for homeschooling is challenging, time-consuming, and expensive. Textbooks and other resources are costly. Depending on how many books you need (and how many children you have), purchasing them could cause a strain. Not to mention, finding storage space can quickly get out of hand. As books are used for a short time, you accumulate educational tools you can no longer use. That’s why most homeschooling parents turn to e-books.
These are digital books that download to devices ranging from a desktop to a tablet. As they are easier to produce, they cost a lot less than physical books (believe it or not, some e-books are free). Once downloaded, multiple users can use the books at once. Many ebook platforms also come with solutions like audio reading and highlight to help students further engage and comprehend what they’re reading.
Under the current circumstances, it’s easy to see why more parents have decided to bring the classroom back to the home. Beyond protecting their children from the risks of contracting and spreading the coronavirus, home education cultivates a learning environment that provides physical, emotional, and social benefits for children. As you embark on this journey, consider integrating technological resources like those discussed above to make the transition a positive experience for you and your family.
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