Why You Should Use Digital Learning in Your Homeschool – Guest Post

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There’s something idyllic about the idea of homeschooling. It lets you strengthen the emotional bond with your children as you guide their learning. Aside from meeting the legal requirements in your state of residence, you have plenty of freedom. You and your child can explore anything that appears interesting, such as the life cycle of the bee in the backyard, the works of Ernest Hemingway, or how your faith compares to other religions. Sooner or later, though, you will need to consider the effect of homeschooling on college and beyond – and technology in the home classroom can be an important tool for learning throughout the journey of life.

Accessibility of Homeschooling

Not so many years ago, you, the parent, would have had to take on the role of the teacher. You were your child’s expert reference for art, literature, math, science, and history from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Now, though, digital learning allows you to perform another, more familiar, role: that of mentor. Your child can use resources such as open source textbooks and interactive software to learn what they need and want to know from experts in the field of education and specialized subject matter. Virtual communities for other parents of homeschooled children are available as sources of encouragement and practical advice.

Besides the support the parent receives from an online community of homeschool parents and advocates, the opportunity for your son or daughter to benefit from a network of digital scholars can build both connections and skills. With appropriate parental guidance, students in homeschool settings can collaborate with their  peers in conducting research on shared topics and learn to evaluate the work of others while receiving constructive feedback as well. Students tend to learn tips and strategies from other students more so than from only learning in interactions with adults. These skills will definitely become important as your child moves from secondary to post-secondary education.

Gateway to College

College is a major transition from high school because of the harder classes and new subject matter. For graduates of traditional high schools, the changes can be especially challenging. They may feel a lack of direction because they are accustomed to being told what to do via detailed instructions and constant monitoring. As your child’s educational mentor from kindergarten through twelfth grade, you can give your homeschooled child some advantages over traditionally schooled children. A careful balance of oversight with freedom can help your child develop a great deal of self-discipline.

You can also help your child hit the ground running during those first days of college by making sure they are tech-savvy. Students who are exposed to new technology in k-12 are already prepared for the use of technology in college classrooms. Students may need to conduct research online, communicate with their professors via email instead of face-to-face, or watch online lectures to learn course material. Having already experienced how one navigates a virtual learning environment, with all that entails, your child’s online homeschooling can actually give them a real advantage over those not as well immersed in that type of education.

Homeschooling and Online Higher Education Programs

Children who have been homeschooled already have the mentality that they do not need a traditional classroom for learning, and they have the experience to back up their confidence. Students may need to perform distance learning in virtual classrooms when they are on the road, and they can rely on the self-discipline that they learned while growing up in charge of their own education. They will be able to set their own schedules and continue to make decisions about how they learn best.

As you homeschool your child and worry about the future, as parents naturally do, you can assure yourself that online programs are increasingly prestigious. Most employers view them as equal alternatives to full-time, on-campus programs. Since online degree programs are designed for busy individuals, your grown-up child can continue to pursue personal interests, whether that means starting a family or showing dedication to a career path.

Going beyond a four-year-degree, once you have an undergraduate degree, work and family additions to your life give added value to your skills learned in digital technologies and developed learning methods. Being able to adapt to changes in technology – and life in general – can pay off when you’re ready to advance your education through an online master degree program that fits your skill set.

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About the author: Brian Flora is a professional writer living in the Indianapolis area. He specializes in writing education and technology articles.