9 Common Concerns about Virtual School

byConnections Academy

5 min to read
Students working on an assignment

When you first consider enrolling your child to virtual school, what’s on your mind? Curiosity? Excitement? Doubt? Chances are you feel a combination of all these, especially if you don’t have first-hand experience with virtual learning or if you have online school concerns in general.

To help you decide if online learning is the best choice for your child, start by asking a lot of questions. Make a list to clear your mind, then reach out directly to the school, or even contact the parent of a current student. If you’re wondering, “What are the biggest challenges with online education today?” see if you can find the answers you need in this list of common concerns about online school. 

1. Do online school Learning Coaches have to manage class schedules, coursework, and establish routines?

Yes! The child’s Learning Coach—a responsible adult, often a parent or other family member, who works with the student to support their online learning—plays a key role in their success in virtual school. 

Learning Coaches do not teach the actual classes, but they help keep students accountable to their school district-designated attendance requirements, make sure students are aware of any important test dates and project due dates, and communicate with their student’s teacher when needed. But they’re not alone! Learning Coaches also rely on the support from their student’s teachers, school counselors, the Learning Coach Support team, and fellow Learning Coaches within their own online community, so they can hit the ground running with their student with confidence.

2. I have more than one student in virtual school. How can I successfully juggle my time between them as their Learning Coach?

Learning Coach involvement typically varies from student to student, especially when it comes to grade level and level of student independence. Younger students typically need more support and guidance from their Learning Coach than older children, but families make guiding multiple students enrolled in virtual school at the same time possible by arranging their schedules based on their child's needs, using multiple Learning Coaches, or even joining a Learning Pod.  

3. I’m worried about making mistakes as my child’s Learning Coach.

Many new Learning Coaches feel nervous and worried at some point that they are not doing enough to support their child in online school, but remember, you’re not on your own. Online teachers are there for you and your student. And soon after getting started, you’ll get a better idea of what makes a great Learning Coach and be on your way to becoming a pro. 

4. I’m not very tech-savvy. Is this a problem? I want to make sure my child’s schoolwork is submitted properly.

Having the technology skills needed to help a student with online learning is a common concern. Here’s good news: at online schools like Connections Academy, there are tutorials available to families both old and new that can help, including one on how to submit schoolwork and other documents. If you have any trouble submitting work or anything else using system technology, tech support is always available during the week to help troubleshoot any issues. 

5. How can I make sure my student gets enough social interaction?

Online school socialization is a common concern when it comes to at-home learning. However, social opportunities are easier to find than you might expect. At online schools like Connections Academy schools, students can often join online clubs and activities, attend school-organized field trips, in-person meetups, and more.  

Also, due to the benefits of flexible online school scheduling, families can have time to include extracurricular activities around their community. 

6. My child has an individualized education program (IEP). How do I make sure they get the support they need?

Students with IEPs who are enrolled in online public schools like Connections Academy have access to a wide variety of virtual special education services. The curriculum can often be modified to accommodate your student’s needs, and the IEP team can offer virtual direct instruction, indirect instruction, or occupational therapy if needed. 

To inquire about your child’s specific IEP needs, contact your prospective online school and speak with an enrollment specialist. 

7. There’s a long list of school supplies needed to set up an at-home learning environment. Do I need everything on the list?

Students learning at home through online school options do still need school supplies; however, many supplies are common items you may already have around the house. Unlike other at-home learning options like homeschooling, textbooks and the school curriculum are provided by the student’s school. 

The most important required school supplies online school students need are a computer, reliable internet access, and a quiet place in your home to learn. Some online school programs, like Connections Academy, even offer financial assistance or equipment for eligible families. 

8. My student tends to get distracted and needs a little extra help staying motivated. How will I be able to keep them engaged and on track?

Easily distracted students enrolled in online school have the benefit of modifying their learning space and learning schedule to eliminate as many distractions as possible. 

The flexible scheduling of online school allows students to reprioritize their classes as they see fit. If a class requires more focus, or if they need extra time to mentally shift between subjects, students and their Learning Coach can rework their schedules and routines to create the most optimal learning environment. 

Similarly, families can also customize their student’s learning space to eliminate distractions that are usually found in brick-and-mortar schools such as other students or busy classrooms.

