If you're looking to join the thousands of students across Pennsylvania who have moved to cyber school, then look no further! You may have questions and some concerns, but Parent Ambassador Coordinator Mrs. Lusk is here to address some top challenges — and the solutions that we have for them!
The temporary move to virtual learning brought opportunities and challenges for families in brick-and-mortar settings — and many discovered that online instruction appealed to their needs.
Cyber charter schools offer a unique blend of benefits from both public school education and a flexible virtual model. Those benefits provide plenty of opportunities for students, but they are not without their challenges. Let’s take an honest look at some of the challenges our cyber school families face — and how they overcome them.
There is no doubt that a distinct advantage of cyber education is its flexibility. The virtual setting allows students to utilize resources they might not have had access to otherwise, all while learning from a convenient location.
But access to the technology that paves that flexible path is essential. Families enrolling in cyber charter schools span the entire state, from rural counties to metropolitan areas. For some, high-speed internet might be a financial challenge, or having a computer that is adequate for their learning needs.
How do some of these schools, such as PA Virtual, fulfill the mission to use “innovative technologies” to provide a superior cyber education for ALL students?
First, PA Virtual provides the technology a family needs to be successful in our cyber school model.
EVERY student receives…
Second, PA Virtual provides full technical support in a variety of ways to keep students learning in spite of the inevitable technological glitches that can occur in any setting.
For students who have experienced a traditional brick-and-mortar education, the idea of schooling at home might sound like a welcome change from navigating school hallways, racing the late bell, and organizing a student locker.
But the absence of a physical school structure can be quite a challenge. An in-person school setting establishes structure and routine for students – two elements that are vital to academic success.
Turning the home environment into a school work space requires commitment, dedication, and creativity. After all, home is often associated with leisure, rest, and relaxation – not school work and schedules! How do cyber schools help their families and students find a balance of “flexible structure” for doing school at home?
The combination of structure and flexibility available at PA Virtual supports student success in spite of the challenges that learning at home can bring.
Few would disagree with the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry’s statement that screens are here to stay. With such innovative technology at our fingertips, it is natural for parents to have concerns about their students having too much screen time, especially when their students attend school online.
While many cyber school programs are sensitive to the need to build movement and fresh air breaks into the school day, it is also important for parents to consider a screen time management plan for their family.
Parents can help their students balance screen time using some proactive measures.
During school time
All the time
When students transition from a brick-and-mortar setting to cyber education, not interacting in person with classmates and teachers may be quite an adjustment! Although amazing friendships are made in the virtual setting, cyber schools realize the importance of face-to-face connections for students and their families.
PA Virtual organizes regional outings and service learning opportunities so that students and staff can meet – offline! The community enjoys…
Cyber charters also encourage families to get involved in their local communities to create more in-person connections.
Cyber school students can stay healthy – mentally, emotionally, and physically – by intentionally getting involved and staying connected.
Being motivated and staying on-task is a challenge and not necessarily just for students! People in general can struggle to maintain momentum in any given area. So how do cyber school students, schooling online at home, stay motivated and on-task during the school day?
One powerful way is through teacher support. Cyber school teachers use a variety of tools and methods to hold students accountable and keep them motivated.
PA Virtual teachers
The opportunities provided within the online school community are another effective tool for student motivation.
The PA Virtual community
Of course, since students “work from home,” the Learning Coach plays a major role in maintaining student motivation.
PA Virtual Learning Coaches
Keeping students motivated is a team effort!
Anyone who has educated students at home knows that it affects the entire family. So, supporting the whole family is a key component to virtual education and is vital for student success.
Cyber charter schools support families by providing the technology and curriculum needed for a quality education without tuition expenses. PA Virtual further supports families by including an internet reimbursement stipend to help cover internet connection costs.
Cyber school families are also supported through a balance of structure and flexibility. Structure is provided through the availability of live, synchronous classes, while flexibility through asynchronous classes and independent work reinforces each individual family dynamic — and allows for opportunities that a traditional school schedule may not have accommodated.
Becoming a cyber school parent is a big commitment since it requires close, daily involvement in a student’s education. Although it may not be a good fit for everyone, many parents who choose this model find it quite rewarding. They appreciate the advantages of the cyber charter school model, including:
While the transition to virtual learning has some challenges, some cyber schools, like PA Virtual, have more than 20 years of experience in supporting students and families. If you’re considering an online education, just remember that every challenge has a solution! And cyber schools rise to the occasion!
Ready to learn more about cyber schools? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Attending a Cyber Charter School in PA!
Images courtesy of Anilsharma26 on Pixabay.