While transitioning from the traditional classroom to an online platform may not be as daunting as you might think, how do you ensure you’re doing it right?
Students usually shift from mainstream public schools to online learning to meet their educational needs and access flexible learning opportunities.
The students could possibly derive glory from the online schools over the public schools since they get flexibility, individualised guidance and moreover cost saving fee.
As being able to work at your own pace and having no classroom setting, too many of these students will be equally appealing. When used in a proper manner, the same might give you a catered experience of learning depending upon what you need and how you learn.
Table of Contents
- How to Switch from Public School to Online School: Steps
- Documents Required While Switching to an Online School
- What Students Can Expect After Making the Transition to Online School?
- Benefits of Switching from Public School to Online School
- Shortcomings of Changing Over to Online School from Public School
- Parent Tips to Facilitate the Online Switch
- Ending Note
How to Switch from Public School to Online School: Steps
Students and parents need to look into their own needs and research schools before taking up online learning. The parents need to make sure that the students’ chosen school is an authorised one and has passed all the regulations too.
We can use a range of resources to learn about other ways to switch from in-person to online training. Through online learning, one mode of learning has the potential to replace several other traditional forms of classroom learning. The following are the steps given to switch from public schools to online schools
Step 1- Research and Select the Correct Online School
Apparently, parents have always been told to research a lot about that virtual school before putting their kids into school. Select the school which meets the demand of the children.
They must be thorough with their working methodology before making the switch to online school. Also, the school needs to possess accreditation and government approval as well.
- Set Your Objectives: When leaving public school, you have to plan goals and be able to conform to academic requirements as well. With specific objectives we can see what the rationale of switching to schools is needed.
- Analysis of Accredited Institutions: It has to be checked for online school transition that it hand-picks approved schools. Always make sure the schools are up to the mark and accredited by the government.
- Analyse the Curriculum and Learning Preference: Online schools have various teaching methods and curricula. Thus, it is very important to pick the right program before you start. Trying to verify that the courses match your requirements is also essential when opting for an online school.
- Review the Technical Requirements
The tech set-up is extremely important in the case of online schools. If you want to keep on attending school from home, make sure that all the necessary technicalities like internet, computer, tablet etc. are in place.
Step 2 – Notify Your Current Public School
After you have made your decision, informing your current school about your change to an online school is definitely the next step. With this, your school will ensure that your academic records will be transferred and that you complete the withdrawal process, if any.
Step 3 – Enrol in the Online School
Students should be prepared and set up to enroll in the selected online course, once a decision is made. Finish your online coursework, ask for a permission from your school, then take the admission to the online school.
The main steps are to submit an online application, mail the required paperwork and maybe attend an orientation.
Step 4 – Establish Your Learning Environment at Home
For online learning, an essential part is good online resources and the right atmosphere to study. Computers, gadgets and internet accessibility would be necessary along with a quiet distraction-free room for attending online schools
Step 5 – Learn to Use Online Learning Tools
Examine the tools and websites that your new school makes. Visit the website of your school from where you are supposed to attend video lessons and utilise communication tools for the learning management system. By practising daily, you can easily use online learning tools.
Documents Required While Switching to an Online School
Students must submit a few important documents when they transition to online learning. Prior to enrolling their children in the new online school parents must take them out of their current school.
The documentation requirements for each online school may vary depending on the students enrolled. New online schools ask parents to provide the following documents.
1. Birth Certificate
A copy of a candidate’s birth certificate is the most crucial document they need to send in to enroll in online courses.
Candidates must provide a birth certificate as identification and proof of age in order to be admitted to an online school. Usually the online school requires it in its original format or in a certified copy.
2. Last Exam Passing Certificate
Children also need to submit a last exam passing certificate in order to enrol in the online school. The exam certificate includes all the necessary credentials such as marks, academic information, etc. Through this, online schools are available to assess students’ academic performance.
