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• Types of Schools

These cyber schools use a learning management system (LMS) to deliver course content to students, such as Blackboard, Moodle, Edmodo, Google Classroom, Microsoft teams, and D2L. Students use the LMS to access lessons or learning modules, which may be text-based or multimedia videos. They also use it to access assignments and tests, which they usually complete independently and on their own timetable.

Many online schools, especially at the secondary level, offer mostly independent learning. On this “correspondence” or “distance learning” model, students log in, select their courses, and earn credits on completion. They work largely or exclusively on their own, downloading asynchronous lessons, assignments, and tests, and working through the course material. Normally, they can do this on their own schedule or at least within a very flexible time period.  

Role of teachers

Teachers, in online schools, normally communicate with students through email or an LMS. They’ll typically set up clear expectations for the course regarding structure, deadlines, and more. They’ll also often grade student work and provide feedback on it.  

In some fully online schools, teachers play a more active role. For instance, they may communicate with students more regularly, as a class, in small groups, or individually. They may also hold regular virtual office hours, say, each week or even each day. 

Some teachers set up study and discussion groups and aim to promote student interaction and engagement in various other ways. They may also offer tutoring, special needs support, homework support, and other unique services.

Some online schools offer regular access to staff. They may even have one or more teachers or support staff “on-call” during certain days and times of the week to answer questions and address concerns.

One school, Scholars’ Hall At-Home Private School has a completely different model: it offers a fully synchronous learning environment at the primary level. Teachers are with students face-to-face throughout the entire day. They deliver lessons, promote interaction and discussion, and offer real-time feedback. Right now, though, this isn't the norm among online schools. 

Since different schools have different approaches, speak to those you’re seriously considering to learn exactly what they offer. This is a critical step in finding the right fit for your child.

Partly online schools

Some schools offer online courses and programs to supplement in-person learning. These schools have a physical campus but provide some form of online learning, the extent and type of which varies among schools. 

Some of these schools, though not all, emerged in response to COVID-19. And, while some will continue offering online learning when the pandemic subsides, others won’t. 

In addition to fully online courses, some of these schools offer what’s called “hybrid” or “blended” learning. Hybrid courses provide a combination of virtual and in-person learning. For instance, they may alternate between virtual and in-person learning each day or each week (as some schools have had to during the pandemic). These courses can have many benefits.

Many of these schools have a wide range of online courses. Others have a narrower selection. 

In either case, the courses can be delivered in three main formats.

• Synchronous: These courses offer exclusively or primarily face-to-face online learning. The teachers deliver live lessons and offer real-time feedback to students. Students can interact with the teacher and their peers during class discussions, breakout groups, and special activities. The aim is to offer the same experience as a traditional in-person school but through a virtual interface.
   
• Asynchronous: These types of courses don’t offer much if any real-time learning. Students log in and complete assignments and tests independently. The teacher doesn’t provide live lectures to students. Students may be able to communicate with the teacher or support staff through email or a learning management system (LMS) (sometimes even face-to-face), but typically minimal time is allotted to this. Some schools with these courses give students the opportunity to access teachers on a regular basis, such as through office hours, but this isn’t currently the norm. 
   
• Distance learning: These courses offer no face-to-face interaction with teachers, even virtually. Rather, students access course content through an LMS. This may include learning modules, assignments, and tests, which they complete independently, normally on their own schedule. The main role of the teacher is to grade student work and give them feedback on it. They may also be available through email or even virtual office hours.

Schools offering online learning use different platforms to deliver their course content. 

• For synchronous courses, visual interfaces include Zoom, Google Meet, and Skype. 
• Asynchronous and distance learning courses are often delivered through learning management systems such as Blackboard, Moodle, Edmodo, Google Classroom, Microsoft teams, and D2L.
• Some schools also use non-visual media like phones. 

Again, speak to specific schools to learn more about them, including exactly what kind(s) of online learning they offer.

Formats of online courses

Many schools with online learning have a broad scope of online courses. Others have a narrower selection to choose from. These courses are offered in various formats.

Synchronous 

These courses offer exclusively or primarily face-to-face online learning. The teachers provide live lessons and real-time feedback to students. Students can interact with the teacher and their peers during class discussions, breakout groups, and special activities. The aim is to offer the same experience as a traditional in-person school but through a virtual interface. 

Keep in mind, many synchronous courses aren’t entirely face to face. Some offer breakout groups where students work with their peers on a task or project, without the teacher. Others offer independent work periods where students can study for a test or work on a project or task. Students are also often given breaks in class in which they’re free to do what they’d like.

Questions to ask:

• How much face-to-face time do students have with the teacher? 
• What kinds of activities will students participate in without the teacher?

Asynchronous

These types of courses don’t offer much if any learning in real-time. Students log in and complete assignments and tests independently. The instructor does not teach or provide live lectures to students. Students will likely be able to communicate with the teacher through email, a learning management system, or sometimes even face-to-face, but this tends to be minimal. 

Some schools with these courses give students access to teachers on a regular basis, such as through office hours. Some also offer brief face-to-face meetings with teachers, either in groups or individually. And some promote interaction between students, for instance, through study or discussion groups (though these are rarely face-to-face).

Questions to ask:

• How does the teacher communicate with and give feedback to students?
• How do students access teachers?
• Is there any student-to-student interaction?

Distance learning 

Distance learning or correspondence courses offer no face-to-face interaction with teachers, even virtually. Instead, students access course content through a learning management system. This may include learning modules, assignments, and tests, which they complete independently, normally on their own timetable. 

The primary role of the teacher in these courses is to grade student work and give them feedback on it. They may also be available through email or even virtual office hours.

