Thailand
Have you ever wondered why more students are enrolling in online schools as compared to offline schools?
Online schools are a type of school in which all the classes are conducted over a medium of internet. Unlike traditional schooling, online schools offer students with personalised learning experience and enable them to engage in practical experiences.
Through Online schools, students can attend their classes from a home setting and don’t need to travel to any location. Unlike physical schools, where students have to attend classes for longer hours, online school provides a flexible study routine.
With flexibility, students can learn at their own pace and indulge in other skill enhancement activities, which allows them to become more productive and creative.
However, many people think that homeschooling and online schooling are the same thing, but in reality, both are different concepts.
Online schools are as same as physical schools, but the classes are conducted over the internet, whereas in homeschooling, parents and guardians teach their kids and use study materials.
Contents
What is Online School?
Online School can be understood as the classes that were primarily conducted with the help of the internet. In online schools, students were provided with all the aspects of traditional education in a home setting, where students can learn at their own pace.
Digital classrooms provide students with flexible opportunities to learn and give them personalised learning according to their needs. There are various online schools such as 21K school, offering the best learning experiences using modern technology and so on.
The concept of online schools has derived from distance learning, where students learn can learn from home with the help of study materials. With the COVID-19 lockdown, every student has gone through online learning, and the classes were conducted through virtual learning platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, Slack, etc.
Online education beyond covid too was too popular because of its advantages. Every year, many students take admission to online schools because of its versatility and equal learning opportunities.
How Online Schools Work?
Online schools are a virtual learning platform where students learn according to their comfortability and schedules. Online education assists in breaking the boundaries and bridging the gap between students, as well as creates an inclusive learning environment.
This enables students to effectively participate in the teaching and learning process. Online education basically works with the help of digital media and the internet.
In online learning, all types of study materials, lectures, discussions, online group projects, and all types of coursework were provided in an online setting.
Through online learning, students can collaborate in real education with real-time involvement that allows them to learn at their own pace. Students can get lectures in live mode or recorded, which gives them the flexibility to study according to their study schedule.
Online learning provides study materials in the form of PDFS and e-books through which students can learn from any digital device, such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets, etc.
Even taking assessments in online learning through formative assessment tools allows students to understand their performance and weaknesses, which is more effective than traditional systems.
Elements of Online Schools
Online schools provide education with the help of a digital medium that allows students to engage in the learning process in an interactive way. Online school uses various e-learning platforms and digital elements to provide educational contexts.
Online education uses some e-learning elements that make education more effective and successful. Here are the elements of online schools mentioned below.
1. Learning Management System (LMS)
Learning management system (LMS) is an interactive method of self learning. LMS contains every aspect of online education, which includes study materials, lessons, modules, assessments, learning resources and so on.
LMS allows students to grasp concepts easily as per their comfortability and requirements. It also helps teachers as well to prepare class notes and upload class data in LMS, which helps them monitor students’ performance.
2. Live Online Classes
Online schools provide live, real-time classes to students through visual platforms. Live online classes are also considered as synchronous e-learning, through which students and teachers can interact in real time and ask questions.
Live online classes enable students to participate in class activities and develop a sense of cooperation among students. Even through online classes, students can also connect with peers and allow them to participate in online group projects.
3. 3D Elements and Software
One of the major elements of online learning is that it uses 3d elements and visuals to make learning more interactive and engaging for students. Through this method, students become more attentive towards online classes.
Through various software students can connect with their peers, and indulge in group discussions, peer to peer learning, online events, and on. Good quality software and 3d elements make education more impactful and enhance the quality of online education.
4. Recorded Online Classes
Recorded online classes are also known as asynchronous e-learning, in which students learn through recorded videos and lectures. Recorded videos allow students to learn at their own pace and according to their routine.
This method of online schooling provides flexibility and equal learning opportunities to children. This enables them to complete their assignments and lessons as per their choice of learning style.
5. School Management System
School management system (SMS) is a type of management software that allows teachers and staff members to create and develop learning materials for students.
LMS allows teachers to prepare a monitoring system for students to measure their performance and weaknesses. This also enables them to track records of students’ attendance, assignments and tasks, as well as promote effective communication between students and teachers.
Advantages of Online Schools
Online schools have numerous benefits as compared to traditional schools, which enable children to enhance their full potential in terms of learning outcomes.
