Now that the world has been rapidly moving toward newer technology and innovative industries and products, it’s time to rethink how children’s education will be shaped for the future.
Gone are the days when children had to be sent to traditional schools to receive the best kind of education.
According to statistics, nearly 48% of parents are interested in learning about newer forms of educational programs for their children.
So, if you’re a student or a parent who wants to know different non-traditional learning paths, then this think piece is just right for you!
1. Homeschooling
Homeschooling is perhaps the most famous non-traditional method of learning for children. This is when parents choose to educate their children at home instead of sending them to a school or college.
One of the biggest advantages of homeschooling children is that it allows for a more personalized form of learning, where the child can easily learn at his or her pace instead of trying to catch up with the class.
As a student, if you’re not happy with how traditional schools work or you have a major concern at home, such as an ailing family member or financial issues that don’t allow you to attend a traditional school, then homeschooling can be a great option.
2. Unschooling
Unschooling is regarded as a subset of homeschooling that has a more flexible and child-led approach to education.
Here, students learn through self-directed exploration and pursue subjects or extracurricular activities in which they’re most interested.
Unschooling doesn’t have a strict syllabus. Rather, it believes that students learn naturally through everyday experiences.
Parents trust their children’s curiosity and inquisitiveness, which leads them to learn about new topics. Unschooling helps students nurture their thinking and problem-solving skills because children choose what they want to learn and how they want to learn it.
3. Online School
Online schools have become more and more popular since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier, schools had to conduct online classes during the pandemic, but now, there are top high schools that conduct their entire courses through video calls and online platforms.
The best thing about online learning is that it has made education accessible and affordable for people all over the world.
So, even if there’s a school system or course halfway across the world, you can be a part of it through online classes.
Many credible websites can even hook you up with the best online high school, along with mentorship programs. As a student, you can choose a mentor based on your academic and extracurricular interests. They will support you in your daily studies and help you stay updated with all subjects while offering key knowledge regarding your interests.
4. Blended Learning
Blended learning is a combination of both online and offline forms of education. Here, students can get accustomed to a wide range of exposures because they’re learning both traditional forms of physical classrooms as well as the comfort and flexibility that comes with online learning.
But blended learning isn’t just a digitized version of a conventional classroom. It’s a well-thought-out model that helps students control their learning pace.
Blended learning has become popular among families and parents who want their kids to interact with other students but also learn about the latest forms of technology and development.
5. Learning Pods
Learning pods are small, parent-organized groups that give a newer perspective to traditional schools and education systems.
Often, learning pods can be combined with traditional school settings, where small groups of children sit together with their parents and discuss curriculum-related or other topics. These groups can also be facilitated by tutors and mentors.
If you’re looking for an experienced mentor who will oversee the learning pods, you can check out various websites that will give you a full list of such professionals.
Learning pods facilitate collaborative learning along with proper peer interaction because the learning groups are kept small.
6. Alternative Higher Education
Today, higher education has also branched out into different forms, with more and more non-traditional programs being added to the curriculum.
For example, if you’re interested in vocational courses or apprenticeship programs, then different higher education platforms will give you both online and offline training.
Young students have started appreciating the importance of extracurricular or unconventional forms of higher education, which is why these diverse forms of higher education help students align their goals and plans well ahead.
This can also include working professionals, students with financial constraints, and students living in remote areas.
Conclusion
Now that you know the different types of unconventional education methods, it’s time to choose the one that works best for you. So, get in touch with an educational platform or a teacher who can guide you well here!
