Independent Learning Is Not Just for Homeschoolers
by:
David Engle
May 21, 2025
Independent learning is growing more and more popular each year–but it’s not limited to homeschooled students. Read on to learn why online school offers the best of every type of education and why it may be the perfect fit for your student.
The school year is winding down, and many families take this time to determine whether the year was a success for their students. After all, there are so many education options these days that parents and students should never feel “stuck” with one specific type of education. Besides traditional in-person public and private schooling, there’s online learning, homeschooling, and other independent learning programs available for families looking to make a change.
Independent learning grows more and more popular each year–but it’s not limited to homeschooled students. Read on to learn why online school offers the best of indepenent learning and why it may be the perfect fit for your student.
What does it mean to be an independent learner?
There’s a common misconception about independent learning. Some view it as an isolated education experience during which the student is alone and figuring everything out for themselves. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Independent learning is actually quite liberating for students and an extremely valuable skill to own after graduation. Independent learners are empowered with the tools they need to take their learning into their own hands rather than being spoon-fed by instructors or teachers. Students have the freedom to explore, experiment, and investigate, with a lower level of oversight from instructors. In other words, students receive the general foundation upon which to build their education. With those tools, students can then learn independently–at their own pace–while knowing that their teachers or instructors are always there to support them and answer questions.
For students enrolled in online schooling, independent learning is an incredibly important tool to have. With flexibility that allows online school students to work virtually wherever and whenever they want, students must be able to learn and study independently rather than rely solely on their teachers’ lectures or instructions.
At this point, you may be wondering how independent learning in online school differs from independent learning in homeschools. Whereas homeschooled students rely primarily on parent-led instruction and coursework, students in online schools generally do not receive that level of direct instruction. Yes, it’s true that many online classes feature live (or recorded) instruction. But some courses are asynchronous, giving students the opportunity to explore on their own and at a comfortable speed.
The importance of independent learning
Independent learners perform their own research and they ask their own questions–they don’t depend on teacher handouts and materials. They take a topic and run with it, and they determine what’s important on their own. With guidance and support from teachers and academic leaders/coaches, independent learners also own their educational journey and set their own personal goals.
Why are these skills important?
As a parent, would you want your student heading off to college comfortable in their own abilities to navigate the real world? Or would you rather send them out there without having the necessary experience to handle life on their own? It’s not easy. A parent’s primary job is to protect their children. So, of course you don’t want to willingly expose them to unfamiliar situations and potentially uncomfortable scenarios.
But that’s how kids learn. Sure, they may stumble here and there. But they’ll pull themselves off the ground, dust themselves off, and keep moving forward by learning on their own. The difference is, students who learn independently in online school are better prepared to handle what’s thrown at them in college or in the working world. That should make the post-graduation transition much easier than it is for students who have never learned how to operate independently.
The benefits of independent learning
Aside from better preparation to take on their next phase, students who learn independently absorb invaluable skills they can use for the rest of their lives. This includes time management, organization, self-motivation, and how to set goals.
Along with those skills, independent learners are often more engaged students because they’ve assumed ownership of their education. This generally results in a greater passion to learn, a high level of curiosity, and better academic outcomes.
But students who learn independently also build vital non-academic skills and traits such as confidence (from knowing that they can figure things out on their own), accountability, and problem solving. And those are the characteristics of successful human beings regardless of what they study, what they love to do, and what career path they forge for themselves.
How online school promotes independent learning
It bears repeating–independent learning is not isolated or unsupported learning. A good online school will always provide a support system and instruction for your student. That’s what makes online learning so amazing. Students experience the freedom to learn and explore on their own, but they always have the support and expertise of teachers and academic coaches, plus a learning and support structure that homeschools simply can’t offer.
At Holston Academy, for example, our teachers and Academic Coaches are with students every step of the way. While allowing students to learn on their own, our instructors and coaches support independent learning through personalized coursework, customized pacing, flexible schedules, and regular 1:1 check-ins. While homeschooling primarily relies on instruction-based learning (from a parent or another adult), online learning promotes independent study supported by teachers and academic coaches.
How to support your student’s journey
Along with their teachers and academic coaches, you as a parent can also help support your child’s independent education in a variety of ways.
- Help them set up their workspace. Work with your child to find a comfortable space where they can learn every day. Make sure it’s clean, organized, and conducive to studying and exploring.
- Monitor from a distance to ensure they’re on track. Check in from time to time to see how your student is doing each day. Make sure they’re still focusing on the task at hand, and help them create a schedule that works in regular short breaks. Walking away for 15 minutes can help their brains recharge so they’re ready to continue exploring.
- Avoid micromanaging. While some oversight is important in keeping your child on task, the last thing you want to do is micromanage the situation. That basically defeats the entire purpose of independent learning. You can let your student know you’re there if they have any questions. But give them the space (both physical and mental) to learn on their own.
- Celebrate progress. Independent learning may be a new avenue for your student, so it may be necessary to keep them motivated and engaged by recognizing wins and growth, no matter the size. Perhaps your child learned a new fact on their own. Maybe they aced an exam through independent study. Or they ask to go to the library to check out some books on a new topic they just discovered. These are all huge signs of progress. Take a moment to celebrate them–from a simple high-five to a surprise treat, your encouragement feeds their engagement.
Independent learning with Holston Academy
With a new school year just a few months away, now is the perfect time to consider an online education that promotes independent learning. Holston Academy supports independent learning by offering an accredited, student-centered education that allows middle and high schoolers to work at their own pace while receiving the support and structure they need from our teachers and Academic Coaches. Set your student up for success with independent learning through online school at Holston Academy. Call us at (833) 782-6922 for more information.