Advantages of online learning have the potential to bridge the gaps of traditional education and ensure that all students have equal access to education.
Online schools help in promoting an inclusive learning environment and also enable students to achieve future goals. The benefits of online schools are listed below.
1. Flexibility
One of the main benefits of online schooling is its flexible nature. Online schools offer flexibility to students, through which they can study according to their schedule and comfort.
Through a synchronous and asynchronous model of learning, students get the benefits of easy learning, which enables them to attend classes from any location and at any time. Online education also helps in eliminating racial problems in schools.
2. Budget Friendly
Online schools are budget friendly as compared to traditional schools. Online school is cost effective because it removes the expenses associated with meals, transportation, hostels, library, additional fees, etc.
Along with these, students also have to spend money on educational materials and resources, but in online schools, students can find resources in an online mode, such as PDFS and e-books, so students don’t need to pay any extra amount.
3. Personalized Education
One of the major benefits of online schooling is that it offers personalised education. Every student has their own learning style and level of flexibility, online classroom offers students individualised and personalised learning approaches.
Personalised education helps children to learn according to their comfortability and allows them to enhance their learning ability. As the future of education is flexible and remote, it offers full control over their education.
4. Accessibility
Online schools provide equal access to education to every student, irrespective of their challenges. Through online schooling, students can access high quality education from their home setting without any barriers and conflicts.
This enables them to enhance their learning outcomes and helps in improving their learning abilities.
5. Enhance Collaboration Skills
Online schools allow students to effectively enhance collaborative skills.
Through online education, children can effectively make proper connections with their peers and teachers. The benefits of collaborative learning allow them future opportunities.
Challenges of Online Schools with Effective Solutions
Online schools provide equal learning opportunities to every student, irrespective of socioeconomic status. Online Learning also enhances students’ mental health.
However, along with the benefits, there are various disadvantages of online schools. Below, you can check the disadvantages of online schools.
1. Technical Challenges
Technical difficulties are one of the most common disadvantages of online schools. Due to internet problems, online schooling has become less effective.
Due to technical challenges, students find it difficult to connect with their teachers and participate in online classes. Even computer malfunctions or technical issues hamper the learning process.
- Solutions for Technical Problems: This technical challenges can be overcome by good internet connection with high speed wifi.
Various online schools such as 21K school uses less data and work in even poor internet connection. Even students can chcek recorded classes and e-learning materials.
2. Cause of Isolation
One of the major disadvantages of online schools is causing students to develop isolation.
Attending online classes makes students socially isolated due to which makes it tough to deal with others. Online schooling hampers the face to face interaction between teachers and students.
- Solution for Cause of Isolation: Isolation is a common problem however, students can participate in online group projects, peer to peer learning, participating in online class activities, etc.
Participation will help in eliminating the cause of isolation. 21K school also focuses on activity based classes to enhance students participation.
3. Lack of Motivation
Lack of motivation is the most common cause of online schools. Sometimes, due to attending online classes, students find themselves demotivated, which causes them to perform poorly in their academics.
As attending classes online makes students isolated, and there are no physical teachers to motivate students due to which reduces their self-esteem and confidence.
- Solution for Lack of Motivation: Using interactive and fun learning activities allows students to participate in class activities, which enhances their motivation.
Mostly online schools uses 3d learning, simulations, activity baked classes, gamification and so on, that enhances students participation and develop motivation.
4. Distraction
Distraction is the most common cause of online schools. Students attending online schools are more prone to addiction due to social media.
Due to distraction, students find it difficult to focus on their education and finish the lesson. Social media notifications and pop-ups from sites like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter divert user, which hinders their learning potential.
- Solution for Distraction: By using LMS and effective study routine helps to students to stay focused and concentrated. This enables them to effectively engage in class activities and allows them to study as per the schedule.
5. Low Practical Exposure
Online schooling has limited practical exposure, as children don’t get any hands-on learning experience.
Online schooling only provides practical learning through virtual simulation and AR/VR strategies, due to which students find it difficult to explore real-world situations.
- Solutions for Low Practical Exposure: Online schools has low practical exposure however, they are trying its best to provide practical experience through simulations, digital labs, and activities, etc.
Even various school such as 21K school are also implementing experiential learning to provide practical exposure to students.
How to Choose the Best Online Schools in India?
