# 2 : RELATIONSHIP Will your child be able to develop a relationship with his or her teacher and classmates ? We are relational creatures , made in God ’ s image , designed to exist in a community . Many parents are concerned about the isolative nature of online education . One solution is to find an online school with live courses , teachers who invest in the students , and an administration that values parents . These relational components create a community for the student and family .
4 FACTORS
TO CONSIDER
IN
WHEN NAVIGATING THE WORLD OF ONLINE EDUCATION
By Gretchen Pike
this season of education , more choices are available than ever before . One growing in popularity and availability is online education . A quick internet search will yield information for hundreds of virtual schools . How do you know which to choose ? Which will support you as you raise your family ? Here are a few ideas to consider as you explore online education .
# 1 : WORLDVIEW Worldview is the most critical factor when considering education for your child . Education should complement and support the family and the church in your child ’ s education . The educator ’ s worldview — whether in a traditional classroom or online — will permeate everything your child learns . If the online program you are considering is on-demand , what books and materials are used ? Just because there is no active teacher does not mean your child is exempt from the worldview of those who wrote the books and provided the materials .
# 3 : TECHNOLOGY Screen time can be a concern for many families . A quick search of statistics yields sobering information about how much time young people spend in front of screens . Look for a school that provides and encourages the use of physical textbooks and books . Hands-on science labs , math demonstrations , and art projects other than digital design should be part of the curriculum and are crucial for student engagement . These and other activities promote opportunities for creative and critical thinking necessary for every student .
# 4 : VISION What is the vision of the school ? Does it end with supplying the student with information , or is the school invested in impacting your child ’ s life for eternity ? Is the school interested in creating clones or critical thinkers ? Does the vision of the school match the vision God has given you for your child ?
As you research your options , pray for discernment and wisdom . Read the school ’ s literature and talk with the administration . Ask questions that reveal the hearts and minds of those who will impact your child .
Should you desire an online option with live , engaging classrooms designed to equip your child with a holistic biblical education so they can be virtuous cultural change agents , consider iLumenEd Online Christian Education . Learn more at iLumenEd . org . ■
Gretchen Pike has over 25 years of experience in the classroom and as an administrator in faith-based schools and is the administrator of iLumenEd Online Academy . She has degrees in Education , Teaching English as a Foreign Language , and Intercultural Communication from Cedarville University and Columbia International University . Gretchen considers every classroom a mission field on which children may receive excellent academic instruction rooted in sound biblical principles while being loved with the love of Christ .
46 THE RENEWANATION REVIEW