The number of online schools across the globe has grown exponentially over the last few years due to a number of factors. These include advances in technology and the increasing realisation that many traditional schools haven’t evolved sufficiently to meet the needs of today’s world.
Yours may be one of the many families that are considering the transition to an online school. Whilst you may be familiar with how they work, the differences between the schools is not often clear from websites and promotional material.
In this blog, we hope to delve into online schools and what you can expect from them.
Size of Schools
One of the main differences is in the size of online schools. There are several very big schools whose names seem to be in every search results page. These have students numbering in the thousands and offer different models of education depending on the needs and the budget of a family.
Positives include:
- A global timetable
- Plenty of online resources
But the downsides include:
- Lessons are often in big groups, or with an element of self-study
- Your child could just become a number, due to large class sizes
School Curriculum
There are a number of curricula that are taught widely across the world: - The English Curriculum, based on IGCSEs and International A levels
- The International Baccalaureate
Individual countries may have their own curriculum which online schools in those countries tend to follow. Make sure when choosing an online school that the qualifications your child receives are ones that are internationally recognised.
Socialisation of Students
One of the criticisms of online education is that it can potentially isolate a young person because of a lack of opportunities to socialise with classmates.
An important question to ask is ‘how the online school manages this?’
Do they offer extra curricular activities, school residential trips etc. Also, what measures are in place to monitor and promote a student’s well-being? What form does pastoral care take? All are important questions to ensure your child is safe and happy in their education setting.
Teachers and Their Qualifications
Teaching standards vary across the globe and with them, the quality of teaching a school is likely to be able to provide.
Check out the teachers, their qualifications and their experience before making a decision. Some online schools employ teachers who have no qualifications for teaching, simply experience. Others will employ on the basis that a teacher has a degree in the subject they will teach whilst the best will insist that teachers have a degree in their subject and a globally recognised teaching qualification.
Even better still are online schools whose teachers are also examiners, as they will be able to advise students on exam technique as well as effectively delivering the curriculum.
Means of Lesson Delivery
This is very important and isn’t always clear from websites and marketing. Most online schools are businesses and their objectives are often focused more on profit than on outcomes for the student. In any conversations with admissions teams, you should try to gain a picture of whether the school is student oriented or business focused.
This can make a big difference in the outcome for your child.
One way that some online schools maximise their return is to offer mainly or only pre-recorded lessons linked to a self-study programme on their learning portal. Progress is monitored by automated marking and by weekly tutor group/coaching sessions with your child. This form of online education demands organisation, diligence and dedication from students and, if your child is not strong in these attributes, they can very easily fall behind.
At the other end of the scale are the schools that deliver live lessons in a standard school timetable. The lessons are usually recorded too so if illness or other reasons cause a child to miss the lesson, they can catch up. In these schools, classes are usually small and, indeed, some schools promote themselves on the basis of small classes allowing a more personal, individualised education where each student is known to everyone in the school and feels an important and valued part of that school community.
Communication
In an online school there is no ‘school gate’ where you can catch the teacher for a quick chat about how your child is doing but an important factor to consider is how the online school communicates with you.
Some schools have added a ‘Parent App’ to their technology allowing real time access to important elements such as attendance, upcoming assignments and grades. Given the distance between families and online schools, effective and regular communication becomes increasingly important.
External Examinations and Results
Because of their virtuality, online schools aren’t able to have students taking external examinations ‘in school’. Most arrange for students to take examinations in centres close to where they live, often in British Council centres or in schools which accept private candidates.
Pearson Edexcel are trialling examinations taken online at home but these are costly because of the technology needed and the small number of students taking part. This may one day become a common means of taking examinations, reducing exam stress for some students.
Parents often choose schools based on their examination performance but again, results can be misleading. An online school which is selective, is highly likely to enable their students to achieve top grades.
Online schools which don’t select students on ability and which may have a number of students with learning differences may not achieve the same number. Some schools ask students to undertake a test of learning potential before they start and then commit to helping the student achieve the suggested potential, if not exceeding it.
Whilst often a complex topic for parents to understand, the best measure of a school’s performance is the ‘added value’ it gives to student. In other words, how much better is the outcome for the student than the initial expectations. If grade performance is important to you and your child, dig deeper in conversations with the school before making a decision.
In conclusion, there are many online schools and you need to choose one that will fulfil all the requirements your child needs to succeed. Sometimes the information you need to be able to make the right decision isn’t immediately clear. It’s a big decision, so take your time, ask questions and then decide if the school is right for your child.