As the world rapidly transitions to more online than in-person communications, many schools and companies have switched to virtual platforms for classes and meetings. Most parents and students around the globe have already acclimated to this change, but some are still sceptical about adopting this new method of communication. So, here’s how you can decide for or against online K-12 schooling for your child.

Pros
There are several advantages to opting for an online way of schooling for K–12 students. Here’s why this method is beneficial for your child’s education:

• Classes can be easily accessed
  One of the most positive factors of online learning is that this form of education makes accessing class much easier for your child. Having such freedom makes for better learning and provides a conducive environment for being focused. No more issues of reaching class late due to external issues like distance and traffic. If you have a fast and stable Internet connection and are able to spare a computer for your child, getting them enrolled in a good online learning institution without having to leave the comfort of the house becomes very simple.
• Schedules provide more flexibility
  As opposed to the old approach of schooling, online learning allows students to attend classes without adjusting to the schedule of the rest of the family. Through the online schooling approach, your child has an choice to attend pre-recorded classes whenever they are most comfortable in the house without having to move around your personal schedule to keep an eye on them. This way, you won’t have to postpone your work commitments and daily chores when presiding over your child’s education and making sure they aren’t getting distracted. This flexibility also allows you to be more present in their education and helps them stay accountable and productive.
• Learning pace can be adjusted
  Society has lately begun to realize that every students cannot learn at the same pace and efficiency. So, adapting to each student’s learning speed is important to make sure they have grasped what is said in class. Children in a physical classroom aren’t always able to keep up with their peers when participating in learning activities. And such a disparity can be quite demotivating for them and take a toll on their self-image. Through online learning, your kids will be able to learn at their own pace without feeling the pressure of keeping up with their peers or keeping up with their teacher. This allows them to learn more effectively and keeps their learning environment stress-free.
• Cost-effective learning
  Online schooling is much more lenient on your wallet than brick-and-mortar schooling. Since many resources are needed for learning are eliminated because of online methods of assignment submission and examination, the overall expenses that are usually faced in a typical school year are reduced. Instead of investing in a bunch of notebooks, stationary and loose sheets of paper, you are only required to invest in a fast Internet connection and a good computer, if you don’t already have them. Today, these resources are already available in most homes, which saves a lot of money in the long run.

Cons
Even though an online approach to K-12 schooling seems to be largely beneficial in the current circumstances, there are some obvious disadvantages to opting for this method. Some of them are,

• Lack of in-person socialization
  One of the biggest drawbacks of online education is that it reduces the amount of socialization a child gets to participate in during the day. In terms of virtual schooling, children rarely get to interact with their classmates, whereas in the traditional method, children get an ample amount of time to mingle and play with their classmates during classes as well as breaks. Such interactions automatically improve overall social skills and confidence in children. As a result of online schooling, more children will have a difficult time in taking the lead and interacting with people outside of their close circle of family and friends.
• Having self-discipline becomes critical
  When your child is learning in a traditional classroom setting, they are usually under the keen eye of their teacher, which compels them to pay attention to their schoolwork and remain productive. However, when your child is attending school from home, numerous distractions arise that may halt their progress in school and take a toll on their attention span. Having the freedom to take a break whenever they can may often result in the student slacking in their schoolwork. Time management and parental involvement is necessary to ensure effective learning online.
• The right hardware must be available
  Two of the most basic and important factors needed to take advantage of online learning are an Internet connection and a computer. And even if you have both hardware, your child will won’t be as productive if your connection is slow and your computer is outdated in terms of hardware and software. This issue can sometimes mean that parents have to make a massive investment in buying the right technological equipment for their child to be able to get the best quality of education.
• The institution’s integrity can be in question
  These days, due to the fact that starting an online learning institution has been made so easy because of technology, the quality of education provided by these new and amateur institutions can be questionable at times. When enrolling in an online learning institution, it is important to do a complete background check on the institution to make sure that the school is fully accredited by the right bodies. This will prevent you from being victim to any fraudulent activity by bogus institutions.