What’s the real deal about Online Homeschooling?

Conventional schooling systems are slowly becoming obsolete and it is about time we took notice. In fact, they are being replaced by more sophisticated online homeschooling platforms that provide students with access to their entire course material from virtually any place. All they need is access to the internet. Yes, that’s true. Students no longer require a computer either. With technological advances taking the field of education by storm, children these days are able to browse through their entire course material on portable tablets and in some cases even their smartphones. Online K-12 courses aren’t limited to desktop computers and laptops anymore. The world as we know it is rapidly changing and we need to be prepared. More than us, it is our children who need to be equipped for what lies ahead.

Several parents have been aggressively pulling their children out of traditional schooling environments because of the several advantages online learning systems offer them. Recent studies show a rapidly rising enrollment rate for online K-12 courses all across the United States. In fact, online schools are slowly proving to be the future of our entire education system.They are economically very viable and are suited to educate virtually anyone who’s willing to learn. There are courses available for all kinds of students including special and gifted children. Working professionals too can take their pick of courses without really worrying too much about scheduling their classes. The only minor hurdle most people face currently is in making the transition. Online homeschooling is a whole different ballgame than what most of us have grown up with. Moving away from a system that has worked for us for decades and adopting something entirely new will certainly throw up some apprehensions.

The best way out of this however, is to spend a little time learning more about online learning platforms. Several parents over the recent past have raised reasonable concerns about the effectiveness of online K-12 courses. Like every concerned parent out there, teachers and educators too, share the same concerns. While critics will always exist, there are some strong points working for online schools in the country. Graduation rates in the country have been improving. The dropout rates too, have been on the decline. Students seem to be showing renewed interest in their education and several of them have been exploring options to make up for lost credits. Amidst all this encouraging information, the only concern that seems to stand out is that of the long-term effectiveness of such learning avenues. Are they really as good as they claim to be when stacked up against brick-and-mortar schools?

Online homeschooling works fundamentally on the principle of independent learning. Students are encouraged to take on the personal responsibility of their own education. In fact, online homeschool courses allow students complete flexibility to schedule their study time as well as the pace at which they would like to complete the learning of their course material. At Forest Trail Academy, we have always believed in and continue to encourage the attitude of lifelong learning. In truth, no one’s learning process ever stops. It is up to us to choose whether we want to continue the learning process we started as children or limit the potential of our minds by giving up on the learning process after a certain age.

Tips to Help Freshmen Start Online High School Strong

All’s well that ends well! However, in the case of online courses, all’s well that starts well! You need to be prepared well before starting with your online course. This is mainly because your online high school learning environment is pretty different from that of a traditional learning environment. Thus, if you are making a switch from a traditional school to an online high school, you need to train yourself well before you take a leap!

Get youreslf a nice work space
You need to get a proper work space. This will keep you focused and determined, right from the beginning. In fact, getting one is not enough; you need to maintain the work space. There is no point in decluttering your work space.

Try to get rid of any trash or old scape paper that you no longer require.  In case, you do not have a designated workspace, go for space you can make your own. You should be able to keep your laptop or computer charged. You should have good light. It should be airy as well. Also, it should have minimum distractions. In short, it should be a quiet and safe place. And, it need not be fancy! You must get this place organized well as well.

Get your supplies
At the time of setting up your workspace, you must replenish your supplies. Many extra supplies might be needed. These mainly include pens, pencils, a highlighter, scratch paper etc. You must keep these supplies carefully. Keep the place organized. This will lessen the chances of losing your crucial items!

Build a schedule
In order to start your new class on the right note, you must come up with a good learning schedule.You must create a schedule with all of your class times. You can actually take help from your online teachers.After all, your teacher is a professional who will know how to build a smart learning schedule that will be result-centric and success-driven!

You must include a lunch break and other short breaks as well. Make it feasible for yourself. Too much load will take the fun out of online learning. Keep and maintain the balance! Try to lessen the screen time. Set your personal deadlines and maintain reminders for the same. Keep the learning schedule flexible, in case you might have to change it at a later stage.