3. Transfer Certificate
The Transfer Certificate (TC) is a very crucial document that indicates a student’s official discontinuance. By means of TC, e-schools can ascertain if the student has departed the school in a legitimate way and there are no pending works.
Besides that, TC is the proof of leaving the educational institution, which enables learners to continue their education at other schools.
4. Migration Certificate
In order to change schools, students need a migration certificate. The student’s eligibility to enter the new one is verified by the migration certificate. This certificate allows new online schools to verify the students legitimacy.
5. PwD Certificate (if applicable)
PwD certificates are only applicable to students with disabilities in some schools as per specific rules. By ensuring that the student receives the accommodations and support services required in this new online learning environment it promotes inclusive learning.
What Students Can Expect After Making the Transition to Online School?
Students who transfer to an online school can anticipate increased autonomy, increased engagement in their education and the acquisition of additional life skills.
In the classroom, students work hard to accomplish these goals and are prepared to handle challenges in a world that is changing quickly. When students switch to virtual learning platforms, they can expect the following.
1. Digital Literacy Skills
The conversion from public school to an online learning mode, helps students get the digital literacy skills. The reason is that online learning allows students to understand the usage of digital tools and technology and resources.
Students in online learning participate in online assignments, online discussions, and conduct online research through which they update their technical knowledge.
2. Self-discipline
The online education enables students to take charge of their own learning with the help of e-learning tools. So students can make self-discipline contributions, and over time students can extend their focus.
Self-discipline equips youngsters with the skills to be accountable for their tasks, which is a very great advantage not only for academic success but also for professional life. Besides good self-discipline, students enjoy a better level of satisfaction, and as a result, they excel in academics.
3. International Cooperation
The change from public school to an online school, helps in building international cooperation between both the teachers and students for global learners. Students through online classes can be linked to the whole world and can attend classes from any place and thereby becoming aware of the cultural aspects.
Besides this, it helps students to refine their communication skills and also makes them ready for the global job market.
4. Increased Learning Engagement
Online learning increases student engagement by using interactive and multimedia learning materials.
Online classes have gamified learning activities to attract the learners such as an animation, a video, a simulation, etc. that promotes the efficiency of the child’s learning. Through this children acquire thorough knowledge of the concepts, and can later even connect with the topics.
Benefits of Switching from Public School to Online School
There are several advantages to moving from public to online education including more educational freedom, individualised learning and flexible learning options. As a result, children can complete their education from the comfort of their own homes.
When compared to public schools, online learning is also thought to be more affordable. These are a few advantages of switching to online learning from public education.
1. Learning Flexibility
Online learning is known for providing flexible and more customised education which enable students to complete their education from any location.
Every child has their own learning capabilities and style providing them with a flexible learning approach helps in enhancing their learning outcomes. This flexibility also allows children to engage in other activities or jobs.
2. Cost-Effective
As compared to traditional schooling methods, online schools are considered as cost effective. In offline classes students have spent transportation costs, accommodation, food, uniform and so on.
In online education, students don’t have to pay any extra expenses as they can continue their studies from their home environment. This helps in eliminating extra cost and reduces financial burden.
3. Personalised Learning
Online school offers personalised learning opportunities enabling students to receive customised and flexible learning. This personalisation allows children to clear their doubts, and make learning more simpler. This allows children to engage with the educational content more easily.
4. Safe Learning Environment
Moreover online education is safe from the disadvantages that are present in traditional schools systems like discrimination and racial bias.
On the other hand, students when taking classes online always feel less pressured, and less stressed about their studies which leads to a good positive learning environment. They may be the victims of bullies in the past or they may find studying stressful but with online learning, they will be fine and comfortable.
5. Reduce Stress
Those students who moved from traditional to online schools reported that they feel less stressful. Online students can really take control of their learning and along with that, they can study with more confidence which will eventually lead to success.
Reduced exam stress and students stress leads to better academic performance, which is also beneficial for children’s mental health.
