7 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online School

Learn more about the key considerations you need to take when choosing an online school for your child, and find out how you can make the right choice.

As the world transitions to the new normal, parents' many concerns are their children's education. Safety should be everyone's priority. There's no question about it. But that doesn't mean educations should stop for children. With the help of technology, children can still receive quality education even amidst the pandemic.

More and more parents are turning to e-learning. But with so many schools with online courses in your country, choosing the right one can be confusing. Here are some key considerations to take when looking for an online school for your child.

Experience

Your child will be making a lot of adjustments in this new school set up. That's why you must choose a school that's already well-established in online learning. Entrust your child's learning to a school with a well-known reputation, years of experience teaching online programs, and a reputation for using top digital learning technologies.

Accreditation

The demand for online classes has peaked to an all-new high because of the pandemic. That's why lots of low-cost online schools with questionable education quality are emerging left and right. So, how do you know which school to enrol your child in? Aside from the school's years of experience, you should also make sure that they're accredited by the relevant departments or ministries of education in your country.

Just like with traditional schools, tuition fees will vary with online schools. You'd think that the school with the highest tuition price offers the best education. But that's not always true. There are plenty of schools with reasonable tuition costs that offer high-quality education.

Research different schools and compare their tuition prices. Check their syllabus to ensure that you're getting your money's worth. And while you're at it, make sure to check for any additional expenses so that you don't get blindsided.

Program Diversity

Top online schools have a wide variety of courses offered. Program diversity gives your child access to different courses and electives. Besides giving them more options, it is easier for them to switch majors should their goals or interests change.

Class Availability

Program diversity is a desirable trait of a good online school. But that means nothing if your child can't get a spot in their chosen classes or programs. Lack of access to classes can seriously delay your child's roadmap to graduation. So, make sure to check the school's class and program availability before enrolling your child. Many schools have an online chat integrated into their websites. Take advantage of that and ask as many questions as possible.

Flexibility

Online schools may offer either asynchronous or synchronous learning.

Schools that offer synchronous learning may include scheduled live online classes conducted by teachers. Of course, live sessions are important for students to get instant feedback. However, the Philippines is not known for its fast and steady internet connection.

A slow or intermittent connection is a big problem when having a live virtual class. Likewise, your children may share a common gadget for online learning. So, it may be better if the school also offers asynchronous learning alongside these live online classes. This way, your child can study at their own pace within a given timeframe.

Learning Environment

Your child's virtual classroom should be convenient and easy to navigate. Adapting to the new normal is hard enough. They don't need the added difficulty and frustration brought about by a bad learning environment.

Ask as many questions as you can about the school's learning technologies. What learning platform do they use for their online classes? Is it accessible on different mobile devices? Does the school provide downloadable resources? These are just some important questions you need to ask the school before enrolling your child.

Final Thoughts

There are many benefits to enrolling in an online school. However, there are also certain pitfalls you need to avoid. Carefully going through the considerations listed above can help you make the right choice.