October 8, 2025 – Is Online Learning Really Homeschooling?

Mercy Every Minute

Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor

You are the Administrator

Whether your children are curled up on the couch with a reading book, at the kitchen table with workbooks, or in front of a computer for an online class, you are the administrator and director of your child’s education. Online schooling is just another tool in your teacher kit. Personally, online courses have helped me fill learning gaps and teach subjects I am not sure how to handle. 

At The Old Schoolhouse, we have help in the areas of research, ideas, and encouragement for the teacher. You can find our free digital magazine online at www.TOSMagazine.com, or download the free app at HomeschoolApp.com. You need as much help and encouragement as your children do. Spend a few minutes online to enrich your teaching journey.

Our Shepherd walks with us as we shepherd His children. Don’t give in to fear. God gifted you with these children, and He will equip you. The liar will tell you that you are a failure. But you have a Faithful God writing your story. He will complete the work He begins in both you and your children. 

“My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my life . . .” Psalm 73:26.

~Deborah

Resources:

Our Pinterest page has an abundance of homeschool helps at: https://www.pinterest.com/tosmag/_created/.

Definitely check out SchoolhouseTeachers.com— for the price of one elective elsewhere, you get hundreds of courses opened up to the whole family! Our family has benefited from science, history, writing, Spanish, guitar, and other courses through SchoolhouseTeachers.com. Be sure to check out the IST (interactive) courses.

And, the magazine has over twenty years of articles on every topic imaginable, including online learning. 

Online Learning Success by Brandy Chandler

Online Education: A Viable Alternative by Crystal Marcum and Tammie Bairen

Online Learning: Plugged In or Turned Off? by Laura Baggett

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Study your bachelor’s degree online at Falmouth University: a UK university with over a century of creative excellence. Find out more today.  https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/study/online 

Shelby Hand

YOU are the teacher and ultimate decision maker!

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About the author

Shelby Hand is the wife of Cody and mother to four daughters. She has a doctorate of education in new learning and is passionate about homeschooling her children to the glory of God. She is the interactive content coordinator at SchoolhouseTeachers.com.

Handwriting copywork from God’s word available in both print and cursive formats. Visit goodandrightpublishing.com to see all our products.

Adam and Dianne Riveiro

Online? Remote? Streaming? Videos?

Voltaire once said, “If you wish to converse with me, define your terms.” History tells us that Voltaire wasn’t a very nice man, especially to Christians. But I have to give credit where credit is due; his statement is a good one and has helped me many times over the years.

So what do we mean by “is online learning really homeschooling?” If we’re talking about remote learning through your local school district, then my opinion is an emphatic no. With this type of learning, parents are not in control, rather, the local school district is still in control and influencing your children in your own home. Remote learning is online learning; it’s just not homeschooling.

On the other hand, what about video school, streamed from a tablet or laptop from one of the many Christian companies who offer it? What about programs like Teaching Textbooks, an online math platform that has served our family well for many years? Again, my opinion here, but the answer is a resounding yes. Homeschooling is all about tailoring curriculum, systems, and programs that meet the unique needs of each family . . . you have the control. If you recognize that online learning works best for your situation, that’s your call.

A word of caution, though—don’t choose video-based schooling out of fear that you’re not equipped to teach your children. Instead, pray for wisdom to discern the best homeschooling approach for your family (James 1:5). Don’t default to online learning simply because you doubt your abilities. No one knows your children better than you do, so don’t let fear convince you that you’ll fail them without relying on video schooling.

As always, homeschool is best. Maybe if Voltaire had been homeschooled, he wouldn’t have been so grumpy!

-Adam

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About the author

Pastor Adam and Dianne Riveiro live in Easton, Massachusetts, where Adam serves as the pastor of Liberty Baptist Church. Together, they’ve authored several books, including their newest book Ministering to YOUR Children with Special Needs, published by Ready Scribe Publications. Parents to four amazing kids—Bethany, Kaylee, AJ, and Peyton—the Riveiros are deeply committed to helping special needs families discover joy and contentment through Christ.

Beth Mora

The Real Deal

Let’s get philosophical. No, let’s get foundational and real. Homeschooling, the real deal, is about discipleship. It’s about sitting at a table and diligently teaching your children the ways of the Lord. It’s about taking a walk with your child and discovering God’s world together. It’s about snuggling on the couch and talking about things that matter. Every subject is a facet of God to be revealed. God’s Word is the core of all subjects. It’s a way of life. No government or non-believing organization has any business being involved in what God has called our family to do. 

Before I consider any curriculum, whether textbook-based, online, or in a classroom setting, it must pass the first of my litmus tests: Does it have a biblical worldview? Let me put it another way. When evaluating any form of education I plan to use, would I invite the author to my home and encourage my children to listen to and emulate them? If the answer is no, then I don’t use it. It’s that simple. My children deserve the finest. All curriculum, including online learning, is just a tool to that end. 

As a creator of online learning, I knew there were some additional tricky pitfalls that I wanted to avoid. Namely, I didn’t want any part of creating a passive learner. Active learning requires interactive conversations that facilitate critical thinking, rather than just providing pat answers or multiple-choice questions. The real deal of homeschooling is interdependent learning, not independent learning. There are no lone wolves in the kingdom of God. 

Your homeschool will look different than mine. I might use different curriculum tools than you do, but stay with the real deal, my friend, and don’t invite anyone into your home who doesn’t.

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About the author

Beth Mora is a staff writer for The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC and lesson designer for www.Schoolhouseteachers.com. She is the creator/teacher-on-camera for Here to Help Learning’s Homeschool Writing Program Grades 1-6, and a homeschool conference and women’s events speaker. Meet up with Beth at Home To Home, one of her favorite places to encourage. Everything she does, whether laughable or heart-gripping, is done to honor her Lord and Savior, Jesus. God’s grace is the salve that has healed her own life and is what she offers liberally to others.

Did you know, Here to Help Learning’s Writing Program Grades 1-6 is part of your subscription to SchoolhouseTeachers.com subscription?

When students create their own browser-based games with JavaScript in Web Game Design, it becomes clear that online learning can be hands-on and immersive. These lessons from SchoolhouseTeachers.com guide learners through a digital adventure complete with instructional material, hands-on activities, and creative projects. Start your online adventure today!