Homeschooling vs. Unschooling vs. Travelschooling vs. Worldschooling vs. Hybrid Schooling
What is the difference between Homeschooling, Unschooling, travel schooling, World schooling, and a Hybrid School?
When considering an alternative educational method for your child, it can be challenging to understand the different approaches and types.
What is homeschooling vs. unschooling? How do homeschooling and hybrid schooling differ from each other? These are questions you might be asking yourself.
Understanding each type of homeschooling can help you feel more confident choosing the one that best suits your family and the learning experience you want for your child. That's why in this blog post, we will be covering the differences between:
homeschooling
unschooling
travel schooling
world schooling
hybrid schooling
Let's start by unpacking what it means to homeschool your children.
What Is Homeschooling?
Homeschooling is an umbrella term that ultimately means parents take responsibility for their child's education. We will cover several types within that umbrella term in the upcoming sections.
But there is a traditional form of homeschooling that we will cover here.
This regular homeschooling is a form of education where parents teach a homeschooling curriculum to their kids from home. Homeschool parents are responsible for scheduling and going through the lesson plans provided in the curriculum.
It's important to note that all homeschooling parents must follow state guidelines and laws.
Homeschooling Pros
It gives you the ability to have a flexible schedule.
Can tailor the teaching method individually to suit different learning styles.
Easily integrate the child's own interests into the learning materials.
It provides flexibility in how you can teach the materials.
Combining extracurricular activities, clubs, and community classes outside the home is easy.
Homeschooling Cons
For some parents, the time required to homeschool their children can become overwhelming.
You may have to teach lessons or subjects you aren't confident teaching.
Children may miss out on social experiences in a traditional public school setting.
Fortunately, there are ways you can overcome these challenges of homeschooling your children.
For example, if you need more confidence teaching a subject, consider partnering with another homeschooling family. Doing this will allow you to divide up the teaching responsibilities. Alternatively, you could hire a tutor or learning coach to help out with specific lessons.
If you are worried about your kids not getting social experiences while getting a home education, you can have them join extracurricular activities or volunteer. You won’t have less social experiences, just different ones than what is offered in a public school setting.
Now, let's move on to unschooling and compare homeschooling vs. unschooling.
What Is Unschooling?
An unschooling approach is a form of homeschooling based on the child's interests and done in the real world. It has also been called child-led learning, self-directed education, or self-directed learning.
Unlike homeschooling, unschooling doesn't require a homeschooling curriculum or set lesson plans. Instead, an unschooling parent is responsible for providing a learning environment that allows their children to learn through observation, experience, and exploration.
Even though unschooling is more child-led than homeschooling is, parents still must follow state laws for homeschooling their children.
Unschooling Pros
Allows children to learn at their own pace and explore their personal interests.
It allows children to be creative and think outside the box.
Things like creative thinking and problem-solving are encouraged.
Children can take control of their own education.
Unschooling Cons
Children might not learn crucial information since no set curriculum exists.
It may be challenging to track what your child is learning and if they are mastering specific skills.
To overcome these challenges, consider having your child work on projects that allow you to identify what skills they have learned.
Additionally, there are homeschooling curriculums and homeschooling materials tailored to unschoolers that you can use to supplement your child's learning.
Homeschooling vs. Unschooling
As you can see, homeschooling and unschooling have many distinct differences. Homeschooling is more structured and organized, while unschooling allows for freedom and creativity.
Ultimately, homeschooling vs. unschooling comes down to preference.
Another homeschooling term you might have heard of is travel schooling. Let's look at what this means next.
What Is Travel Schooling?
Travel schooling, also known as road schooling, is a homeschooling method that combines homeschooling with travel simultaneously. This method allows families to homeschool their children as they explore and create lasting memories.
Travel schooling also allows kids to learn about different cultures and environments as they travel around the country. They can visit national parks, historical sites, and cultural landmarks that coincide with their learning materials.
While most families do this by traveling around the United States in something like an RV, it can also be done while tent camping or staying in hotels, though this is less common.
Travel Schooling Pros
It allows you to have a flexible schedule while traveling.
Allows your family to travel all year if wanted.
It requires the same homeschooling curriculum you would use at home, perfect for families who don't want to travel all year.
It can provide educational experiences you wouldn't usually get while homeschooling in the same place.
Learning is hands-on and experienced firsthand.
It allows children to explore different places, meet new people, and try new things.
It provides a unique opportunity for families to bond and spend more time together.
Travel Schooling Cons
It can be challenging to keep up with homeschool lessons while traveling.
