Today’s need for a flexible and adaptive curriculum is more apparent than ever. Enter world schooling—a revolutionary approach to education that combines travel with learning. This unique approach broadens horizons and tailors learning to each child’s passions and the family’s adventures. Read on to discover how world schooling can transform the traditional learning experience into an exciting global adventure.
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What is World Schooling?
world schooling is an educational approach in which learning is not confined to the walls of a classroom. Instead, families use the world as their classroom, integrating travel into their children’s education. This method allows children to learn by experiencing different cultures, languages, and environments firsthand, making education a dynamic and ongoing journey.
How is World Schooling Different from Homeschooling?
| Aspect | World Schooling | Homeschooling |
|---|---|---|
| Learning Environment | Uses the global environment as a classroom. | Typically conducted at home in a fixed setting. |
| Educational Focus | Experiential learning through travel and culture. | Often follows a structured curriculum. |
| Mobility | High mobility, learning is integrated with travel. | Limited mobility, learning within the community. |
| Cultural Exposure | Immersive exposure to diverse cultures worldwide. | Primarily exposure to local or online cultures. |
| Flexibility | Highly flexible, adapted to travel schedules. | Flexible, but generally routine-based. |
| Social Interaction | Diverse interactions across different global settings. | Mostly local or within homeschooling networks. |
How to Start World Schooling?
Starting world schooling, or travel schooling as it’s sometimes called, can seem daunting, but with the right preparation, it can be an enriching experience for the whole family. Here are some initial steps and practical tips to help you begin:
- Research and Planning: Begin by connecting with other worldschoolers through online forums and social media groups. They can offer invaluable advice and first-hand experiences that will help you understand what to expect.
- Budgeting: world schooling requires careful financial planning. Create a budget that includes travel costs, accommodations, meals, and educational materials. Consider ways to save money, such as traveling in the off-season or staying longer in less expensive countries.
- Educational Resources: Choose educational resources that are portable and adaptable to different environments. Digital resources, such as e-books and educational apps, are particularly useful as they don’t take up physical space.
- Legal Considerations: Check the legal requirements for homeschooling in your home country and understand the visa regulations for the countries you plan to visit. This ensures your travel schooling remains uninterrupted.
- Travel Planning: Start with a destination known for being family-friendly and culturally rich. Plan a slow travel schedule that allows your family to immerse in each location, giving your children the time to explore and learn from each place.
World Schooling Curriculum and Learning Approaches
World schooling adopts a flexible approach to education, tailoring the curriculum to fit the learning environment and the unique experiences of each family. Here are key components of a world schooling curriculum and its learning approaches:
- Experiential Learning: At the core of world schooling is learning through experiences. Children learn about geography by visiting different places, history by exploring historical sites, and cultures by interacting with local people.
- Project-Based Learning: This approach involves students in projects that integrate multiple subject areas and allow them to apply what they learn in real-world situations. It encourages problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration.
- Digital Resources: Utilizing online educational tools and resources helps maintain a structured learning path. Digital platforms offer lessons in various subjects that are accessible anywhere, providing continuity in education no matter where the family is.
- Local Interaction: Engaging with local communities and cultures is a significant part of world schooling. It enriches the educational experience by providing authentic learning opportunities that are not available in traditional school settings.
- Language Learning: Being exposed to multiple languages as they travel, children naturally pick up new languages, enhancing their linguistic skills and cultural understanding.
- Holistic Development: World schooling focuses on the holistic development of a child. It not only covers academic subjects but also nurtures social skills, independence, and adaptability.
Related Reading: How to Build Project-Based Learning Plans for Classrooms
How SplashLearn Works With World Schooling?
SplashLearn is an online educational tool for kids from PreK through grade 5 that seamlessly integrates with the world schooling approach. It covers foundational subjects such as math, early reading, creativity, art, critical thinking, logic, motor skills, and general knowledge, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience. Here’s how it enhances the learning experience for world schooling families:
- Accessibility: SplashLearn is accessible on various devices, providing flexibility to learn anywhere, anytime. This is particularly beneficial for worldschoolers who are often on the move and need educational resources that can travel with them.
- Interactive Learning: The platform offers a range of interactive and engaging math and reading games that make learning fun and interactive. This helps keep children motivated and eager to learn, which is crucial when they are adapting to new environments regularly.
- Progress Tracking: One of the challenges of world schooling can be maintaining a consistent educational trajectory. SplashLearn addresses this by offering detailed progress tracking. Parents can monitor their children’s academic progress in real-time, ensuring they stay on track despite frequent travels.
