Many students, even those in elementary school, are now choosing to learn online. The chance to learn from the comfort of one’s own home and at a pace that suits the individual student is a major draw for many families.
But online education for elementary students has more benefits than just being easy and flexible.
In this article, we will explore 12 key benefits of online education for elementary students that make it a valuable option for families to consider.
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1. Flexibility at Your Fingertips
Online education allows students to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule. This means that students can learn at times that are most convenient for them, whether that is early in the morning, late at night, or during the weekend.
In fact, according to Online Business School, this is one of the main reasons online education has become so popular in recent years, especially after the pandemic.
Moving on, online education also lets students learn from anywhere as long as they have access to the internet.
This is particularly beneficial to families who live in remote areas or those who travel frequently.
2. Personalized Learning and Individualized Instruction
Remember when you were a student? Did you ever feel like you were just one of the bunch? Maybe the teacher didn’t even know your name. That’s out the window with online education.
For example, students can focus on areas they feel passionate about or that they need extra help with. Online education also lets teachers tailor their lessons to the needs of each student.
The English and history teacher Ren Downing writes, “With personalized learning comes higher student engagement.”
According to him, personalized learning can also result in increased productivity.
3. A Wider Variety of Course Offerings
Online education gives students access to a wider range of classes, including some that are unavailable in traditional schools.
Just imagine: robotics, advanced math or science, astronomy all in one place.
Also, students can have access to a wider variety of digital tools.
On the subject, Drexel University says this: “Since students are not required to travel to campus for courses scheduled on specific days and times, students can enroll in the courses they are most interested in.”
Online education relies heavily on technology and digital tools like interactive whiteboards, video conferencing, and educational apps.
This allows students to learn in a more interactive and engaging way, and prepares them for the use of technology in their future education and careers.
We invited you to have a look at sites like Coursera or Udemy, and just scroll through their course list to learn the true power of online education.
Python for beginners, Beethoven’s piano sonatas, and the art of sales are some examples. The sky’s the limit!
You might like: 21 Unschooling Activities You Haven’t Tried Yet
4. Pacing at Your Speed
Sandeep Menon, of the India-based education initiative RiVERTIDE, writes, “children must fully understand a concept before they move on to the next one.”
On that line, some kids need more time than others. Online education lets students work at their own pace, which can be helpful if they have trouble in traditional classrooms.
This way students can take the time they need to understand the material and complete assignments, without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
Conversely, there are kids who are faster than others, and with online education they can skip ahead, avoiding feelings of frustration.
5. Greater Parental Involvement
Do you, as a parent, like to get involved in your kids’ education?
Well, research from the National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education shares that “no matter their income or background, students with involved parents are more likely to have higher grades and test scores.”
That’s not all!
Experts agree that parental involvement results in kids with better social skills, better behavior, and they adapt well to school.
So, what can you do to get involved? Well, online education helps with greater parental involvement and oversight, as parents can and must easily monitor their child’s progress and communicate with teachers.
This can help ensure that students are on track and getting the support they need.
6. More Opportunities for Collaboration
I bet you’ll like your children to be a team player.
One of the key benefits of online education for elementary students is the ability to collaborate and communicate with classmates and teachers in a virtual setting.
This allows for more interaction and participation in class discussions, group projects, and other activities that promote teamwork and cooperation.
Moreover, according to Cornell University, collaborative learning can “develop higher-level thinking, promote student-faculty interaction, increase student retention and self-esteem, and (it prepares students) for real life social and employment situations.”
Online learning platforms also make it easy for students to communicate with their teachers and classmates through messaging, video conferencing, and other digital tools, which can enhance the learning experience and foster a sense of community.
Just because they’re not in the same physical space doesn’t mean they’re isolated!
7. Diversity of Teaching Methods and Multimedia Resources
Did you know that homeschool parents can tailor the teaching methods and multimedia resources to their kids’ needs?
I bet that most schools wouldn’t let you do that!
I’m talking about interactive simulations, videos, games, and other digital tools. They can make learning more engaging and interactive. Not only that!
Boston University’s Digital Learning & Innovation published an article listing the benefits of using multimedia resources in education. Among them:
- Better knowledge retention
- More opportunities to engage with the content
- Multimedia can better express complex ideas
With online education, students can access a wealth of educational resources and materials that usually are not available in traditional classroom settings.
Kids do not learn by books alone.
8. Better Time Management and Study Skills
With online classes, students can set their own schedules and work on assignments at their own pace. Early in the morning? Late at night? In the afternoon?
There are no right or wrong answers.
This flexibility can help them develop good habits for managing their time.
Additionally, online learning platforms often provide tools for tracking progress, setting goals, and staying on track, which can further support students in developing these important skills.
Take that procrastination!
If you still need help managing your time, check out this amazing article from Concordia University on how students can manage time.
This might be helpful too: 9 Free Homeschool Curriculum Options with Daily Lesson Plans
9. More Time for Extracurricular Activities
Education does not end when the bells ring. In fact, one of the most important things about our kids’ education are extracurricular activities.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, “Extracurricular activities provide a channel for reinforcing the lessons learned in the classroom, offering students the opportunity to apply academic skills in a real-world context.”
These activities help round out their education and provide additional opportunities for growth and development.
Let’s think about a few of them.
Foreign languages, music, creative writing. Some of these might not be available in the local area or at a traditional school. Online education can help with that!
10. Easy Access to High-Quality, Student-Tailored Resources and Materials
Similarly, online education gives students access to more educational resources and materials that may not be available in traditional classroom settings.
Think about digital textbooks, online libraries, videos, documentaries, etc. And they can use these from anywhere in the world, and at any time.
Remember the time you went to the library and it was closed? The horror!
With online education you can forget about that. Simply open your laptop and click away.
This increased access can help students stay engaged and motivated, and provide them with the tools they need to succeed academically.
We also recommend: 21 Top Homeschool Resources for Parents
11. Development of In-Demand Digital Skills
How often do you ask your kids to help you with your computer or the TV settings?
Kids these days sure know their way around electronic devices. It’s a necessity for them. The world is at the tip of their fingers, and they can’t afford to not know how to use a computer.
But fear not!
Online education can prepare your kids for the digital age and open doors for careers with a strong focus on technology.
According to Gartner, 91% of businesses are engaged in some form of digital initiative—which means that digital literacy and skills are in higher demand now than ever, and are projected to grow.
It’s Your Turn to Take Advantage of Online Education
In conclusion, online education offers a wealth of benefits for elementary students.
From flexibility in terms of schedule and location, to personalized learning and individualized instruction, online education allows students to learn in a way that best suits their needs.
It is clear that online education is an excellent option for students of all stages and it offers a wide range of benefits that traditional brick-and-mortar education cannot match.
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