Sidebar: Homeschoolers Log Off

People commonly assume the online public education experience involves students staring at a computer all day, said Jeff Kwitowski, vice president of public relations for K12, the vendor managing operations for the Texas Virtual Academy (TXVA). He insists that assumption is a myth.

Students in the elementary and middle school grades spend roughly 30 percent of their daily class time on the computer, according to the TXVA. Most lessons involve printed textbooks and various hands-on materials, such as paint, thermometers, spring scales, compasses and numerous others.

Time on the computer does increase in high school as students work more in conjunction with peers via the Web. Parental involvement in the educational process decreases at this point, as students follow lesson plans more independently, according to the TXVA.