In the U.S., homeschooling has seen an rapid increase in popularity since the onset of the pandemic. To illustrate, using U.S. Census Bureau data that covered a 6-month time-period, the rate of students that were homeschooled increased from 5.4% in the spring of 2020, to 11.1% in the fall of 2020, from the beginning to the end of the pandemic.There are more families homeschooling their own children which raises the need to discuss safety, structure, and accountability for education at home by parents. Schools have been using school security camera and system options to provide safety and wellness monitoring for students and staff for a long time. The concepts of monitoring and safety are being innovatively adapted to support families who are homeschooling.
The Role of Surveillance Systems in Traditional Schools
In educational institutions – both in the public and private sectors school security cameras act as a primary and pivotal line of defense against outside threats and disruptions occurring inside the school. Security surveillance systems allow for real-time monitoring, deterrence of problematic behavior, and in the event of an incident, they allow for review after the event. Security systems can also be frequently integrated with access controls, alarms, and even visitor tracking technologies to create a more rounded protective framework.
While the core intention of these systems is to guard against external threats like intruders and vandalism, they also offer the added dimension of aiding teachers and learners to remain engaged and focused. It is the blend of security and accountability that enhances the value of these systems—and this is what so greatly appeals to the homeschool family as well.
Why Homeschooling Families Are Embracing Video Monitoring
Even when a homeschooling situation takes place in a known and controlled setting, it still requires structure, safety, and record keeping. Parents who are managing several children, part-time work, or caregiving situations will have difficulty providing supervision on a consistent basis. In this instance, video surveillance can help to ease that concern with both structure and peace of mind.
Having school security cameras installed in home classrooms or study areas makes it possible for children to stay focused on their lessons when the parent has to step away for any period of time. The recorded video can also be a resource for reflecting on lessons and progress and providing clarity if children argue with one another. If tutors, co-op teachers, or caretakers are employed these systems also increase transparency and trust.
Building a Secure and Efficient Home Learning Environment
In the homeschool setting, security cameras serve no purpose of “big brotherism,” but instead serve the purpose of optimizing learning while providing a safe refuge free of distractions and disturbances. In appropriate locations and uses, these systems can help students create routine, reinforce expectations, and affect learning outcomes. For example, time stamped footage can help parents recognize behaviors of inattention and adjust subsequent behaviors and lesson plan or time management as a result.
In addition, during the time of online learning, many families that have homeschooling styles may also incorporate video calls together, online courses, and group work online. Using security systems with smart technology (e.g. facial recognition, two-way communication, cloud storage) adds another layer of digital security, personally identifiable information safeguards, and peace of mind that your child is interacting with pre-approved individuals. For families who have anxiety about online safety, this level of supervision and monitoring is a significant advantage.
Addressing Privacy and Ethical Considerations
Definitely, there are valid concerns about the privacy of minors in the home when we use school security cameras in the home. The key thing will be to purposefully use them and be transparent. Kids should have an understanding of the reason for surveillance while families should be the ones to place limits on the use of school security cameras in the home, when to initiate and where to place cameras.
Surveillance should be limited to place of learning and during the time periods of the school day when students are actively engaged, not in their bedrooms or other private areas. Collected data should be stored securely with only appropriate, authorized personnel able to access it. When families involve children in the conversation and contestable spirit around surveillance and transparency, the appropriate balance of safety and personal freedom can be established.
Choosing the Right System for Your Home School
Ease of use, confidence in the data being captured, and flexibility are a crucial consideration when choosing a home schools monitoring system. Systems with a mobile app that allows parents to log in remotely to check on things can be especially beneficial when a parents is also working, or balancing multiple obligations. A system with features like motion detection, night vision, and backups to the cloud add their own benefit while also many the systems easier to use.
Some households may also wish to have their video monitoring integrated with a smart home, allowing them to coordinate, all from one portal, everything from lights to locks to alarms. This not only provides more security but also offers a better-organized home learning experience.
Final Thoughts
When switching from school security measures to homeschooling, safety is a reason to consider the home schooling environment as one in which children can thrive academically and emotionally. In the right ways, video surveillance can allow parents to create a structured learning environment to promote accountability and even discipline in the homeschooling environment. Homeschooling is becoming more commonplace, and new technologies, including security cameras can help parenting in the educational, safety and efficient standards of schooling.
FAQs
Do I need to have surveillance in my homeschool?
It isn’t required, but it can be very helpful for safety, accountability, and time use especially in multi-student homes and/or for families with working parents.
What features should I look for when selecting a home surveillance system?
Consider ease of use, mobile access, secured cloud storage, two-way communication (for example, a way for you to speak to the student while the incident is happening), and smart integrations.
Can I have security cameras in my own home?
Yes, as long as you are ethical about it and not recording places of privacy (bathrooms, bedrooms, etc.) and if you are complying with local privacy laws.
Can surveillance help increase learning efficiencies?
Yes. By helping to notice distractions and adjust routines or schedules, or even by reviewing lessons, or activity selections, video monitoring could improve a student’s academic level and use of time.
Key Takeaway
Families choosing to homeschool can implement structured security practices using the same types of security strategies typically used by schools. By employing some common sense in their thoughtful use of the security cameras used in schools, families can increase safety, maximize learning capacities, and create healthy learning environments at home.