Choosing the best online schools in India is always the most hectic decision. While selecting an online school, it is essential to meet the requirements and demands.
Always select the school after consideration of learning objectives, fees, quality of education, teaching methods and so on.
As a good online school provides interactive and personalised learning approaches, which enables students to learn according to their comfortability. Here is how you can choose the best online schools in India.
1. Check Accreditation
While selecting an online school, it is essential to check the accreditation and recognition. Most of the online schools are accredited and recognised by government bodies, however few schools don’t have adequate recognition.
Always make sure that the online school is accredited or not, various e-learning platforms are providing online education accredited to national and international standards.
2. Check Legal Considerations
Always consider the legal aspects of online schools, and ensure that the regulatory framework of online schooling.
While choosing an online school, it is essential for parents to make sure that it meets the educational standards and legal considerations established by the Indian government.
3. Analyse Fees
Analysing fees and homeschooling budgets is one of the most important factors when selecting an online school.
Every online school and educational platform has different budgets and prices, while considering the best online schools, it is essential to evaluate the budget before admitting your child.
4. Check Reviews
While selecting an online school, It is essential for parents and learners to check the reviews of the particular schools.
A positive review will ensure you get the right answers, and according to that, you can judge whether the school is perfect for your kid or not.
Top 5 Online Schools in India
A wide range of online schools are there in India that offer quality education to students.
Technology in education is not only limited to education but also provides practical learning that allows students to learn technical skills to prepare kids for future opportunities.
Below, you can check the top 5 online schools in India.
1. 21K School
21K school is the first only online school in India that provides a high-quality, proficient education via an online platform. The 21K school is approved by the government bodies and provides instruction to students from Nursery to Class 12 and adheres to both the Indian and British curriculum.
Established in 2020, the school provides all students with an equal and transparent education through audiovisual animations, which facilitate understanding of the concepts.
Children from various backgrounds, cultures and traditions are welcome to learn and develop together at 21K school.
2. Spruha Virtual School
Spruha Virtual School is one of the online schools that offers education in a virtual mode.
The aim of Spruha Virtual school is to break the geographical boundaries and to increase the reach to every student as well as promote a positive learning environment.
Spruha Virtual School offers a flexible and multilevel learning experience to students.
Spruha Virtual School facilities a quality learning experience through interactive sessions that not only focus on traditional learning techniques, but also through advanced technical approaches.
3. Cyboard School
Cyboard school is one of India’s best online schools provides quality education to all children by using an interactive curriculum. Cyboard school is granted by the International Accreditation Organisation (IAO).
Cyboard school has collaborated with international agencies and educational institutes to provide professional experience.
Cyboard school is government-recognised and follows the CBSE curriculum and offers education to students from Nursery to Class 10. Cyboard school focuses on creative learning rather than theoretical learning.
4. Dream Time Learning School
Another online school, Dream Time Learning School, creates interesting content by utilising gamified and 3d methods. International education is offered by Dream Time Learning Schools, which adheres to the international curriculum.
The knowledge and abilities required for the twenty-first century are improved by the syllabus-oriented curriculum. The school’s curriculum adheres to an international educational approach and is extremely well-designed.
The school provides instruction to students in Nursery through Class 10 and is affiliated with Cambridge Assessment International Education.
5. K8 School
K8 is an accredited school that provides each child with an open and transparent education. From kindergarten through class eight, K-8 students were taught interactively through the use of story mode.
K8 curriculum is extremely well-designed and adheres to an international educational philosophy. Physical education coding, music, dance, moral studies, art and other subjects are valued in addition to the core subjects taught in K8 schools.
Students received instruction in virtual classrooms that utilised videos, exercises, experiments and project work to help them solidify their concepts and foundations.
Conclusion
Online education is a game-changer because it gives students access to individualised learning experiences, flexibility and accessibility that traditional schools might not be able to offer.
Many families now consider online education to be a feasible alternative particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The integration of cutting-edge technologies and interactive platforms.
There are unquestionable benefits like cost effectiveness and improved teamwork, but there are drawbacks as well, like potential isolation and technical issues.
To guarantee that students receive a high-quality education that is suited to their needs, selecting the best online school requires careful consideration of accreditation costs and reviews as the educational landscape changes.
An innovative and inclusive educational future is being paved by the abundance of options offered by online schools in India.
