October 9, 2024 – Online Learning – Does it Work?

Mercy Every Minute

Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor

Three Benefits of Online Learning

When I am at a loss of what to teach or how to teach it, I often look for help online. If there is a subject I just haven’t decided yet for the school year, I look for online support. There are so many great resources out there to look at, but I have to ask which is best for my students and our schedule? 

In the article “Beyond the Dining Room Table: The Amazing Benefits of Online Learning” by Cheri Blomquist,

the author sets up many benefits of online learning. Here are three:

1. Online courses help the parents by freeing up valuable time.
2. An online class can be reassuring for challenging subjects.
3. Online courses can give students valuable experience working with other teachers. 

Personally, online courses have helped me fill learning gaps where my child (and this teacher!) needed additional help. 

What about the teacher? What do we have to help in the areas of educational and homeschool related research, ideas, and encouragement? Our free digital magazine! Find it online at www.TOSMagazine.com, or in the free app at HomeschoolApp.com. You need as much help and encouragement as your children do, and this is a great place to find that.

You can do this. God gifted you with these children and He will equip you. The liar will tell you that you are a failure. You are not a failure—that would mean it was all about you. 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

Don’t forget to listen to the podcast related to today’s topic at www.HomeschoolShow.com.

Get THREE free books from Math Mammoth, and see for yourself how this affordable, open-and-go, and rigorous math curriculum looks like!

Todd Wilson

Familyman Ministries

Beware!

Hey Mom,

Of course online learning works. It works great. It allows experts to teach your children and for your children to experience multi-media events and lessons that they couldn’t experience at your home. It also takes some of the burden from you and allows on-the-go learning as you travel and run errands.

But beware!! Beeeewaaaare!!!! Online learning quickly turns into game playing, video watching, time wasting, and crud exposing if not monitored and checked. That’s because kids log onto their online learning experience and then when mom gets distracted and unaware they jump ship and move into something more . . . “interesting.”

So Mom, use online learning to further your reach and lessen your exhaustion. But beware!!! Don’t you assume that everything is fine and ok while little Honeysuckle is quietly doing her math, phonics, or history lesson. Check in from time to time to keep them on task and to prevent any unintentional train wrecks.

So use it and bewaarrree!!!

Be real,

Todd

P.S.— Want to add a little fun to your homeschool week? Check out our new Spin for Smiles Spinner. It was designed to help you smile. You can get yours here.

Todd Wilson is a dad, granddad, writer, conference speaker, and former pastor. Todd’s humor and down to earth realness have made him a favorite speaker at homeschool conventions, retreats, and churches across the country. As founder of Familyman Ministries and the Smiling Homeschooler, his passion and mission are to remind dads and moms of what’s most important through weekly e-mails, podcasts (The Familyman Show & The Smiling Homeschooler), seminars, and books and products that encourage parents. Todd, and his wife Debbie, still homeschool two of their eight children (six have graduated with four married) in northern Indiana. You can read more at www.familymanweb.com.

American School offers affordable, accredited, print and online courses in grades 6-12, with full-year programs and individual subjects available. Visit www.americanschool.org to learn more.

Christine Weller

Online Learning to Enhance and Complement

As homeschooling parents, we are constantly exploring ways to provide the best education for our children. In today’s digital age, online learning has become a popular option, but many wonder: Does it really work for homeschoolers? The answer depends on a variety of factors, but when used thoughtfully and intentionally, online learning can be a valuable asset.

Flexibility and Accessibility

One of the biggest advantages of online learning is its flexibility. Whether your child thrives on a structured schedule or learns best at their own pace, online courses can adapt to your needs. Homeschoolers can access a wide range of subjects, often beyond what is readily available in local co-ops or through textbooks. Whether it’s a foreign language, advanced math, or even unique electives like coding or graphic design, online resources open up new possibilities.

Interactive and Engaging Tools

Many online programs are designed with interactive features that help engage students in ways that traditional textbooks cannot. Video lessons, quizzes, and hands-on activities allow children to learn through various formats, helping them to retain information better. For visual or auditory learners, these multimedia elements can make a huge difference.

Parental Involvement Is Key

While online learning can offer tremendous benefits, it’s not a “set it and forget it” solution. Parental involvement remains crucial. It’s important to monitor your child’s progress, encourage engagement with the material, and be available for support when needed. Some students may struggle with self-discipline when learning online, so maintaining a balance between independent learning and guidance is essential.

A Balanced Approach

In the end, online learning can be a great complement to your homeschool curriculum. It provides flexibility, a variety of resources, and engaging content. However, it works best when integrated thoughtfully, with parents playing an active role in guiding their child’s education.

With the right approach, online learning can be an enhancement for your homeschool, providing students with the tools they need for success in today’s tech-driven world.

About the author

Christine Weller has been homeschooling her two boys, 10 and 6, since birth in the lovely province of Ontario, Canada. She is also a mom blogger and children’s book author. She is currently working to support homeschoolers everywhere through various roles at The Old Schoolhouse®.

Pillar of Knowledge

Roger Smith

Learn Online?

YouTube has saved me! . . . And distracted me! 

Will it do the same for children? Of course!

The world of online curricula is not limited to curriculum companies and formal schools. The online options are vast, and vastly different. So, whether your child can learn through them will be determined by a handful of factors:

• Is it something they want to learn?
• Is it interesting/fun?
• Is it short?
• Do they care about it?

Let’s face it, you learn things online when you choose the content. Your child is no different. Sitting them in front of a screen only guarantees they learn if they want to.

Information must be relevant. 

Andrew Pedewa, owner of IEW, recently explained the four levels of relevancy:

1. Intrinsic—it is part of who you are, and you only need time, freedom, and resources to allow personal pursuit.
2. Inspired—it is interesting to some respected person, so you are made curious.
3. Contrived—though it is not particularly interesting, it is made interesting by a game or activity.
4. Enforced—you have to learn it, like it or not!

Using your innate wisdom, which of these would facilitate online learning? 

Proceed!

P.S. Here’s a link to Andrew Pudewa’s talk: https://iew.com/principles-of-motivation-andrew-pudewa

About the author

Dr. Roger Smith is a family doctor in rural Louisiana, where he and his wife, Jan, raised four adventurous children who are all grown, making their own mark in the world. He speaks and writes on parenting issues and produces brief videos that can be found on Facebook @ParentingMattersNow.