Online learning was all the buzz at the start of the pandemic. Millions of students and teachers were forced into online learning situations that were hastily put together to meet an urgent need. Unfortunately, this created a less-than-ideal experience for many students and families, and perpetuated several myths about online learning. Here are the top myths and the facts that debunk them.
Myth 1: Students teach themselves the material.
Fact: Online school has individual classroom teachers just like traditional schools do, all of whom are actively engaged with their students and genuinely care about their success. In fact, students at Mountain Heights Academy often say they have more interaction with their teachers than they did at traditional schools. Students are expected to view videos the teachers create, read a variety of texts, and participate in interactive labs and activities. They can also attend optional live sessions with other students. When they have questions, they can reach out to their teachers via email or chat, or set up a time for a video conference for one-on-one help.Mountain Heights teachers have generous office hours set aside to chat, email, video conference, or screen share when a student needs help. They're trained in the nuances of working effectively in a virtual school classroom. And because they’re not repeating the same lecture multiple times each day, they have more time to tailor their instruction to individual students’ needs
Myth 2: The quality of education is lower.
Fact: Online schools go through a rigorous certification to ensure all courses meet a high academic standard. Mountain Heights Academy is no exception. Not only is it a fully accredited online school, but it’s also one of the highest-performing online schools in Utah, based on course completion rates, test scores at or above the state average, and high graduation rates. The school is continually evaluated to ensure students are receiving the best opportunities to learn and develop.
Myth 3: Online credits don’t transfer to other schools.
Fact: Mountain Heights is fully accredited through Cognia, just as all public, neighborhood and charter schools in Utah are. This means credits will transfer to any other accredited school in the country, and vice versa.Mountain Heights operates as a public charter school under a contract with the State Charter School Board.
Myth 4: Students don’t learn to meet deadlines.
Fact: While it’s true that online school is more self-directed, students at Mountain Heights Academy do have deadlines. Schoolwork is divided into weekly modules, with assignments due each Friday at 6:00 p.m.This empowers students with the freedom to complete their assignments at their own pace each week or even work ahead and complete assignments early. It’s an ideal mix of flexibility and structure to help students succeed—at Mountain Heights as well as in college or the workforce.
Myth 5: Online schools provide very little social interaction.
Fact: Mountain Heights Academy students have all kinds of opportunities to connect with other students face-to-face. These include course-related activities like collaborative group projects and field trips, as well as service opportunities and social events like proms, socials,award ceremonies, and a back-to-school carnival. Students can also join one of the manyin-person clubs, and gain leadership opportunities by becoming a student body officer, class senator, peer mentor, or National Honor Society member.
Myth 6: It’s all pre-recorded lectures.
Fact: Interaction is a key component of online learning. In addition to watching videos that their teachers create, Mountain Heights students also participate in online group discussions, do collaborative group assignments, and can schedule one-on-one time with their teachers to ask questions or get help with a topic or assignment.
Myth 7: Students have to choose between online or in-person school.
Fact: It doesn’t have to be one or the other. Students can mix and match their in-person and online classes by taking up to four credits at Mountain Heights Academy each year, including one each summer. There are a variety of reasons students choose to do this.Some of these include taking classes that don’t fit into their schedules, starting school a little later each day, getting more personal attention with a difficult subject, or trying a different elective.
Myth 8: Students spend all their time in front of a computer.
Fact: The computer connects teachers, students, and parents,and is used to access assignments and lectures. But students also have novels, science materials, art supplies,and more,for hands-on projects and assignments away from the screen.
Myth 9: Online school is the same as homeschooling.
Fact: Other than the fact that students learn from the comfort of their own homes, there is very little similarity between online learning and homeschooling. With homeschool, parents serve as both teacher and parent, develop their own curriculum, and are personally responsible for the education of their child. Mountain Heights welcomes parental involvement but it is not required. Teachers communicate consistently with and responsively to parents and students, plus they have the in-depth training and experience needed to create highly effective curriculum for the virtual classroom.
Myth 10: Students get left behind with online school.
Fact: Students who fell behind at traditional schools often find success at Mountain Heights Academy. If students are struggling, teachers take the time to work with them individually to ensure they’ve grasped the subject—without slowing down the whole class. Students also have the opportunity to take honors and concurrent enrollment courses.