All parents want their children to be in a school environment where they can really thrive. And for those who are considering making the switch to a virtual charter, it’s important to understand the differences between brick and mortar vs. online schools, including not just how they function but how they approach learning and growth.
Keep reading for a quick look at the topic, and get more of the information you need to decide whether an online education will benefit your child.
Online Education vs. Traditional Education
There are several big differences between online and traditional schooling.
The first and most obvious is that online schooling doesn’t require in-person attendance. A student may be required to be present virtually at certain times, but there is no physical classroom from which the school day is built around.
Less obvious but equally notable are the differences in approaches to learning. Many online schools follow either an asynchronous model (students access materials and complete work at their own pace) or a hybrid asynchronous and synchronous model (students spend some time working at their own pace and some time adhering to a set schedule). This differs from in-person schooling, which is almost always based on synchronous learning.
Finally, brick and mortar schools tend to be rigid in their expectations for students – a must when you have several dozen (or several hundred) children who must learn the same material in the same way at the same time. This differs from online schools, where students are given more autonomy when it comes to the structure of their days.
Is Online School Better?
There’s no simple way to answer a question like is online school better, but there are ways to help narrow it down for your own child.
Consider the pros and cons of virtual vs. in-person schooling and how they relate to the needs, preferences, and challenges of an individual student. For instance, some children may benefit from the increased engagement of a brick and mortar school environment, while others may feel most supported in a virtual environment where they’re encouraged to set their own pace and schedule. There’s also the matter of community. Children in brick and mortar schools have built-in opportunities for building peer relationships, but those in online schools must cultivate those in other ways. That’s not to say, however, that virtual charters don’t still facilitate relationships. Many online instructors set aside time for students to engage with each other, and children can still form relationships with peers through outside activities like clubs and sports.
Figuring Out What’s Best for Your Own Child
Ultimately, your best course of action when deciding between traditional and online schooling is always going to be getting all the information you can and then going from there. Remember that all children are unique, and what works well for one might not be ideal for another, and vice versa. If you keep an open mind and work with schools that truly want the best for your child, you’re on a great path toward finding the right fit.
Want to know more? Contact our staff at PA Distance Learning for a comprehensive guide to our curriculum and virtual school environment, and visit our enrollment page to get your child started with online schooling.