Five Ways to Simplify Your Homeschooling

December 4, 2018March 5, 2019 Eva Goldstein-Meola Blog, College, Homeschooling, Organization, Parenting, Philosophy and Outlook, Student Success, Technology accountability, Homeschooling, scheduling

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Open Tent Academy will be going on its third year as an all-inclusive consortium offering quality classes to your homeschooling children. Here at OTA we use the best technology available on the market, Jigsaw (virtual classroom) and Canvas (LMS), we hire teachers who are experts in their field, we make sure every single class is interactive and engaging and finally, we view your homeschooling child as our homeschooling child. Here are some of the ways we are here to simplify your homeschooling life.

1. Looking at Every Child’s Gifts Individually

Open Tent Academy is committed to offering classes that are academic challenging while realizing not every student will reach the academic standards in the same way and in the same time. Simply put, OTA is flexible.

OTA understands that every child has a unique set of gifts within them and we try to offer a variety of classes that meets all sort of learning styles. Additionally, OTA teachers are extremely flexible in adjusting whatever the parent needs to help the child be successful.

You will find over 150 choices of classes for grades 1 – 12 offered in 10-week, 20-week or 30-week classes throughout the school year! Choose what courses and instructors work best for your child! We have teachers who are top-notch and passionate about what they teach!

2. Teach your Child Accountability

Typically, homeschoolers get used to mom being both mom and teacher. It is easy for deadlines to be pushed back – all the time! Sometimes it is difficult for a student to fully gain the understanding of accountability is mom (or dad) is the person in authority.

As students get older, it is a good idea to have your child have another person in charge. Honestly, this prepares them for “real life”. Open Tent Academy can be your child’s “other person in charge.”

At OTA the teachers are caring and understanding. We explain expectations. We offer help. Additionally, at OTA, we have an amazing Learning Management System called Canvas. Canvas keeps tracks of all the student’s deadlines, class notes, assignments, quizzes and more. This will allow your child to learn accountability in a gently way! Every time a student logs in they see a “to do” list and can work their way down their work.

3. Take a Mommy Break from Homeschooling

On every single airline flight, the flight attendant states, “It is important to put your oxygen mask on first so that you are able to properly take care of your child’s.” This is a similar principal in life. Moms, you need to take care of yourself. If you are balancing too many plates – not only will they come crashing down – but you will have nothing left to give your child.

When you opt to sign up for an OTA online homeschooling class, you get to enjoy a short break from one subject (or if you register for more than one subject – you get a break from many subjects). You are NOT responsible for grading the papers, giving the quizzes/test, assigning projects etc. for that subject. You can sit back and relax. You know that you have registered for a class where the OTA instructor has your child’s best interest at heart. And while your child is “in class” you can grab a cup of coffee or hot tea and relax!

4. Preparing for College

I know that you can’t even begin to think about your child going off to college – but it will be here quicker than you know.

Do you know what an LMS is? Does your child? Do they know how to manipulate a LMS? An LMS is a Learning Management System. Within ten years, MOST of education will be via e-learning platforms. Today, approximately 90% of colleges already use an LMS. Additionally, today, many college core classes are delivered via virtual classrooms (yes, even if your child attends a college away from home). Does your child understand virtual classroom behavior and protocol? If you want your child to be ready, they need to understand how e-learning works.

Open Tent Academy uses the Canvas LMS from Instructure, which is found on many high school and college campuses today. You want your child to understand how to use a DASHBOARD or how to turn in their ASSIGNMENT via the LMS. Consider the online class at OTA a head start!

5. Controlling your Homeschool Schedule

We understand that your schedule is already full because of co-ops, lessons, sports, grocery shopping, appointments and more!

When you take an online class with OTA, you choose the classes when most convenient for you. Additionally, students can log into classes from various place via Smartphones or tablets…. they can be driving in cars, in the airport, on vacation, coffee shops, etc. Finally, all live classes are recorded allowing you the convenience of making up a class when needed.

Eva Goldstein-Meola is not only co-founder of Open Tent Academy, but an instructor as well as a former homeschooling mother. She has lived in New Jersey, Florida, Western Massachusetts, Northern Virginia and now resides just outside of Jerusalem. Eva holds a Master’s Degree as a Consulting Teacher of Reading and Writing, IEW certification and a Bachelor’s Degree as an Elementary Teacher. She has also been involved in education since 1986 as a Private Tutor, Teacher, Reading Specialist, Homeschooling Mother, Homeschooling Teacher and Business Owner of an Online Education Consortium.