Children may miss out on the social experiences they would otherwise get from traditional schooling.
It can be expensive, depending on the type of travel you are doing.
Some ways you can stay on track with your homeschool lessons while on the road are homeschooling co-ops, support groups, and online homeschooling programs. Participating in these can also help your child stay connected to their friends and give you the support you need as a homeschooling parent.
What Curriculum Do You Need If You Are Travel Schooling?
You must follow your home state's curriculum and even the homeschooling laws. Please visit your state's homeschooling support organization to learn more about homeschooling laws.
Similar to travel schooling, you can also do world schooling.
What Is World Schooling?
World schooling is very similar to travel schooling. The only difference is that you will be traveling to different countries, unlike travel schooling, where you tend to stay in your own country.
Most families will often pick a country and stay there for an extended time, visiting its local attractions, homeschooling their children, and even homeschooling with other families.
World Schooling Pros
It allows you to travel the world while still providing a high-quality education to your children.
Requires the same homeschooling curriculum you will use at home. (Since most countries require you to spend a certain amount of time in your home country each year.)
It allows children to learn about different cultures, languages, and environments they would not have had access to at home.
World Schooling Cons
Keeping up with the curriculum can be difficult while traveling.
Children may feel isolated from friends and peers.
It can be expensive.
Similarly to travel schooling, some ways that you can stay on track with homeschool lessons while world schooling is homeschooling co-ops, homeschooling support groups, and online homeschooling programs.
Finding other world-schooling families to homeschool with can be beneficial as you travel around the world together. Doing this will allow you and your children to have friends and peers with the same homeschooling experiences as you.
What Curriculum Do You Need If You Are World Schooling?
Again, you will follow the curriculum that fits your home state's requirements and laws.
And lastly, there is hybrid schooling.
What Is Hybrid Schooling?
Hybrid schooling is a combination of homeschooling and traditional school. It combines online schooling with in-person hands-on learning experiences.
What makes hybrid schooling ideal for many families is that parents can still be heavily involved with their child's education without having to do all the teaching themselves. Furthermore, hybrid schooling gives children the structure and social interactions they may not get with a traditional homeschooling method.
With hybrid schooling, you will be part of a cohort or homeschool group meeting regularly at a designated location. The homeschool group will provide educational activities and assignments for your children to complete in person and online.
Hybrid Schooling Pros
It provides structure and social interaction that homeschooling may not offer.
It still allows children to learn at home with a flexible schedule.
Children can learn individually to suit different learning styles and interests.
Combining extracurricular activities, clubs, and community classes outside the home is easy.
Hybrid Schooling Cons
Requires a homeschool group or cohort to participate.
It can possibly cost more money than just doing a homeschooling curriculum, although there are hybrid programs that include the curriculum and can save you money. (Try HELLO Homeschool)
More scheduled than the traditional homeschooling method. (Though it is still incredibly flexible!)
Which Homeschool Method Is The Best?
While all of these options fall under the umbrella of homeschooling, there are several significant differences between each option.
The only similarity between them is that you must follow the homeschooling laws of your own state. Beyond that, homeschoolers have a lot of freedom to choose which homeschooling method will best suit their children and family.
Homeschooling is a very personal decision. The right fit for you and your family may differ from another homeschooling family. It's essential to do your research and explore all the options before making a decision.
With homeschooling becoming increasingly popular, there are a lot of resources out there to help you with homeschooling.
How Can Infinite Learning Academy Help You?
Here at Infinite Learning Academy, we have several options to help you and your family as you embark on this homeschooling journey.
Complete Homeschool Curriculums
We offer done-for-you homeschool curriculums for children of all ages, including elementary, middle school, and high school curriculums.
Singular Courses
In addition to the complete homeschool curriculums, we also offer one-off courses that you can use to supplement your curriculum.
Tutoring
Homeschooling will have its challenges for both you and your child. Our homeschool experts are here to help if you have questions or need advice.
Online Courses
To supplement your homeschooling with online learning, consider using our online homeschool cohorts. These online cohorts allow your children to meet other kids and get help from teachers whenever needed.
Hybrid Learning
Lastly, hybrid learning integrates traditional homeschooling, online learning, and in-person hands-on learning experiences.
Check out HELLO Homeschool that provides you with curriculum and interactive learning!
No matter which homeschooling style you pick, Infinite Learning Academy can help you.
Hopefully, this blog post has helped you better understand the homeschooling options available to you and your family.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact one of our expert educators!
