Deciding to switch from a traditional schooling system to an online school isn’t a light decision. After all, for students who’ve spent a fair amount of years learning in a classroom setting, the sudden shift to building their own schedule and completing school work on their own time can appear daunting. Online education isn’t without its negative connotations.
Although the numbers continue to decrease, parents and students occasionally believe the myth that online courses are only for a specific type of learner, or a person on an unforgiving schedule. There are key differences between traditional schooling and online education, and it’s important to discuss the benefits of the latter that you might not have realized existed.
Motivation
It’s a common misconception that only the most motivated of learners and students can find success on an online school platform. Often, even this being mentioned to a young person makes them feel as though they aren’t “the right fit” for online education. With reason, some students see flexibility in a schooling schedule as a perfect option to continue their unique and busy lives while still receiving a quality education. Other students understand that a flexible schedule accompanies a higher demand on them and greater personal responsibility. Neither student is wrong. However, while a flexible schedule does warrant a unique daily schedule, it shouldn’t dismiss those who are unclear about their motivation level or the learning skills they possess.
Having various motivation levels in schooling is very normal, as are various learning needs. For instance, if a student is performing to less than their normal ability, it may not be a question of motivation, but of how they’re currently learning in a classroom environment. It could be that they’re not given enough time to process the information they’re receiving, or they may not be challenged enough. Motivation is important at the beginning of and throughout your studies, but it’s the determination to succeed that will get you to the finish line.
Online School Doesn’t Mean Easier
Possibly the biggest stigma with any online course is that, outside of a classroom setting, courses suddenly become easier. While not every online school is created equal, customizing your schedule to your needs doesn’t mean simplifying your workload, or absorbing less information. The goal of Mountain Heights Academy is to provide Utah with an online charter school that is known across the state for its rigorous and rewarding curriculum.
All courses at Mountain Heights Academy require time management, prioritization, and ultimately, a want to learn. With courses built by caring and enthusiastic educators, and students who use their time wisely to engage themselves in their education, Mountain Heights Academy produces higher test scores and completion rates than any online schools throughout the state.
Social Skills & Cooperative Learning
Face-to-face interactions are not all that’s necessary for students to learn and develop their social skills. Cooperative learning can happen in a multitude of ways. During a course, through extracurricular opportunities, and leadership opportunities, students and their mentors will work together to promote cooperation and interaction. Commonly, this will happen via emails, through service-learning activities, and on field trips. Social interaction for an adolescent is important, and that’s why we’ll continue to give students the opportunity to engage inside and outside of school.