Homeschooling Resources at Your Fingertips

Five Things To Love About Online Learning

by Jessica Parnell | Oct 28, 2014 | 2 min read

When it comes to technology in the homeschool, I have to confess I am not always a fan. As a homeschooling mother of two boys, establishing a perfect balance with between computer use, misuse and abuse has at times seemed to be a thorn in my flesh. Coming from my background in public education as both a teacher and administrator, I saw far too often the teaching of computer skills in isolation from meaningful content or used simply to drill test-taking skills.

However, I understand my children are part of a digital age where incredible software applications rest in the palm of their hands, so when an opportunity to use computer technology to enhance their learning is a natural fit to our homeschool program, I choose to embrace it. Live online courses are a terrific homeschool option because they present students with a purpose for integrating technology into content area studies while providing real world models for learning.

Bridgeway Academy’s course offerings are broad. Think “Kitchen Chemistry” and “Architecture with Brick Building” for the youngest students, “Solar System” and “Creative Writing” for the middle schoolers, and “Myths & Legends” and “Web Design” for those high school age, just to give a sampling. Online learning became a great vehicle for my children to dive deeply into subjects I would hesitant to approach on my own.

Five reasons I love Student Learning Labs at Bridgeway Academy:

  1. EXPERT TEACHING: What do I know about robotics or high school chemistry? (If you guessed almost nothing, you’re right!). Online learning became a great vehicle for my children to dive deeply into subjects I would hesitate to approach on my own, even with my teaching background.
  2. INDEPENDENT LEARNING: My boys have learned the value of time management and what it means to be accountable to someone other than their mother. Priceless!
  3. INTEGRATION OF REAL WORLD SKILLS: Far beyond just word processing – presentations, projects and work within the virtual classroom help them become better public speakers, mesh technology and their own creativity, and learn the same skills required by businesses in terms of working in a collaborative, virtual environment.
  4. VALIDATION: It is good for both my children and me to have evidence of success that extends beyond the walls of my home. Bridgeway Academy is accredited and the teachers are certified, so success in a learning lab builds confidence in them and provides assurance our homeschool is accomplishing its goals.
  5. TIME: (Dare I say it?) While they are enjoying attending class, I have a moment to grab a cup of coffee (or two) and fold some laundry and correct some of their papers.

Want to know more about Bridgeway Academy’s live classes for students in grades one through twelve? I would encourage you to participate in our upcoming Student Learning Lab webinar where you can meet our teaching staff and get a quick overview of the courses we offer.

This live event will be held Thursday, November 6th at 10:00 am Eastern Time. Just for attending, you will get a special bonus savings code towards the purchase of any one or more of our Student Learning Labs. This event is open to everyone, so feel free share this invitation with your homeschooling community.
Register now!

Jessica Parnell
Hello everyone! I’m Jessica Parnell — mom, homeschool evaluator, teacher, and CEO of Bridgeway Academy. In my 20+ years of experience as a homeschool mom and evaluator, I have had the privilege of meeting homeschoolers that take a variety of approaches to their education. It is their many stories and successes that inspire me in my own homeschooling and I love to pass on the knowledge that I have gained from them to other homeschooling families. The one constant that always remains true is that there’s no such thing as a “cookie cutter child.” Each child is fearfully and wonderfully made and as a result, learns and functions differently. It’s our job to ensure that we’re raising each child to fulfill their individual purpose and when we can teach in a way that inspires them, we are on our way to homeschool success. When I’m not writing or teaching my children, I like to ski, write and participate in triathlons. I graduated from Kutztown University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Masters in English and I am currently pursuing a degree in Neuroleadership.
https://homeschoolacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/icon-Personalized-Education-.svg
Personalized Education Like No Other!
https://homeschoolacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/quil-icon.svg
Check Out Our Most Recent Posts