Home education has been around for a long time but has never been more popular than this past year when large numbers of families decided not to send their kids back to school due to health concerns and restrictions around COVID-19. While many took advantage of the virtual learning option offered by the public school system in their state, others chose to research and enroll in accredited online homeschool programs that offer a high-quality education, wide range of electives for high school students and dedicated teachers for all students.

Transition to homeschooling is simple when working with a professional online homeschool platform that offers checklists and admission specialists available to answer questions and provide guidance. Parents have the ability to review curriculum, engage in demos of the online portal, read customer reviews and talk with staff members to ensure that the school is the right fit for their student. Online learning is a change for students who are used to being in a classroom and seeing their teacher and peers face-to-face, but the majority of kids actually prefer and enjoy working in a portal and homeschooling for several reasons. This includes having no peer pressure, learning at their own pace, creating a balanced schedule for education and home life and being able to participate in activities outside of school when they want to.

In today’s society, there are few kids who haven’t been exposed to technology in some form whether it’s because they have their own smartphone with social media accounts or they play games and do work on a tablet or laptop. Many schools now have computer classes starting in elementary to teach kids how to operate a keyboard, navigate the Internet and use basic document tools. The ability to get an education through the latest technology means that kids, especially older students, are more likely to engage in the activities and get the work done because they are comfortable with this format. There is also the opportunity to have fun and creativity with the lessons to help students connect more with the material.

Another benefit of online learning is the early development of self-education, self-study, time management and expertise in working on electronic devices. Students can start with online homeschool as early as 3^rd grade with some programs (or earlier with others) and progress through each grade in the portal. Key features of the best education portals should include compatibility with system requirements, user-friendly UI and navigation tools, ability to see progress and grades and work through assignments which are automatically submitted to the school. Students are able to create their own schedule and work at their own pace because everything is accomplished through the portal with the exception of connecting with teachers based on the school’s policy. The skills named are valuable not only in a successful learning experience up to graduation but also in college and the work environment.

Long-distance learning has become popular at the top colleges and universities because it allows flexibility for students of all ages. While there are still a number of students that enroll in campus classes, more and more are utilizing the long-distance option because it is more convenient, affordable and allows students to work and earn their education at the same time. Homeschool students who start with the online learning format early in their education gain experience and comfort in using this which can make them more successful when they get to college and the class process changes some but is, in essence, the same and they have the skills to balance the workload, complete assignments on time and navigate the system.

Online skills are in higher demand in the workforce than in previous years so when a teenager is in online homeschool for several years, the skills they develop are easily translated into other areas of life which can make them more marketable and help them demonstrated or use the skills in an interview or their chosen career. The inclusion of technology courses offered by the homeschool program provides the opportunity to gain additional knowledge and experience or basic online skills can be applied to other interests and electives that support other areas.

Parents support online learning at home by providing the necessary electronic equipment, Internet connection that is fast and reliable, an environment where students can learn in the best way possible and enrolling kids in the best accredited curriculum program that meets their needs. It’s important to choose the right time to transition students from print to online form so they can be successful in the change and grow as a student and an individual. Teachers and staff members in the online homeschool program can help answer questions, provide feedback on the student’s progress and make recommendations based on their experience and knowledge of the system which can help parents make the right decision.