Welcome to NARA Education
What is Virtual Schooling?
WHAT IS
VIRTUAL SCHOOLING?
Education is evolving to keep up with our world changing at a pace hard to keep up with. In order to thrive in this world, we need to use the technology that got us there in the first place to our advantage, and there is no better example of that than getting an education through virtual schooling.
Even though it seems like virtual schooling came on the scene in 2020 with the Covid-19 Pandemic, education through virtual schooling actually has its roots back in the 1990s when computers and the internet became more easily accessible to people. This was just the beginning with only a few professional development courses available, but the concept caught on, resulting in college degrees being completed fully online, and then in the 2010s, K-12 programs were even being offered fully online.
But how can something like preschool through secondary education be effectively taught online? The experience is so much greater than just the content being taught, it is and so reliant on developing social interaction and critical thinking skills. At NARA Education, we want to show the power of virtual schooling through our revolutionary virtual school technology because children in areas of poverty have no other opportunity for an education.
Education through virtual schooling is still an amazing education that can lead to an amazing future.
What is Virtual Schooling?
Virtual schooling is an education that is completely delivered over the internet and can be accessed from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. At least, this is the most common form that it has taken today and the definition that we work with at NARA Education.
Education through virtual schooling has evolved from the adults only professional development courses, to traditional schools offering extra advanced classes online in addition to regular in person attendance, to college degrees online, to all levels of schooling starting in preschool moving completely online due to Covid. The fact that it just keeps expanding shows the intense benefits of virtual schooling and how much we want to embrace it as a global society.
Types of Virtual Schooling
Just as there were many stages of virtual schooling since its inception, it still exists in multiple forms today since it is so flexible. In terms of a virtual school vs. online school, we take them as the same, just different terminology since they are both delivering education remotely and online.
There are the asynchronous independent online courses where there is little to no live interaction between teacher and students, but it is all facilitated through a course portal with the lessons and assignments laid out and message boards to communicate. While these have deadlines, these courses are better for independent students who have other responsibilities.
There are also synchronous classes that take place online via Zoom, Teams, or another education based platform where the teacher talks live to the students and teaches lessons during the class time while students “attend” class from their separate locations. A course portal for assignments usually accompanies these classes. The power of virtual schooling shows through in this version since it mimics the in-person classroom experience the most.
Benefits of Virtual Schooling
The benefits of virtual schooling include reaching more students with classes and topics they normally wouldn’t have access to, reaching students with disabilities or who do not have the accessibility to attend in person, and giving students access to specialized content.
But most importantly, education through virtual schooling gives some students access to an education they would have never received because of where they live and their family circumstances. With the power of virtual schooling, we can break down these barriers to education.
For so many, education is the way into the workforce, into society, and to making a name for themselves in the world, and when a child is denied that opportunity or it is not seen as a priority, then their entire future is changed. But with a virtual school, they can learn on their own time and pace while still assisting in their responsibilities to their family and without having to travel long distances to attend school.
Challenges of Virtual Schooling
Alongside the benefits of virtual schooling come the challenges, but as we’ve seen in the sweeping trend of online education, the benefits far outweigh the challenges.
When looking at a preschool through primary school education through virtual schooling, the main and most obvious challenge is the lack of social interaction with peers and elders who are outside of their immediate family and friend circle. This is a rather large challenge because these early years are when the brain develops the most rapidly, and building these social structures and problem solving with others prepares children for real world experiences.
But, for many children who don’t have access or the resources to education, education through virtual schooling is the only way to learn, overlooking the lack of social interaction.
Who Can Benefit Most from Virtual Schooling?
It is these children who are mainly from poverty stricken areas that don’t value, prioritize, or have access to education who can benefit the most from education through virtual schooling.
Just by giving a child a virtual school tablet with a fully licensed curriculum, they can work their way through lessons and games by putting their knowledge and problem solving to the test. In our virtual schools, all the work done remotely by the children is monitored by real teachers who give feedback and assistance. This is similar to the asynchronous model we talked about before for continuing education courses, but geared towards children who cannot attend a physical school.
Through this model, the power of virtual schooling shines through because countless children will be able to learn on their own and get feedback from real teachers. This technology is a game changer for the virtual school vs. online school world because it expands the reach of education to new places that we previously could not even dream of.
Conclusion
Getting an education through virtual schooling has already unlocked great futures for so many people in recent years that the benefits of virtual schooling are evident. It is not slowing down! Technology is evolving to make virtual schooling more accessible, more fun, more comprehensive, and more personalized so that students in all situations all over the world can get the best education possible.
At NARA Education we are working to get our virtual school platform to as many children in areas of poverty in Pakistan as we can, and don’t want to stop until we spread to other countries to help all children get the education and the future they deserve.
Help us prove the power of virtual schooling! Donate to NARA Education today.
Ilona Sindhu
Ilona is a writer focused on Old Norse Mythology, drawing from her Hungarian, Pakistani, and Texan roots. She holds a BA in Dramaturgy and Theatre History from NYU, an MS in Religion and Literature from the University of Edinburgh, and is currently working on her PhD. After working in theatre, dance, finance, and academia, her work blends myth, culture, and storytelling across borders.
Published: June 13, 2024
Published: June 13, 2024
Published: February: 12, 2026
16770 Imperial Valley Dr, Suite 125A, Houston, TX 77060, USA 
info@naraeducation.org 
+1 281-686-4137
16770 Imperial Valley Dr, Suite 125A, Houston, TX 77060, USA 
info@naraeducation.org
