Today more than ever, families rely on online classes for their educational needs. Families and students turn to virtual high school to keep up with the credits they need to graduate, but it’s not just a solution for those who feel unsafe attending in-person classes right now.
When you take your high school classes online, you enter a school environment that’s more flexible and tailored to your needs.
Does Online Learning Work?
With so many schools suddenly incorporating online learning, there are some questions about how effective the virtual classroom is. Whether or not self-paced, virtual learning works depends on the resources made available to students.
One of the most commonly cited obstacles to successful online learning is the availability of an actual instructor. When teachers are present to answer questions either by email or during dedicated office hours, students have the opportunity to receive more guidance and get help with concepts they’ve struggled to grasp from online lectures alone.
The success of online learning often has less to do with the fact that it’s virtual than the availability of resources and support.
What Are the Benefits of Online Learning?
Online learning appeals to a broad range of students, including those who struggle with school in a classroom setting, returning students looking to improve their grades, and students who want to quickly earn credits that are pre-requisites for post-secondary degrees. The virtual classroom offers an opportunity
#1 Safety in an Uncertain World
The situation with COVID-19 continues to evolve, and for the foreseeable future, the traditional classroom is going to be a place that comes with certain risks. For many families and students, choosing between in-person and online learning is a no-brainer at the moment. But it’s also not the only reason to consider online learning.
#2 Work at Your Own Pace
Student’s lives are busy. It can be a challenge balancing everything, and the pace of traditional school can be too quick for some learners. On the other hand, it may be too slow for others, including students who want to improve their grades or learn pre-requisites quickly to apply for a certain post-secondary program.
Some virtual high schools allow you to complete courses in as little as 4 weeks or as long as 12 months. It’s a flexible way of learning that adapts to different learning styles and circumstances.
#3 Learn in Your own Environment
The classroom setting isn’t for everyone. Unlike live Zoom-hosted classes, virtual high school courses are typically pre-recorded lessons narrated by the teacher, accompanied tasks and assignments that can be completed on the student’s own timeline. You don’t have to worry about interruptions at home and instead enjoy learning in an environment of your own design.
One of the surprising benefits of learning in your own environment is that students can also wind up being more active in classes. In the transition from traditional classrooms to online learning across the board, some have observed that students actually participate and are more engaged in online learning than they are in-person. For some, it’s just a style of learning better suited to some people.
#4 Online High School Credits Are Transferable
When you’re looking for online learning, do make sure that you find a school that’s accredited in your region and works with certified high school teachers. In most places, online credits are entirely transferable and can be used to earn a high school diploma and apply for post-secondary programs.
Does eLearning Teach Soft Skills?
There’s more to academic success than just mastering the curriculum. Future employers expect to see soft skills in new recruits that make it easier to work with someone and gain the most from their knowledge and expertise.
A good virtual high school will not only evaluate students on soft skills in addition to course material, but also create an environment where students will learn and practice skills such as collaboration, independent work, initiative, and organization.
Virtual learning can be a great solution for those who work better outside of the traditional classroom or who want to upgrade their marks.
