As one of the most tumultuous, unpredictable, and overwhelming years in recent history, 2020 was a roller coaster, to say the least. Unfortunately, its aftereffects are still lingering in 2021.
While the COVID-19 vaccine is becoming widely available, it may take several months or years before we reach herd immunity. In addition, vaccine hesitancy has become one of the most pressing issues of 2021.
With millions of people refusing to get vaccinated, parents are concerned about sending their children to school again. The threat of the pandemic hasn’t abated, and parents are increasingly looking into alternatives to traditional schooling.
In the midst of this search, online schooling has emerged as a safe, effective, and reliable option. Unlike traditional learning, online learning offers a plethora of benefits. However, many people are still sceptical about making the switch.
If you’re struggling to decide whether you should continue sending your child to traditional school or switch to online school, continue reading. We’ve broken down the basics to help you make the right decision for your child’s future.
1. Safety
As the anti-vaccination movement is gaining traction across the UK, parents are becoming more concerned by the day. According to research, 36% of people are hesitant to get vaccinated in the UK. This could potentially result in 23.9 million people putting others at risk. Apart from physical safety, parents are also concerned about the increase in school bullying and/or harassment across the UK.
Unlike traditional school, online school creates a healthy, moderated, safe, and interactive learning environment. Students can interact with their teachers and peers without potentially contracting the COVID-19 virus, getting bullied, or risking harassment.
As safety becomes the top priority for parents, the switch to online learning is an easy choice for many.
2. Quality of Education
When compared to traditional school, online school poses a lot of questions and concerns about the quality of education. Ultimately, your child can receive the same quality of education through online learning.
However, we strongly recommend taking your time, and making an informed decision. If you choose the wrong school for traditional learning, your child’s academic growth could suffer. The same goes for online learning. To avoid any regrets down the road, choose an online school that stands out for its reputation.
As the most established online school based in Cambridge, UK, Cambridge Home School is the gold standard in online learning. Students aged 8 to 19 are taught by MA/PhD qualified subject specialist teachers. The small classroom size (8 to 10 pupils per group) helps teachers maximise interactivity and engagement.
The institution also has an independent curriculum that promotes optimal learning, knowledge retention, and academic success in students. As you make the switch to online school, you can rest assured that your child will receive a quality British education.
Recommended Read: Larger Class Sizes Lead to Educational Shortcomings in UK Secondary Schools
3. Mental Health
As a parent, you should have a razor-sharp focus on selecting a school that a) helps your child grow academically, and b) protects their mental health. If your child feels drained, overwhelmed, and anxious, it’s likely that they have been placed in an unhealthy learning environment.
Traditional school is known for creating a high-pressure environment that makes children feel stressed and overburdened. In contrast, online school helps protect children’s mental health by creating a healthy, productive, interactive, and enriching learning environment.
Owing to smaller classroom sizes, teachers can engage with each student more intently, and provide one-on-one attention. In addition, students are able to interact with their peers, and establish healthy friendships outside of class.
Recommended Read:How Homeschooling at Online School Can Help Children with Anxiety
4. Study-Play Balance
Online learning offers a ton of flexibility. When attending traditional school, children often get little to no time to play or engage in their favourite hobbies at home.
Online schooling allows children to enjoy a healthy balance between study time and playtime. They can explore their interests and build on their skills without feeling drained and fatigued after a long day at school.
Children who attend online school are more rested, attentive, and perceptive. The “sense of urgency” that’s commonly triggered by attending traditional school is eliminated. Consequently, children feel less anxious and overwhelmed.
5. Personal Growth and Development
While your child’s academic growth is important, it’s not the be-all and end-all of their learning experience. Their personal growth is just as important.
Both traditional school and online school help children develop soft skills like empathy, teamwork, creative thinking, communication, self-efficacy, compassion, assertiveness, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking, among others. However, online school allows children to fully explore these skills, and build on them.
As they get a chance to individually interact with their teachers, children can pick up on the nuances and textures of these skills. For instance, empathy is best taught through actions. By observing their teachers practicing empathy—or any other core skill, for that matter—children can emulate specific skills more intently, and retain them in the long run.
By juxtaposing online learning and traditional learning in 2021, it’s evident that the former is a better option for parents. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, parents are increasingly making the switch to online learning. While this trend is currently on the rise, it’s expected to crystallise and become the “new normal” in the upcoming years.
Recommended Read: How to Maintain Your Child’s Social Life When Homeschooling
About the Author
The author is an education specialist at Cambridge Home School. She evaluates teaching methods, oversees curriculum planning, assists students and parents, and analyses the admissions process.
As the most established online school based in Cambridge, UK, Cambridge Home School provides a quality British education across four schools: Primary Prep School (ages 8 to 10), Lower School (ages 11 to 13), Upper School/IGCSEs (ages 14 to 16), and Sixth Form/A Levels (ages 17 to 19).
Parents are encouraged to visit their admissions page for more information.
