Computer-based Virtual Schools

[Lisa Russell]

What is your opinion of virtual schools. Many children use the computer for their schooling and call it homeschool. Are these families losing the benefits of homeschooling since they're technically enrolled in a school or are they avoiding the negative social aspects of a classroom based education. Is there a psychological difference between learning from a teacher or from a book and learning from a computer-based classroom experience?

[JackieWks]

HSLDA doesn't consider them hsers. Go to HSLDA.org & type virtual school into their search engine. Lots of info there.

Basically, public schooling at home. Although they sometimes may choose curriculum. Probably depends on state. Sometimes they even receive a couple of thousand $/ child.

Would consider the social aspects of virtual schools a positive.

We use SOS, Switched On School House, from 4th to 10th grade. It uses dvd's on the computer.

[Breya]

I would have to say they are not technically homeschooling in the usual way but if it works for them I say let’s encourage them. It has got to be better than being physically being in the state school.

One issue I have seen over the years is that homeschoolers ‘measure’ or judge each other. I don’t think that is what you meant by bringing up the topic. But as a general rule we do a lot of comparing of what really amounts to different styles of homeschooling. I am convinced that this comparing of methods often scares off potential homeschooling families because they hear us and think they could, “Never do it right.”

I am glad I only have to figure out what method to use on my kids and not anyone elses.... :)

[Lisa Russell]

You're right, there is a lot of judgemental-ness about the topic, that's why I posted this. Someone in our local support group was suggesting we not allow families using a virtual school program to participate and I didn't think that was very nice. I wanted to see what the general concensus was. IMHO no matter what method a family chooses to take charge of their child's education, they aren't likely to do worse than a public school. At least in my town!

[JackieWks]

"Someone in our local support group was suggesting we not allow families using a virtual school program to participate..."

Bet I know who said that !

[Lisa Russell]

Wow, that would be some trick, since we live thousands of miles from you! It's a small world after all. Love your website!

[JackieWks]

Thanks...

Was just sorta kidding since I think their twin homeschools down the road.

[Lisa Russell]

There's one in every town, isn't there

[Breya]

That is sick but I also have watched the same.

We have a well known homeschool speaker/adviser in our local group and she often comes down harshly on anyway that is not her choosen style. The sad thing is that she really wants to encourage others on their homeschooling journey but seldom does. Because she is so well known if a new homeschooling mother isn't sucessful or comfortable with 'expert's' methods they end up sure they are a failure. I often feel like I am running around trying to pick up broken moms and encourage them to trust themselves.

I have known several families to be sucessful with methods that would NOT have worked with any of my kids. Isn't one of the biggest benefits to homeschooling supost to be that we can think outside the box and use anything that works?

The judgemental-ness is one of me biggest pet peeves.

[Lisa Russell]

It's good that you do that. I think we have a tendency to be self-judging, so that when I see you (for example) doing something amazing that wouldn't work in my home, I end up believing something must be wrong with me.

I think the message "find what works for you" is so simple that it gets lost in the shuffle.

Also, if I am touting the methods that work well in our home, it can come off as "This is what you should do." Which is fine if it works for you; that's one of the awesome things about homeschool moms; their eagerness to share what works, to "minister their salvation." I wish there were a way to universally empower new homeschoolers to realize that their "way" might look nothing like what any other family does.

[Breya]

You are so right..... It can be hard, when I am excited about a method, style or new book that I want to share about, not to give the impression that this is THE way. I have to admit I can get very pumped when I find something that works for us.

The only idea I have is to try and get a newbie to explore their and their childrens learning type. And then present the different schooling styles out there objectively! Pros and cons. Then encourage them to just jump in and try something. If they know some stuff will work and to expect other stuff to have to be changed or adapted for them. But that because XYZ didn't work it does not mean they are a failure.

By the way now... What do you use? I have used it all in the past 16 years and right now Sonlight is working for us.

[Lisa Russell]

I think we'd probably love Sonlight. We use TWTM and sometimes when my kids are particularly loving a piece of literature I borrow the sonlight guide from a friend of ours who has like every level. We use a modified, unschool-ized version of TWTM. For Math, my older girls use Saxon (just finished 8th & 5th grades) My younger ones use Miquon and Singapore. I lvoe everything we do except Science. I think we might try Noeoeoeoeo I don't know how to spell it, truthfully the annoying name is why I didn't fool with it last year. It sounds so good, though.

There's a lot to your last line, though. Right now it's working for you. Our needs change over time, don't they?

[JackieWks]

Refresh my memory...what is TWTM ?

Haven't heard of that science curriculum, but we've been using SOS(Switched on Schoolhouse) for so long I haven't researched new stuff.