Educational journeys are unique for every student and children of different ages learn in different ways. In recent years, more parents have realized that the one-size-fits all approach to education does not work for their kids, turning to options like online school for their families. However, for younger kids in elementary and middle school, parents may be hesitant to explore online school because of the myths they have heard about the quality of the curriculum and socialization opportunities offered by virtual schools.
Virtual education isn’t anything new, in fact Kansas families have been choosing virtual education as a viable option for years. At Kansas Connections Academy, an accredited tuition-free, online public school, we have served students in grades K-12 across Kansas for nearly fifteen years. Families trust our school because we provide individualized learning to students through a curriculum and program built intentionally for the virtual environment. It’s one of the many reasons why 98% of Kansas Connections Academy parents say their child is satisfied learning at our school, according to our annual third-party survey.
While virtual education has proven to be a successful education option for students of all grades, myths about online education persist, especially for middle school and elementary-aged students. To help demystify common misunderstandings surrounding virtual schools, Kansas Connections Academy presents to you the top three myths about online education:
Myth #1: Virtual schools aren’t suitable for elementary-aged students.
Young children are much better at adapting to new learning scenarios and technology than you think. In online elementary school, children have the chance to learn in creative ways and exercise cognitive skills. In fact, we believe that a solid elementary curriculum should go beyond technology and be filled with varied learning opportunities, including trips to parks and museums, craft projects that incorporate a math or reading lesson, playdates with other children, singing songs, and other interactive outlets.
Myth #2: Online students don't have socialization opportunities.
Contrary to the misconception that online students lack socialization opportunities, they engage in various social activities with their peers and teachers - both online and in-person. From interactions like virtual classroom chats, email, or phone calls to in-person activities like field trips, student-led events, and graduation, virtual students gain critical communication skills and strengthen their emotional intelligence. Additionally, the flexibility of online public school enables students to participate in extracurricular activities, such as volunteering and pursuing athletic or creative talents. It also gives parents more freedom to facilitate their children’s social opportunities.
Myth #3: At virtual schools, parents can’t be hands-on with their student’s education.
The best online schools work closely with parents, making sure they are able to stay involved. At Kansas Connections Academy, parents help their kids succeed through the supportive role of Learning Coach. The key to ensuring your child succeeds while learning online is to choose a school that builds real relationships with students and gives both students and parents the individualized support they need to overcome any challenge. Teachers should be accessible and collaborate with parents to ensure that each student gets the differentiated instruction they need, when they need it.
Discover the advantages of online school with Kansas Connections Academy and how your child can benefit from a dynamic and supportive online learning environment.
To learn more about our tuition-free K-12 online public school, click here or visit http://www.KansasConnectionsAcademy.com.