Online Homeschooling

Archive for January, 2010

Choosing homeschooling for a middle school child makes a lot of sense. Your child has probably developed a strong need for independence by now. Homeschooling helps your child to feel more independent and more in control, because she can work and manage her schedule by herself. All you need to do is supervise.

The rigid structure of traditional schooling and the often-ruthless social atmosphere are very hard on many middle schoolers, and especially on the more sensitive, creative and techie types. The ease and flexibility that homeschooling offers take a lot of the pressure off these talented students and allow them to work at their own pace and to free themselves from the stress of trying to measure up to impossible social standards.

Online homeschooling, and especially 3D online homeschooling, is absolutely wonderful for middle schoolers. Your middle schooler probably loves technology, breathes technology and finds it very hard to let go of technology. How wonderful for him to be able to incorporate exciting 3D technology into his education! Instead of trying to get away from his boring studies to play video games or text his friends, he can create virtual worlds and message other homeschooled friends as part of his studies!

Another important aspect of homeschooling that makes it especially suitable for middle schoolers is that it allows your middle schooler to be creative and to use self expression via the creation of 3D avatars and various virtual objects.

Middle schoolers need to be challenged. They hate to be bored (can you blame them?) and become bored very easily. Dry repetition of facts drives them crazy! Another hands down victory for online homeschooling, and especially for 3D online homeschooling, which keeps students engaged because it’s fun and interactive.

WiloStar3D’s virtual world homeschooling program has been specifically designed to meet the needs of homeschooled middle schoolers. It provides students with a challenging technology and with student-centered multidisciplinary approach to virtual learning. The WiloStar3D online homeschooling middle school curricula is designed around an integrated 3D virtual reality approach to language arts, science and social studies. Each middle school course has been designed to address specific academic standards. The WiloStar3D middle school program is fully accredited so that if your child chooses to transition to a public or a private school later, their transition will be smooth.

When choosing a homeschooling program, you as a parent naturally want it to be accredited.

An accredited homeschool program is accredited or certified by an outside agency. Homeschool programs do not have to be accredited, but accreditation has significant value because it means that the school’s program and its curriculum have been evaluated and approved by a third party.

Online homeschools that obtain accreditation demonstrate to students and to parents that they are committed to the highest education standards possible. Obtaining accreditation for an online homeschooling program takes time and effort by the school and is a demonstration of the importance that the homeschool places on guaranteeing the quality of their academics.

Choosing an accredited online homeschool makes a real difference. When your child attends an accredited homeschool, you know that they are learning material appropriate for their grade level and that they will be able to easily transition into any other educational program or institution, including college. You also know that your child will have a full curriculum and will thus develop important time management skills, just as they would in a more traditional educational setting.

When choosing an accredited homeschool program for your child, you are more likely to receive a transcript and grades, and your child will probably receive a homeschool diploma upon finishing the program. Both would later enable your child to demonstrate academic achievements and to receive scholarships.

Choosing an accredited homeschooling program is one of the best ways to make sure that the school applies rigorous standards of excellence to its program and that it takes pride in providing the highest level of enrichment and education.

We love homeschooling because it offers students and parents wonderful flexibility and the ability to tailor the curriculum to the specific child’s needs. We love online homeschooling even more, because we believe that technology is the future, and using computers and the Internet as an integral part of a child’s education gives them valuable tools for life.

But we took online homeschooling a step farther and created a homeschooling program that immerses students in 3D educational virtual worlds.

A virtual world is a computer-based simulated environment intended for its users to inhabit and interact via avatars. Virtual worlds are not just for video games – they represent a powerful new media for instruction and education that presents many exciting opportunities for students, parents and educators.

A revolutionary new way to homeschool, 3D online homeschooling incorporates stimulating online 3D virtual reality world development in educational online homeschooling projects. Incorporating 3D virtual worlds into the learning process gives students a chance to think outside the box, to be creative, and to be challenged in their thinking. Instead of regurgitating facts or doing busy seat work, students create, explore, collaborate with other students, and enjoy every aspect of their online education. Unlike traditional learning, the word “boring” is simply never associated with virtual education.

3D online homeschooling is the polar opposite of traditional, passive schooling. It is active and fun and greatly enhances the online homeschooling learning process. 3D online homeschooling enhances problem-solving abilities, keeps students engaged, motivates them to excel and – most importantly – makes homeschooling fun, for the students and for their parents.

Photo by wmshc_kiwitayro