How Online Schooling Can Benefit Your Child’s Education
Flexibility, accessibility and giving children more opportunities to take charge of their own learning are just some of the benefits of online schooling.
The pandemic-related events of the past few years have shone a spotlight on the possibilities presented by online schooling or remote learning.
The necessary and widespread shift to virtual classrooms throughout lengthy periods of lockdown revealed the raft of benefits and opportunities that online schools can deliver.
Online schools will not suit every child. Without a doubt, COVID-19 presented challenges for some students – and for some teachers – who were uncomfortable with the remoteness and distance of online learning and who prefer to learn in-person.
As students have returned to campus, some education experts and commentators have questioned the value of online schooling compared to the bricks and mortar alternative.
Certainly, virtual learning will never completely replace the traditional classroom, nor does it set out to do this. But just as certainly, online schooling can provide a flexible, convenient and effective alternative for some students and families.
In 2023, Victoria’s first private online school — Haileybury Pangea — begins teaching its first students. Haileybury Pangea has been under development for five years and caters for students in Years 5 to 12.
The typical Haileybury Pangea school week includes a blend of live instruction from teachers, prepared video content, assessment tasks and one-on-one or small group-based time with subject teachers.
Built on the 130 years of expertise within the Haileybury community, the Haileybury Pangea model showcases how online schooling can deliver a high-quality, bespoke and flexible education thanks to the wonders of technology and brilliant teaching.
More choices and greater reach
Online schooling can deliver a wider range of subject choices for students in areas where curriculum options are limited, such as in remote and rural areas where smaller schools may struggle to deliver a broad selection of subjects. Online schools also enable students in remoter geographical areas to remain at home and study, instead of having to move away from their family to gain a high-quality education.
Greater flexibility
While online schools have a certain number of live classes each week, they also encourage self-directed and self-paced learning. Students know what assignments and tasks need to be completed by when, but they decide when they allocate time to get that work done. This flexibility suits students who might be elite athletes or professional performers and who juggle school work with these competing demands on their week.
Self-motivated and deeper learning
Just as online schools aren’t for every student, traditional classrooms don’t suit all students either. For various reasons, some children and young people are less comfortable in a mainstream school. Online schools present an opportunity for those students who might otherwise drop out of the education system to stay engaged with learning and to find subjects that inspire and excite them.
Independence and confidence
Research suggests that when students have more choices about how they learn, their motivation grows and this can improve academic outcomes. Online schools especially suit students who like to take the initiative, who want to take greater control of their learning and who want the freedom to be able to delve deeper into subjects that intrigue them. Self-motivated and proactive learners can thrive in the online school environment while further developing their confidence, competence and independence – all valuable qualities for life.
Proficiency with technology
Students who learn online all or most of the time become highly proficient and comfortable with the latest technology. COVID-19 lockdowns proved that many children can learn, and want to learn, in Zoom or Teams rooms and via Learning Management Systems that fit with their learning style and with their lifestyle. In a society increasingly driven by technology, this easy familiarity with the latest software and smart gadgets creates students who are ready and confident to navigate the very modern world beyond school.
