With the education climate in a state of uncertainty, many parents are trying to figure out how to choose an online school program. Here in BC, we’re fortunate to have a wealth of alternative learning programs to choose from. However, this leaves people with more choices than they know what to do with!
After working with a variety of different programs, we can confidently say we’re here to help. This post will show you how to choose an online school program that works for you.
Stay Local
When deciding how to choose an online school program, we suggest finding one headquartered near your home. This isn’t mandatory, but being able to meet with teachers in person can provide peace of mind. This also opens up the possibility of face-to-face instruction if a student is struggling with a particular concept.
When Amber Scotchburn, our founder, was choosing the right program for her kids, she thought staying local was important for her needs. Why? Even though she’s an educator by trade, she wanted her younger children to have a teacher so that she didn’t have to take on that role herself. Realizing that homeschooling children can be like a whole other job unto itself, she wanted to make sure that her family’s needs were considered in the plan. Alternatively, as her children got older, she was okay to have them enrolled in programs that weren’t local as they had developed the skills to independently manage online programming, as well as set times to meet online with their teachers.
If you’re living on Vancouver Island, we highly recommend checking out North Island Distance Education School (NIDES) and Island Connect Ed (ICE). We’ve worked alongside both with great success, and they offer many different options for students of all backgrounds. They allow for the possibility of hybrid schooling like in the non-traditional path and combination path taken by the children of our own founder.
Know What Your Child Needs
Every student is unique, and that means every student has unique needs with regards to education. Getting to know the needs of your child is a huge part of figuring out how to choose an online school program.
At Tutoring…With a Twist*, we like to use the VARK learning styles to create a framework for students. This helps kids figure out how their brains like to learn, and that makes learning a lot easier (and a lot more fun, too!). Once you know how your child’s brain likes to learn, you can start to look for programs that teach with an appeal to that style. If a program seems unclear on that front, get in contact with the organizers to see if they teach the best style for your child.
If your child has any known learning disabilities, this will influence the way you look at how to choose an online school program. Different programs provide varying levels of support for students with learning disabilities, so it’s important to inquire about the resources they can offer.
At Tutoring…With a Twist*, we help every student as if they have a learning disability. This means we go above and beyond to support our students at all times. If you’re unable to find an online school program that accommodates your child, our twisted tutors would love to be a part of your child’s education journey. Supplementing online school with tutoring is a great way to develop confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning!
What Does Your Child Want?
When working out how to choose an online school program, get your kid involved! Even if your child is just young, they will be the one going through the program, so it’s important to get their approval too.
Different programs will focus on certain areas more than others, so it’s a good idea to boil each program down to its specialties. One might specialize in arts-based learning while another might put more emphasis on science and technology. Present each option to your child and let them decide what sounds best based on their interests. People are more likely to excel at what they love, and this is true of students in school as well!
We’re Here to Help!
Deciding how to choose an online school program is a large task, but you don’t have to do it alone. The Tutoring…With a Twist* team can support you every step of the way, so don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.
If you want to hear all about developments in education as they unravel, go ahead and check out our Facebook page!
*Services provided by With a Twist Education Ltd.