Distance Education/Home schooling

[dragonsgirl]

Does anyone have any tips, warnings or suggestions on this.  How it worked or didnt work for you or someone you know.  This is probably this biggest factor we have to weigh in with our decision.  Our kids are almost 18 and finished school probably wont come with us or not the whole time anyway, 16 in year 11 at school and struggles  with her school work to the point she doesnt like school, twins are 10 in year 5 one of them is very smart and will do home schooling no problem at all one is intellectually impaired and is years behind.  I truly think the hands on approach with them will benefit them far more than just being in a classroom and they will get so much life experience.  Dont get me wrong 16 year old wont stop her schooling I just think her subjects will be easier for her without peer pressure.  Looking forward to your honest comments.

[Pauly]

I know a couple of parents who home school because their kids are not suited to the usual school room for whatever reason. I think if your going to do it you must be dedicated, if you can be dedicated then go for it.

[Kit_e_kat9]

We were "home schooled" on our way around Australia.  Ma N Pa asked our teachers and school what we needed to learn while we were on the road to keep up with studies for when we got back, and a learning pack was provided for us.  I still have no idea on Pittmans Shorthand, but I got alot more history than was required, just by visiting places and also dads keen interest.  I did rather well on my grades in Grade 10.  Ensure you put time aside each day for them to complete what is required or they will fall behind.  If you have difficulties with the program yourself, go into the nearest school and seek advice.  Ask your local school if the kids (and yourself for that matter) can email a teacher for guidance along the way.  Your children will learn far more on the road, than in a classroom, but it'll be a different type of learning.  

You have to be dedicated to their learning for this to work though.

Kit_e

[duggie]

Hi, Not sure what your on about, but school of the air is the best education system I have ever seen. Every thing is laid out step by step. cheers duggie

[coffs camping]

My experience isn't personal but I know families who home school their children because mainstream schools and students have not suited their particular needs. They are very very happy with home schooling. Ones learning has been accelerated and he will sit the HSC a year early. I believe it is very time intensive for the schooling parent but also very rewarding. I also believe that the curriculum can be applied far more practially (eg weights and measures in the home).

The one major concern that I have heard is the lack of socialisation because children are not mixing with other children. however their kids go to church youth groups and play team sports to compensate.

I hope this helps,

J

[Natm75]

Hiya there,
My daughter is starting year 6 this year with S.I.D.E (school of isolated and distance education) this seems a bit different from homeschooling as she still has a teacher in Perth and the school sets the curriculum.
This keeps the kids in line with the correct year and the school provides all of the usual texts and resources they would get in a classroom (by post and on-line).
Its definitely the go for us, I have several cousins doing it and both they & the kids love it. 
Not that I'm an expert because I'm just starting too but it seem like more of a tutoring role to keep them on track and less of the grunt work..like lesson planning. Which suits me, more time to help and play and less of the slog. 

The contact I have had with my daughters teacher and school has filled me with confidence too, they seem fantastic and have been extremely helpful. The best bit is that they have tailored a learning plan to suit my daughters learning needs, something she would never get at a regular school competing with 30 other kids for help.

We are super keen to get on the road (3 weeks and counting) and I have complete faith that my daughters education will be even better for the experience. 

I'm not sure who covers this in Qld but I will attach the link to the Perth School, it might have some info that will help in your decision..
http://www.side.wa.edu.au/index.html

Happy Travels

[Natm75]

PS. SIDE also includes SOTA (school of the Air) so Duggie's recommendation kind of shines on them too 


and a little excerpt from their site in case you were thinking it was only for country kids - we are already enrolled as travellers :

Who can enrol

School aged students are eligible to apply for enrolment if they are:

    * home based/geographically isolated/children of itinerant workers/referrals
    * travellers – Australia/overseas.

[SteveandViv]

We also went through this before we went away and traveled. In the end distance ed was the best fit. SOTA is not so suited to travelling but for those re are staying remote as we have up here NW Kimberly etc. With distance ed you get all you works packs in the amount you outline in where you will be in say 3 weeks from now where there is a post office. You have a dedicated teacher and can call them at any time as needed. The hardest part was setting aside time to do the work as the kids would rather be playing. As for the social scene, well they founds friends very where we went so that didn't matter much in the end