My Say on Blended Learning Vs Homeschooling

My say on Blended Learning Vs Homeschooling.Have you enrolled your kids this school year? It is truly the digital era when it comes to education. The use of internet is a must these days. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it affects the lifestyle of every person globally. Social distancing and wearing face mask is always observed. The social gathering was prohibited. Face-to-face class is not allowed while the public health situation is at risk.

 

The last term of the school year 2019-2020 was a challenge to every school. As a parent with children studying in a regular school, it was a big adjustment to fully finish the remaining school lesson and activities with distance learning program set by the school. With distance learning, the guardian or parent has a bigger role supervising their students. After that experience, it has an impact on me on how the schooling or education of my children would be this coming school year.

Would it be blended learning or homeschooling?

As I read the process, class flow, and different programs about blended learning, I was overwhelmed. Of course, this is really something new to most of the parents. Still the majority of the learners here  in the Philippines are accustomed to a regular physical class or the traditional schooling. I reach out to some of my fellow co-parents and we are on the same boat challenge with this new setup. We keep our spirits high that we can make it work and finish what we have to comply with the school guidelines. According to the Department of Education, they are currently working to transition the modality of teaching from the conventional face-to-face learning to blended learning, which is a combination of online distance learning and in-person delivery of learning materials to the homes of the learners. Different schools have come up with their versions of blended learning, distance learning or online classes most especially the private schools.

Moreover, I am not an expert about blended learning or homeschooling. I just collate some essential information about the said topic that could be helpful to my readers.

Blended Learning Vs Homeschooling

Types of Learning/ Education
Concerns:	Blended Learning	Homeschool
Education Provider	School	Parent will have to choose their Homeschool Provider.
	Tips: Ask the existing school for their program.	Tips: Look for a homeschool provider that  is accredited by DepEd and near to your location so
		that if there will be an enrichment/socialization group activities for the kids,
		kids may easily participate in the event.
		The Learning Place,  Homeschool Global
Teacher	School Teacher with the aid of parent/guardian	Parent /Guardian/ Homeschool partner  will supervise the
	who will guide and prepare the students to	daily instruction,whether it is freestyle homechool or by the modules
	be connected to online class or by using modules.	provided by the homeschool provider.
Way of Teaching/	* Students will attend live online classes	* Parent/guardian will follow the Homeschool Program.  It is a system of
Class Flow	with their teachers and classmates  or	compliant curricula and mechanisms to support the parent and the
	will work on modules at their own pace.	homeschooled student.
	* Teacher will teach online.	* The parent/ guardian have the option to choose for a flexible way of teaching or
		personalized education programs.
		* Homeschool providers have Learning Modules/books and educational programs.
Requirements/	School Textbooks, computer/gadget, Computer Apps	* The parent/ guardian have the option to choose which modules to use,
Tools	reliable internet connection, printer, headset,	the books and other educational resources to use.
	learning modules	Computer/ internet/ Printer
Schedule	* 3-5 days a week depending on school’s schedule	* The parent will set the learning schedule. The homeshool have a  flexible
	* Have classes that last for 30-60 minutes per subject	and personalized time schedule for as long as the student meet
	depending on grade level	the learning set goals.
	Have breaks for snacks and lunch
Daily Computer	Typical screentime estimate	Flexible. The parent may set for a lesser computer screen time and more on
Screentime Estimate	o 3 subjects – Preschool – 2 hours	worksheet activities or working projects such as science experiments or more on book reading.
	o 4-5 subjects – Grades 1-3 – 4 to 5 hours
	o 6-8 subjects – Grade 4-10 – 6 to 8 hours
Fees	Regular Tuition Fee + Books	* Tuition Fee ranging from 18,000 to 35,000
	Most schools deduct the miscellaneous fees	* Most Homeschool providers offer a good discount when you enroll two
	* Typical Private school tuition fee ranging	or more of your children.
	from 15,000 to 100, 000
	* Some offer discount for two or more of children you enroll
Advantage/s	* The teacher will be the one to prepare, teach	* The parent/guardian have the option for a flexible and personalized way
	the lessons, and compute grades.	of preparing and teaching the child.
	* Less time for parents with grade computation because	* The parent/ guardian personally knows how to grade her student/child
	the teacher does it.	based on their learning set goals.
		* The Homeschool Provider will provide assistance in acquiring Student’s Learner’s Reference
Educational Record	The School will process.	number (LRN) from DEPED and other DEPED related records depending on the inclusions of
		a  homeschool provider.

As a result of this Blended Learning Vs Homeschooling comparison, my husband and I were already decided on which to pursue this school year. As a hands-on mom, I was encouraged to enroll my children to a homeschool provider. Thankful also with the help of other moms who shared about their homeschool journey. Special mention to Ms. Teresa Dumadag of https://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/. You can read some info and tips about homeschooling.

Whatever type of learning you choose, it is still up to the parent or guardian on how to nurture the learners. Let us focus more on the character building and good values so that they may grow up to be good citizens one day.