- Curriculum Alignment: SplashLearn aligns with standard educational curricula, making it easy to integrate into a world schooling framework. This ensures that children can meet educational standards no matter where they are in the world.
- Customizable Learning Paths: The platform allows for customization of learning paths based on the child’s needs and pace. This is ideal for worldschoolers who might need to adapt lessons based on travel schedules and opportunities for experiential learning in different locales.
- Live Classes by Experts: SplashLearn offers live classes conducted by educational experts in a game-based format. This unique feature provides real-time interaction and personalized instruction, which is beneficial for worldschoolers who may not have regular access to traditional classroom settings. These live sessions help ensure that students can receive guidance and support directly from educators, making their learning experience vibrant and interactive, even on the go.
- Extensive Resource Library: With over 15,000 resources available, including multiplayer games and printable worksheets, SplashLearn is a comprehensive tool for all educational needs in world schooling. Whether reinforcing a concept learned during travels or introducing a new one, the platform ensures that the right educational tool is always at your disposal, making it highly effective for a dynamic learning environment.
- Affordable and Family-Friendly: SplashLearn offers a free trial and significant discounts on yearly plans, ranging from 50% to 70%, making it an affordable option for world schooling families. Additionally, you can add up to three children to a single account, which maximizes its value and convenience for family use. This affordability and account flexibility make SplashLearn particularly attractive for families traveling and learning together.
7 Advantages of World Schooling
- Traveling to different countries and interacting with various cultures fosters a deep understanding and appreciation of diversity, promoting global awareness from a young age.
- World schooling allows children to learn through real-life experiences, making education more relevant and engaging. This practical approach helps solidify learning by directly applying concepts in everyday situations.
- Families can tailor the educational process to fit their child’s learning style, pace, and interests. This flexibility often leads to a more personalized and effective learning experience.
- Constant exposure to new environments and situations helps children become highly adaptable and skilled at navigating changes and challenges.
- Immersion in different linguistic environments accelerates language learning and enhances communication abilities, providing children with valuable skills for the future.
- World schooling typically involves the whole family, leading to strengthened family relationships through shared experiences and collective problem-solving.
- Navigating new countries and cultures builds independence and confidence in children, as they learn to interact with diverse groups and manage various situations.
7 Challenges of World Schooling
- Maintaining a consistent educational routine can be difficult with the ever-changing environments associated with homeschooling and traveling. Finding a balance between travel experiences and formal learning is crucial.
- Depending on travel locations, there may be limited access to educational materials or internet connectivity, which can disrupt the learning process.
- Each country has different laws regarding education, and navigating homeschooling regulations while traveling can be complex and require thorough research.
- While traveling provides diverse social experiences, regular interaction with a consistent group of peers is limited, which can affect social skills development.
- Frequent travels can be physically taxing and emotionally stressful for both children and parents, potentially leading to burnout.
- Finding adequate academic support or tutoring in specific subjects can be challenging when moving from one place to another.
- Adapting to new cultures frequently can be overwhelming and may lead to feelings of isolation or alienation.
Who is World Schooling a Good Fit For?
world schooling can be an excellent fit for families who share the following characteristics:
- Families who are open to new experiences and enjoy exploring different cultures and environments.
- Those who can adapt to changing situations and are comfortable with a degree of uncertainty that comes with frequent travel.
- Families that can plan and organize logistics, education, and budgets effectively while on the move.
- Parents who are dedicated to actively managing and facilitating their children’s education.
- Families who work well together and can handle spending extended periods of time in close quarters.
- Those who can handle the challenges and stresses of travel and are capable of turning difficulties into learning opportunities.
Conclusion
world schooling opens up educational possibilities, blending travel with learning to create a rich, immersive experience. For families willing to embrace its challenges, it offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn, grow, and explore together. As you start this transformative educational journey, the world becomes not just a place to visit but a vibrant classroom without walls.
Related Reading: Types of Education for Kids: Formal, Informal & Non-formal
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to afford world schooling?
Affording world schooling often involves careful financial planning, such as setting a budget, choosing cost-effective travel destinations, and potentially working remotely. Many families also save on traditional schooling costs and utilize free or affordable educational resources online.
What is the difference between unschooling and world schooling?
Unschooling is a child-led learning approach that eschews traditional curriculum and structured education, allowing children to learn through their natural life experiences. world schooling, while also flexible, typically involves travel and uses global experiences as a primary educational tool, often with more structured learning opportunities integrated.
What is the cost of world schooling?
The cost of world schooling can vary widely depending on factors such as travel style, destinations, and the number of family members. Some families manage on a modest budget by choosing affordable locations and slow travel, while others might spend more for extensive travel and diverse experiences.
