Encourage Independent Learning with BookShark Virtual
One of the primary goals of homeschooling is to encourage independent learning so that our children become lifelong learners and take ownership of their own education. This includes encouraging their curiosity and creativity so that they can make natural connections in their studies across the curriculum.
One of the ways we do that in our homeschool is to include lots of living books in our lessons. These kinds of books encourage questions and discussions, plus they expand interests and lead to new ideas.
When we recently had the opportunity to review BookShark Science, it was a good match for our learning style. It not only included lots of great living books, but it also included the experiment book and supplies to bring those lessons to life with hands-on projects. My daughters loved it!
You can read our complete review here: BookShark: Literature-Based Science.
So when I heard about a new option to supplement BookShark curriculum, I was intrigued and wanted to take a look at how it can help encourage independent learning. It’s called BookShark Virtual.
What is BookShark Virtual?
BookShark Virtual works alongside the BookShark curriculum packages, not in place of. In other words, you will need BookShark printed curriculum if you want to use BookShark Virtual courses online.
It’s an online learning management system that allows your children to complete assignments and receive grades. As the homeschool parent, you’re totally in charge of making the assignments and grading them. It’s a way of recordkeeping for you, while your kids have a chance to take responsibility for completing their assignments online.
BookShark Virtual brings the power and ease of online accountability to a literature-rich curriculum that kids love.
Packed with features for both parent and child:
- enjoy easy recordkeeping & grading
- upload student work
- see 36 weeks of schedules
- keep track of completed assignments
- encourage independent learning
- document student work
- track completed assignments
- assign & adjust grades
- provide feedback and leave messages
- get parent notifications
- export PDF portfolio of completed work
- and many more
BookShark Virtual is available for any BookShark levels A-H, including history, language arts, and science. It completely integrates with Math-U-See as well.
How We Use BookShark Virtual
BookShark Virtual provides accountability for both parents and students. I’ve been using BookShark Virtual to make assignments and do some grading. This comes in handy for homeschool portfolio time because we have to show progress and completed work for our year-end teacher portfolio assessment.
For my daughters, it provides a way to do some assignments online and have a sense of independence. It also gives them practice navigating online learning systems, which will come in handy for future courses in college or any self-paced, self-directed learning they may do. I consider it a useful life skill to learn how to navigate this type of learning dashboard, plus have the responsibility to submit assignments that way.
Another benefit is breaking down the assignments into doable chunks. Sometimes when kids see a big pile of worksheets, books, and objectives to complete, it can be overwhelming. With BookShark Virtual, you can make the modules available a little a time so your kids don’t get overwhelmed. It also offers a built-in incentive to complete them so they can see what comes next.
BookShark Virtual is available on the go, too. You can use it on any Android or iOS tablet or phone. There are two separate apps for Canvas — one for students and one for teachers/parents. My daughters do their assignments on the computers with the bigger screens, but it’s convenient for parents to just log in on the phone to make assignments quickly and easily.
Truthfully, I wouldn’t normally stress about using a grading system or due dates for my daughters. We’re just way too relaxed to worry about those kind of details. However, I see the benefit of doing this to eventually compile a transcript, teach them good study skills and habits, and stay on track with our BookShark homeschool curriculum progress.
There are plenty of video tutorials on the BookShark YouTube channel, as well as a very thorough User’s Manual to help you find your way around if you need help.
Try BookShark Virtual
When you pair BookShark print curriculum with a Virtual seat, parents and students get cool online features like assessment, grading, and accountability—accessible via mobile or desktop!
The best way to understand BookShark Virtual is to try it yourself. The first three weeks of every Virtual course are available for free just like the Instructor’s Guide samples always have been (here).
Watch the demo videos to get your bearings, and then take it for a spin. Let your child take a peek, too!
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