Connect with your online teachers right from the start
Your online teachers are always there to help you. So, you must avail this incredible human resource provided to you by top online schools, such as Forest Trail Academy online high school. You must reach out to your teachers unhesitantly. Focus on communicating with them right from the start. This will help you to create a healthy rapport with your online teachers. Unless you put your voice forward, your teacher will not be able to get an idea of your common academic concerns, if you have any. After all, there is no face-to-face interaction here. So, your teachers will not get any cur here!

You must ask for advice on what you could do differently to better your performance. They will tell you about the exact strategies to help you succeed.

Write down your goals
It is imperative to set semester goals. These goals might be short-term or long-term. Most importantly, you must pen these down. There is no point in keeping these in mind! In order to keep yourself driven to reach your goals, you should be clear as to what the goals are. In order to gain clarity, just write these down! This is a crucial step. It will help you strategize well and do your tasks right on time. Procrastination is an enemy for any online student. Thus, right goal-setting can help you to do away with this common habit.


Get into the habit of working independently
You need to be an independent learner in order to be a successful online learner. However, most of you might get worried since you are usually not programmed to learn independently. The truth is that even if you are not born as an independent learner, practice makes you be one. And, in fact, you can reach greater heights when you are an independent learner. This is because while doing so, you will be aware of your weak points and strong points as well. And when you are well aware of yourself, you can just make the right decisions, when it comes to your career or learning!

Independent form of learning will teach you how to manage your time effectively. It will help you to stay ahead of your task. You will be bound to take the ownership of your career. Thus, you will be get transformed into a responsible individual!

Get into the habit of socializing virtually
Many claims that online learning is making students socially awkward. The truth is that online high schools provide ample ways to socialize. The only thing is that the approach is different from those provided by traditional high schools.

In an online environment, you can interact via various virtual platforms, such as discussion forums, collaborative online projects, communicating online via some communicator etc. Thus, you need to get into the habit of socializing online. And the good thing is that you can meet up with your newly found online friends as well! The good thing here is that you can actually choose your friends.

You need to learn how to communicate effectively in an online environment. You will never feel isolated when you connect with your online learning community.

Gather basic technological skills
In order for you to avail the benefits of online resources and tools, you need to know how the technology works! And you do not need to know the intricate details. But, you certainly need to know the basics well. This is important, today, not only for an online learner but any individual who wants to flourish!

How Online Home Schooling can help you chart your child’s future

Reflecting upon times in the past when your child depended on you for practically everything is not uncommon among parents once they grow up to be independent. But no matter how you slice it, your responsibility toward your child as a parent never ends. Every parent is responsible for ensuring their child receives the right kind of education and has access to the maximum number of opportunities once they’re done with their education. While most parents find this to be uncharted territory, online schools in the United States are here to help you navigate your way through this trying phase of your life. Helping your child get his or her high school diploma is just the first step. That’s only going to get them through the door. As a parent, it is up to you to decide on what’s right for them and help them secure opportunities that will help them succeed in the future. Online education and distance learning are just tools to help you get there.

Online learning environments have proven to be very viable alternatives to traditional schooling methods especially in terms of costs involved and given the current economic crisis we've just managed to get ourselves out of, such platforms are proof of efficient solutions that will help put our children back on the right path to success. Earning a high school diploma isn't just about getting a degree; it’s about securing and attaining the required knowledge that will help your children chart a successful career path for themselves. Employers these days are looking for more than just a degree. They want to know what else it is that a person can bring to the table. If you’re thinking about equipping your child to be one of those students who makes it in the real world then you have got to consider the use of distance learning options.

In addition to being great for students and delivering the goods, online learning platforms offer parents and teachers versatile options to interact with students and monitor their progress on a consistent basis. Since physical presence is not required, parent-teacher meetings can be conducted online at the convenience of both, parent and teacher, and the modes of communication that can be employed too, offer you a number of choices. At the end of the day, you need to make sure your child is registered and enrolled with an accredited online school in the country since credentials play a very important role when it comes to college acceptance and job applications. Forest Trail Academy understands just how important these factors are to a child’s future, which is why our online school is fully accredited and registered with the Florida Department of Education.

If you’d like to know more about us, we’re just a click away. Log on to Forest Trail Academy today!

Know More About Accredited K-12 Courses:
 Online Elementary School Courses
Online Middle School Courses
Online Diploma Courses
Online High School Courses