Distance learning courses are often provided at the secondary level. They offer mostly independent learning. Students log into the course management system, select their courses, and earn credits when completing them. This can sometimes be a way to supplement the education one receives at their main school.

Questions to ask:

• Do students work on their own timetable?
• Do you have a dedicated teacher for each course?
• How do students communicate with teachers and support staff?

Types of online learning platforms

Schools offering online learning use virtual platforms. These enable students to log into a live classroom (in synchronous courses), access course content, access and complete assignments and tests, and do many other things.

Schools offering online learning use a wide variety of virtual platforms. The platform used by a school will depend on the type(s) of courses it wants to deliver, among other things. Below are some of the most common examples.

• For synchronous courses, visual interfaces include Zoom, Google Meet, and Skype. 
• Asynchronous and distance learning courses are often delivered through learning management systems such as Blackboard, Moodle, Edmodo, Google Classroom, Microsoft teams, and D2L.
• Some schools also use non-visual media like phones.

Questions to ask about online learning in school

It’s important to speak with school officials to get a sense of whether any school is the right fit for your child. This is especially true if you’re looking at a fully or partly online school.

Below are some crucial questions to ask.

General

• Are you an online independent school?
• Are you a distance learning school?
• Do you offer online learning (or cyber learning) or online classes?
• Are you accredited to a private and independent online education?

Registration and scheduling

• How do students register for courses? Is it one-by-one or as a group or stream?
• Is registration first-come, first-served?
• Are courses flexible, meaning students can register at any time and they have no cut-and-dried start and end dates?
• Or, do courses follow a strict schedule, in which all students begin and end at the time? If so, is this also true for assignments, tests, and other course requirements?

Format of learning

• Do your courses offer distance (no face-to-face time with the teacher), asynchronous (minimal face-to-face time with the teacher), or synchronous learning (lots of face-to-face time with the teacher)? Do you have different approaches for different courses?
• Do you use a learning management system like Blackboard, Moodle, or Google Classroom? Do you use a visual interface like Zoom, Skype, or Google Meet?
• How is course material delivered? Do you offer learning modules, and if so, in what format (e.g., text-based, video, multimedia, etc.)? 

Teacher involvement

• Do you have at least one dedicated teacher for each course? If not, how is the course supervised/managed?
• What roles do teachers/support staff play?
  1. Do they provide live lectures/lessons? 
  2. Do they promote student interaction? 
  3. Do they guide students explicitly through the curriculum? 
  4. Do they merely grade work and provide feedback?

Communication

• How do students communicate with teachers and vice versa? Email? Visual interface? Learning management system?
• Do teachers have regular office hours? How are they otherwise available to answer questions?
• How do teachers provide students with feedback on their work?
• Are there any teaching staff on-call?
• Can parents communicate with teachers, and if so, how?

To learn more, read our article on questions to ask online learning schools.

The pros and cons of online learning in schools

There are both benefits and concerns with online learning in schools. Below, we outline some of the main points to consider. 

Pros

• Convenience: No need for drop-offs or pick-ups. Frees up your schedule. Your child learns from the comfort of their own home.
• Continuity: Your child can continue their education when issues prevent in-person schooling. Especially critical during the recent pandemic.
• Alternative medium: Provides another way to learn and acquire knowledge. Varies the delivery of curricula. Some kids do especially well online and are a good fit.
• Physical disability: If your child has physical issues that make in-person school challenging or impossible, online schooling is a good alternative.

Cons

• Interaction: No in-person interaction, which is crucial for many kids’ social, emotional, and sometimes, academic development. This can also make school less engaging.
• Physical activity: Tends to be less physical activity. Often there are fewer opportunities for recess and free-play time. Teaching gym and physical education can be a challenge online.
• Screen time: Increases the amount of time kids spend in front of screens. 
• Monitoring and supervision: It can sometimes be difficult for teachers and staff to monitor what kids are doing online. Depending on the age of your child, you may have to provide them with supervision.

To learn more, read our article on the pros and cons of online learning in school.

The evolution and controversies of online learning

Online and virtual learning involves integrating technology into the classroom. This can include virtual learning that’s completely or mostly independent of teacher involvement (e.g., synchronous or distance learning) to learning that involves any form of technology. 

Online learning, and the technology it depends on, is rapidly evolving. It can enhance students' education in many innovative, exciting, challenging ways. 

Using technology in the classroom to provide a virtual learning experience is no simple matter, though. It raises a number of complex questions private and public schools must address.

• How should virtual be integrated into the classroom, if at all?
• How valuable and practical are virtual classes and programs?
• Can most teachers competently integrate technology in the classroom?
• How will virtual learning affect student’s engagement, knowledge retention, learning and social skills, and more?
• What are the pros of virtual learning?
• What are the cons of virtual learning?
• What are the budgetary constraints?
• Are there potential equity concerns, and if so, what are they?

Schools and educators have a wide range of views on the value of virtual and distance education. Some dismiss it as a distraction, while others entertain the possibility of virtual learning as a complete replacement for all instruction (and some schools offer this). And, of course, there are many views in between these two extremes.

To learn more, read our article on the evolution and controversies of online education.

Helpful resources on online learning

• Schools: We list both full- and part-time high schools, middle schools, elementary schools which provide online learning. It also includes schools with online learning in Ontario (such as Toronto), BC (such as Vancouver), Quebec, Alberta, and the Maritimes provinces. 
• Camps: You can also find online virtual camps and programs to keep your child engaged all year round.
• Special programs: Some schools offer online private and group tutoring programs. And, some provide online learning during the summer.
• Authoritative articles: Learn at home (Ontario.ca), What is online school/blended learning? (Understood.org), Strengthening online learning (OECD)