9. Would my child get too much screen time if they do school online?

While screentime is a concern many families have, not all screen time is the same. Screen time and learning can go hand-in-hand—as long as that screen time is spent productively and intentionally. Many in-person schools also use personal screens in the classroom, just as many online school programs include off-line materials in their online school curriculum. The benefit of online school is that families can help determine how much screen time their student gets at once, planning breaks away from screens, and additional hands-on activities to supplement their learning.  

Make Concerns About Online School a Thing of the Past

While there are many factors to consider while finding the right learning environment for your student, see if an online public school like Connections Academy is the right fit by downloading our eGuide or speaking with an enrollment specialist. Or explore testimonials from real Connections Academy families who have found success in online school. 

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  • Online Teacher vs. Learning Coach: What’s the Difference?

    by Stephanie Osorno

    The Difference Between an Online Teacher vs. Learning Coach

    Teacher and Learning Coach: what was your initial interpretation of these titles? Did you have to think twice because they seemed similar? At first glance, these titles could be construed as synonyms since each involves a degree of leadership for students. When it comes to virtual school, however, teacher and Learning Coach represent two distinct roles.

    So, as the parent of a virtual school student, which role should you be playing? Teachers and Learning Coaches are accountable for several duties that they handle differently, but both collaborate to enhance the student’s online learning experience. If you’re considering online school for your child, we are here to help you determine how to stay within the Learning Coach bubble. Take a look at the various differences between teacher and Learning Coach below to learn more about your specific duties and the ways each role can complement the other!

    Online Teacher vs. Learning Coach

    Virtual schools have certified teachers who are dedicated to helping students succeed—that means a Learning Coach serves as a guide, supporter, and motivator to further stimulate learning and establish a suitable structure for the school day at home. The role of a Learning Coach evolves over time as the student gains confidence and develops more academic skills.

    Among other things, teachers and Learning Coaches oversee daily learning, provide assistance, and monitor progress in different ways.

    Daily Learning

    Breathe easy; it is the teacher's responsibility to teach and provide students with learning material. A Learning Coach is not required to plan any lessons. Instead, he or she should make sure that the student stays focused each school day. Here are a few examples of tasks teachers and Learning Coaches complete to facilitate daily learning:

    Online Teacher

    • Leads the class during real-time virtual classroom sessions
    • Presents new material
    • Plans various lessons for specific subjects
    • Determines which topics will be covered each day

    Learning Coach

    • Encourages breaks throughout the day when appropriate
    • Motivates the student to complete lessons
    • Makes sure the student has enough rest and nutrients for a productive school day
    • Asks the student what he or she learned at the end of each day to maintain open dialogue
    Questions and Assistance

    Since teachers lead the class, it is important that major questions be directed at them—after all, that is what teachers are there for! Learning Coaches can help with small concerns and questions such as, "Am I on the right track?" or "Am I being clear in this essay?" The more students reach out to their teachers, the more they will grow to be independent learners. Here are a few examples of tasks that teachers and Learning Coaches complete to effectively assist students:

    Online Teacher

    • Answers the student’s questions in the virtual classroom, or via phone or WebMail
    • Can offer support through individual online sessions
    • Personalizes lessons based on the student's needs
    • Clarifies any confusion or misunderstanding

    Learning Coach

    • Prompts the student to communicate with the teacher when needed
    • Answers minor questions and assists with assignments but does not resolve the problem or do the work on the student's behalf
    • Reassures the student when he or she is having trouble understanding a concept
    • Implements some learning activities that might help with areas of weakness
    Progress

    Teachers and Learning Coaches both play a key role in monitoring a student’s progress. The two are encouraged to stay in contact throughout the school year to discuss how the student is doing. Here are a few examples of tasks that teachers and Learning Coaches complete to properly monitor a student's progress:

    Online Teacher

    • Communicates frequently with the student to ensure that he or she understands the material before moving on
    • Contacts the Learning Coach to discuss the student’s progress
    • Tracks recent activity
    • Analyzes student performance
    • Works with the student and establishes a plan to tackle subjects that require more practice

    Learning Coach

    • Documents the student's attendance on a daily basis
    • Assists with organization and time management skills
    • Stays in contact with teacher for regular updates and suggestions
    • Ensures that the student is working at an appropriate learning pace

    Even though teachers and Learning Coaches play different roles, the student’s journey to success is a team effort!

    read more