5 Online Resources to Use When Homeschooling a Teenager

By Oli Kang

The world around us is changing at an accelerated pace, supported by new technologies that change the way we see and perceive information. Sadly, the educational system in most countries doesn’t have the resources and/or the necessary flexibility to keep up.

We still subject our children to the same learning methods designed to blend the unique aspects of each individual into a pre-defined mold. As a result, more and more parents pull the plug on the public education system and enroll their kids in homeschooling.

For some, the choice is made early on. For others, it may come later in their child’s school career. But is this the right decision? Since not everyone has access to (or can afford) private tutors, will your child get the necessary education at home?

As a parent who is new to homeschooling, it’s natural to have doubts. But, due to the plethora of resources available online (for free or at affordable rates), anyone can become a tutor for their kids. And, to prove our point, below we listed five amazing online resources recommended by specialists.

#1:  Home School Legal Defense Association

Many parents fear they may be in breach of local laws when they homeschool their children. While this form of education is legal in most countries around the world, it’s best to be up to date with the current laws and regulations.

For this, visit hslda.org/hs/international, find your country, and read the available information. The Home School Legal Defense Association is a nonprofit of lawyers that provide legal details and representation for homeschoolers, whether you need help dealing with your local school administrator or transitioning from high school to college.

#2: Reviews of Homeschool Curriculums

There are lots of available curriculums and it can be difficult to know which one is best for your children. Not to mention that, if you have more than one kid of various ages, you will have to consider different curriculums that fit each child’s individual needs.

So, to avoid getting lost in a sea of materials and wasting your hard-earned money on a trial and error system, visit a site like CathyDuffyReviews.com. Here, you’ll find unbiased and reliable reviews on hundreds of curriculum options, categorized by subject and grade level.

#3: eLearning Platforms

Online learning is the next big thing in today’s day and age. Lots of teens and adults use eLearning platforms to sharpen their skills or expand their knowledge. These platforms provide information using different media channels (text, video, sound) but some also offer access to specialists and teachers who can help students by answering questions and providing guidance.

For homeschooling, there are online Accredited Education Courses, but you may also want to try specialized classes such as programming or business management. The good news is that there are plenty of good eLearning platforms that can be used by anyone, regardless of age and occupation.

#4: Homeschooling Blogs

While it sounds like a fantastic bonding opportunity, homeschooling can be taxing on both parents and children. So, if you feel you’re fighting against the current, it helps to know you are not the only one experiencing frustration and doubts.

By following some of the most popular homeschooling blogs, you get to understand the experience better and know what to expect. You also learn how to deal with various situations and have support in this journey, from other parents in your position.

Here are three of the blogs we recommend for parents of homeschooling teens:

  • BlogSheWrote – Heather Woodie is a homeschooling mother of four children ages 20 to 13. Formerly a high school science teacher, she loves to encourage families in embracing the independent and authentic nature of homeschooling as a way of living.
  • A Better Way to Homeschool – Here, you get to read the thoughts and practices of Bekki Sayler, a homeschooling blogging mama of five sons. Yep, five. They range in age from 13-25. Her blog focuses on character, learning ideas, resources and family.
  • TheHomeScholar Blog – A veteran homeschool mom, Lee Binz’s mission is to help parents homeschool their high schoolers with an eye toward college admission, scholarships, and preparation for life. On her blog she offers a daily dose of wisdom, advice, encouragement, and more.

Homeschooling parents can also use homeschool hashtags to follow social media accounts that contain a lot of useful information or to find discussion groups, resources, advice, and more.

#5: Specialized Online Platforms

In a world where technology is always present, kids could use skills that fit in this area. This is especially true for teenagers, who have a different understanding of how technology works. So, make sure to give them the chance to test their coding or web designing skills by using online platforms that offer this type of courses (Codeacademy.com is a fantastic resource for this).

However, if your kids are not technologically-inclined, there are other skills they could learn for their future careers. Luckily, there are lots of online tools that can help kids with everything from learning basic piano playing to picking up a second language.

Finally, there are online platforms that offer access to courses held by teachers from some of the best colleges in the world (for free!). So, stay curious, and always look for new ways to challenge your students!

About the Author:
Oli is a working mum who has a passion for teaching and all things educational. With a background in marketing, Oli manages the digital channels and content at Courses.com.au
https://www.linkedin.com/company/courses-com-au
https://www.facebook.com/courses.com.au

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