Homeschooling has become increasingly popular over the past few decades as more families seek to provide their children with a customized education tailored to their individual needs, wants and interests.
If you picture homeschooling as a minuture school setting at home, your in for a surprise! There are many, many ways to education a child and within the homeschooling community, two terms have emerged that describe different approaches to education: Roadschooling and Worldschooling.
What is Roadschooling?
Roadschooling is essentially homeschooling on the road. Families who choose this approach typically travel full-time or part-time in an RV or other mobile dwelling and they use the experiences they encounter on the road to guide their childrens education.
This may involve visiting historical sites, national parks or other educational attractions along the way.
Families who Roadschooling often use a mix of traditional curricula and experiential learning to create a well-rounded education for their children.
What is Worldschooling?
Worldschooling, on the other hand, involves using travel as a means of education in and of itself. Families who Worldschool often take extended trips to foreign countries and immerse themselves in local cultures.
This may involve staying with local families, attending local schools, participating in volunteer work or language immersion programs.
Worldschooling is often forcused on developing a global perspective and understanding of different cultures and ways of life.
How does Roadschooling and Worldschooling differ?
While both Roadschooling and Worldschooling involve homeschooling while traveling, they differ in their focus and approach.
Roadschooling is often more structured and curriculum-based, with a greater emphasis on academic subjects such as math, science and language arts.
Worldschooling, on the other hands, is often more experiential and focused on developing cultural competence and social skills.
- Travel Style: Roadschooled families typically travel in an RV or camper, while worldschoolers may choose a variety of travel styles, including backpacking, house-sitting, or staying in hotels or hostels. Consider which type of travel is most appealing and feasible for your family.
- Educational Priorities: Roadschooled families often use structured curriculum and outdoor experiences, while worldschoolers tend to prioritize cultural immersion and language learning.
- Budget: Roadschooled families may save money on housing and transportation cost by living in an RV, either full-time or part-time, while worldschoolers may spend more on international flights and longer stays in foreign countries.
Is Roadschooling and Worldschooling the same as Unschooling?
The short answer is it depends.
Roadschooling and Worldschooling are not the same as unschooling, although they do share some similarities. Unschooling is a form of homeschooling in which children are allowed to learn at their own pace and pursue their own interests, without following a predetermined curriculum or schedule.
In contrast, both Roadschooling and Worldschooling involve some level of planning and structure, as families often have specific educational goals or experiences they want to pursue while traveling.
For example, a Roadschooling family might plan to visit national parks and attend science museums, while a Worldschooling family might spend several months living with a host family in a foreign country to learn a new language and experience a different culture.
That said, Roadschooling and Worldschooling can easily and often do incorporate unschooling principles by allowing children to have a say in what they learn and how they spend their time. Both can forgo formal curriculum and let their travel and experience be their guide, which is very similar to unschooling, although essentially, not the same.
Both Roadschooling and Worldschooling offer unique benefits and challenges for families who choose to pursue them. For families who value travel and exploration as a key part of their children’s education, either approach can provide a rich and unique homeschool experience.
Ultimately, the choice between Roadschooling and Worldschooling will depend on each family’s individual needs, preferences, budget and goals.
However, the most important thing is to provide your children with a rich, meaningful educational experience that fosters their curiosity, creativity and love of learning.
By embracing the opportunities that come with homeschooling and travel, you can create unforgettable memories and help your children develop a lifelong passion for exploration and discovery.
