When you have a question, where do you turn?
For the majority of us, the answer is Google. It’s nothing like when we were growing up and had to search through dozens of books cataloged in the library. Today, there’s a plethora of information available for free online.
What do these changes mean for the future of education? There’s an overwhelming number of students who are now turning towards alternative schooling methods. The trend is becoming so popular that homeschooling is borderline mainstream in the U.S. Get all the details about this rising trend below.
What’s Unschooling?
Recent estimates suggest that over 2.3 million students throughout the U.S. are homeschooled. This statistic indicates that more and more families are choosing to homeschool rather than send their kids off to traditional schools.
Homeschooling means that students do not attend public school. Instead, they educate themselves at home. In the younger grades, parents lead the curriculum. As the children get older, they can explore the areas they’re most focused on.
Unschooling is a type of homeschooling method where students can direct their own learning. That means all subjects the student learns about is something they’re specifically interested in. There’s no external curriculum that dictates what a child can learn and when.
In the past, a parent’s ability to comprehend and teach the curriculum largely dictated whether or not parents ultimately chose to homeschool. Today, parents can harness the power of the world wide web to empower themselves and their children to learn at home. Learn more about how online learning can help with unschooling below.
How Can Online Learning Help?
If you’re considering taking an unschooling approach to your child’s learning, then the Internet should become your new best friend. Not only will your student have access to thousands of resources, but they’ll also get exposed to the leading theories being presented by field experts in real-time.
This valuable information far exceeds a textbook’s ability to convey certain subjects.
Your student can also find tons of curriculum-driven resources to help them tackle difficult subject material. They won’t be restricted to that data, though, as they can have free reign to discover everything about the topic online.
Advantages of Online Unschooling
One of the major concerns parents often have about homeschooling is whether or not their children will be adequately socialized. Experts have consistently found that homeschooled children fare just as well, if not better, in that area.
What types of advantages come with homeschooling your child in a self-directed learning style? Here are just a few:
- Students develop self-motivation and determination
- Homeschooling allows creativity to blossom
- Students develop a stronger bond with their family and community
- Children develop more personal responsibility
- Many homeschool students go on to become entrepreneurs
- Encourages a passion for life-long learning
These advantages of self-directed education are all backed by scientific research.
Learn About Your Options
Are you and your student considering taking an unschooling approach?
There’s no “right’ way to educate your child, and every student is unique. Consider doing some research to discover what type of homeschooler you are before taking the big leap into alternative learning.
An investment in homeschooling is an investment in your child’s future.
Making Your Choice: Traditional School or Alternative Learning
There are plenty of reasons why parents and students may opt for a traditional learning experience. There’s a lot of room for growth, improvement, and socialization. There is, however, a growing trend to look towards more personalized, one-on-one learning experience, which can be achieved through unschooling and online learning.
You and your student’s decision is a personal one. You’ll have to look at all the advantages and disadvantages of both options before making a choice. If you have any questions, then reach out to the experts at Global Student Network at 1-866-446-9963.