6. Enhance Learning Environment
Online learning is known for using fun learning activities such as game-based learning, simulation, 3D projects, and so on, which enhances student engagement. By implementing games and interactive activities education becomes more fun and interesting.
Shortcomings of Changing Over to Online School from Public School
Even though online learning has many advantages, there are also drawbacks. Because of the potential impact on students’ overall learning experience the decision to switch from public to online education must be carefully considered.
1. Distraction
One of the major drawbacks of online education are the distractions that the students have to face. When students are studying at home they might be more disturbed by their families or the housework than if they were in the normal class room.
Non-academic content like social media might distract a student from his studies. Students’ academic performance may lower due to their inability to focus and learn in such a chaotic environment.
2. Cause of Isolation
Without a doubt one of the worst features of changing from a public school to an online school is the isolation factor. Students who study online become lonely and isolated.
In online learning there is very little interaction between other peers or teachers due to which students feel self-isolated. This hampers students’ confidence and their social skills, due to which students become depressed and isolated.
3. Technological Hindrances
Technical barriers are a major problem in an e-learning environment. In online education students mostly face technical challenges such as poor internet connections, technical faults, software glitch and so on.
This hampers the learning process of students which causes them to become frustrated. Even students who belong from rural areas find it difficult to access education easily.
4. Lack of Credibility
Lack of credibility is a major factor in online schools as some online schools lack credibility and do not provide quality education.
Also many online schools are not having credibility, causing poor performance of kids due to lack of proper resources.
5. Decrease in Motivation
Online learning cause students to reduce their motivation, due to lack of self-discipline. As in online school there is no physical study routine due to which children find it difficult to adapt to new structures. Due to lack of motivation children lose their interest and perform poorly in their exams.
Parent Tips to Facilitate the Online Switch
By creating a positive learning environment offering homework assistance and closely monitoring their child’s academic progress parents can help their child make the transition to online learning.
Parents can ensure a successful and fulfilling online learning approach by actively participating in their child’s education. The parent advice listed below will help with the transition.
1. Establish a Positive Learning Environment
Setting a positive learning environment is necessary in order to enhance the learning outcome of students. A positive learning environment allows children to actively participate in the teaching and learning process, which enhances their interest towards learning.
It is important for parents to create a positive learning environment in their surroundings so that students can easily engage with their studies.
2. Assist them in their Studies
A parent’s point of view on education is very essential as they can be the ones who provide the support and do the homework with the kids, which is a nice way to deepen the relationships. Besides that, they can give the permission to the students to take help from the teacher or another student.
Two ways through which parents can help their children become more motivated and self-assured are by actively engaging in the child’s education and by showing that one is concerned about the academic of the child.
3. Established a Quiet Study Nook
To prevent any kind of distraction online learners need a quiet comfortable space to study. The study space must contain all of the hardware. The study space must be equipped with all the hardware, i.e., computers, stationery and materials.
Parents can also set boundaries during study time and make other family members respect this quiet hour so that their kids can focus better.
4. Visit PTM
In an online learning environment, parent-teacher meetings (PTM) are required to monitor a childs progress and difficulties. By posing queries and discussing their child’s areas of strength and growth, parents can take an active part in the sessions.
These teamwork abilities can help one comprehend the offered curriculum syllabus, pedagogical resources and methods.
5. Pay Attention to their Studies
It is also important for parents to check the studies of the students, track the learning status and activities on a daily basis. This helps in understanding their weaknesses and strengths as well as allows them to provide them with extra support and guidance.
Ending Note
So, it is easy to conclude here that learners can switch from public school to online school easily but with a focus on some aspects. The easy steps along with simple documentation needs, makes this transition process easy for guardians.
Whenever children switch from public to online schools it is essential for them to understand the process and meet the necessary requirements of the selected schools. It is important for parents as well as to follow all the necessary requirements and check the online schools effectively for a smooth process.
Parents can also help students by following their educational records, creating a quiet study space and promoting a nurturing environment helps in developing the skills of the students.