Has anyone used online classes such as Potter's School for high school? My husband, Isaiah McPeak, cofounder of Ethos Debate Publications, taught one online class last year and his company is offering several more this year. We are interested in your experiences with online education. If you have used Potter's School or another similar program, what did you like/dislike about the program? As a homeschool parent, what subjects, teacher-student ratio, live video teaching time, price range, etc, are you looking for in an online class? Any comments will be much appreciated. Thanks!
HOnestly, we looked into it but decided against it. We homeschool to choose our own curriculum and not have to go by someone's standards or views. The cost is outrageous for most programs as well.
I think the fact that TPS charges so much per course is a big turn-off. I could get so much more by purchasing curriculum myself. In addition, I don't have any desire to be accountable to anyone else as far as my son's education goes. My oldest did an online school when she was in 11th grade and frankly, there was very little about it that resembled homeschool. It was more like a classroom teacher minus the classroom. We only lasted one semester and it was free, so I can't ever imagine actually paying for that type of thing.
I have only used free ones like University of California - College Prep for supplemental since it has videos and my son can do some on his own work. We skimmed the one on US history. I do see a need for this in the homeschooling world. I think some highschool students want the outside recommendations but I know a lot of parents in my group don't like the "checking in" at a certain time. The feeling of being "in public school" if you will. I do feel like this type of school uniquely addresses two audiences: 1. The highschooler who being homeschooled from the beginning feels indpendent and wants the structure. 2. The first or second year homeschool highschooler being pulled out of ps for the first year because of a lack of academic rigor. I do not feel it is an advantage for the parent who has 1. student in high school that was pulled out because they feel they are lagging behind and feel the pressure to "catch up". This type of school would only, imho, make that student lose all confidence in learning. 2. a student that does not want to take a full four year schedule unless there was CLEP prep classes added to this 1:1 teaching time. I see that as an advantage for the highschooler.
Our oldest did Florida Virtual School for one year. She hated it as did I. I have heard of homeschool kids liking it, but I will never do it again.
Don't be put off. Admittedly, some schools have no clue how to run an online course and they truly are awful (and expensive). When a course is well built and run well, however, I find them even better than an on-site classroom experience. One of the keys is interaction. Another is having a great instructor. And the best instructor is usually the parent!