Research Blog

Where do you learn best?

In today's world, you can get an education almost anywhere. There are many different types of schooling available to choose from. You have the option to attend public school, private school, cyber-schooling (online schooling), or homeschooling. Online schooling has become more popular and more advanced in today's society more so than it use to be. Online schooling or "cyber-school" is taking the public school setting into a virtual perspective, which can be done from a computer or a combination of online and homeschooling. Depending on what kind of student you are, one type of schooling may be better for you, rather than the others. 

Figure 2

Online schooling and public schooling are pretty different from each other. In online schooling, you sit at home on the computer and work at your own pace throughout the day. There is no teacher in front of you and no classmates surrounding you. Public schooling has a more sociable environment with teachers, sometimes a few, and many other students surrounding you. Online schooling and homeschooling are more similar, but still different from each other. With homeschooling, a parent or a teacher will teach you the material appropriate for you to learn (figure 2). Then they will have your learning continued onto the computer for practicing or to take tests.

Figure 3

One schooling program may work better than others for a particular student. To choose a program that is best for the student is very important for their learning and their environment. A student may like homeschooling better than public schooling because they may have a kind of social anxiety or test anxiety and being at home is a better environment for them. A student using cyber-school or homeschooling maybe have previously attended public school, but my have been bullied, (figure 3) and no longer want to attend public school. 

Figure 4

With today's advanced technology, using the internet is involved in any school setting you choose. Even in a regular public school setting we learn how to type properly on a computer, to presenting using power points (figure 4). We are taught how to use these programs early on in life, starting form our teachers using power points for the lessons that our taught.  

One can receive an education from almost anywhere. Just remember to keep in thought, not everyone has to go through the traditional in class public schooling. If that doesn't seem to work, there are many other options you can choose from to make sure you get the best education that fits for you!

References

Green-Hennessy, S. (2014). Homeschooled adolescents in the United States: Developmental outcomes. Journal Of Adolescence, 37(4), 441-449. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2014.03.007

Klein, C., & Poplin, M. (2008). Families Home Schooling in a Virtual Charter School System. Marriage & Family Review,43(3/4), 369-395.