Distance Learning: High SchoolFor many students, learning in a high school setting is difficult, if not impossible. Parents of children who have been bullied may be unwilling to subject their children to such a dangerous environment, and may choose to pull their children from school. Students who have been diagnosed with a serious illness or suffer from a chronic disorder that makes traveling difficult, those who are unable to take the school bus for one reason or another, or students who must work in order to contribute to the family income or support their own young families may feel they have no choice except to drop out of school. There’s no question that sometimes life makes learning difficult, but fortunately, it’s no longer impossibly so. Many school districts now allow students to take some of their coursework through a distance learning model. In some cases, they may even be permitted to complete their high school educations through distance learning.
With recent developments in technology, as well as the streamlining of existing technologies to make them better designed for online and distance learning, this alternative to classroom attendance in a brick-and-mortar school has become increasingly feasible. In spite of this, distance learning options aren’t widely available in every state or school district. Virtual learning programs that result in certifications and college or university degree programs have become widely accepted in all 50 states. A large number of programs have received the same accreditation as brick-and-mortar programs, enabling their graduates to find work or enter other college programs at higher levels. School districts around the country are beginning to realize that distance learning can be a reasonable way to teach high school students, as well. In some states, charter schools have had the vision to establish a virtual learning component and offer some courses through distance learning. In these cases, the education is available at no cost to students, just as their counterparts in public school settings attend school without paying tuition. And as with physical high schools, these students earn the same diploma upon graduation. How students are accepted into high school distance learning programs varies. Some districts make the option available only to their own students, while others such as the Minnesota Online High School, which is not solely affiliated with any one school district, opens the doors to any Minnesota student who fulfills the requirements. In some cases, students might be required to make periodic visits to a physical campus to take exams, participate in group presentations, and be present for workshops or for other reasons. In other cases, students might not ever need to set foot on a physical campus. Distance learning high schools that are outreach programs of public schools are, of course, fully accredited. The diploma a student earns is identical to one that a fellow student, who attends only face-to-face classes, earns. However, more and more private schools are seeing the value in distance learning. Many of these schools are entirely legitimate and dedicated to the education of tomorrow’s adults. Parents of students interested in these schools should be careful to determine that they are regionally accredited by acknowledged boards, groups, or agencies. Unfortunately, there are schools that charge tuition and indicate on their websites that they are accredited. What they fail to mention is that the accrediting body who reviewed their curriculum and teaching methods is not considered legitimate. In fact, in some cases, they are recognized scammers. Obviously, a diploma from one of these distance learning high schools is useless when it comes to admission to a college or university. A visit to the U.S. Department of Education’s website will assure parents that a selected institution is properly accredited. One area that parents of high school students interested in distance learning can check for very high quality courses are state universities. A growing number are offering distance learning options not only to adult learners, but have designed courses for high school students as well. Many junior, technical, and community colleges also welcome younger students into their virtual classrooms. Not every type of high school student will become a successful online student. It takes someone with good organizational skills and the ability to manage their time to take on distance learning and succeed. The student needs to be very much a self-starter and be able to stick with work until it has been done well. Distance learning should never be viewed as an opportunity to kick back and relax. Just because the student isn’t required to be in a physical classroom at a specific hour of the day doesn’t mean the work doesn’t need to be done. If anything, distance learning students must be more mature, more disciplined, and harder working than their classmates in the traditional classroom. Parents should also expect to be an active part of a high school student’s distance learning experience. Reviewing homework, discussing areas of confusion, and helping the student figure out where to go to find answers are skills parents can model and instill in their offspring. While distance learning isn’t for everyone, for those who can benefit from it, it may seem a lifesaver indeed. Extremely bright students who are bored in a traditional classroom can work with a distance learning program to design alternatives that spark and maintain their interest. Young parents who understand the only way they can provide a good life for their little ones is with a good education, can gain the knowledge and life skills they need through distance learning. Immigrant students and those with learning disabilities have the chance to take the time they need to fully digest information and prepare assignments. Students who have been felled by an illness that will keep them out of school for an extended period of time have the opportunity to keep up with class work via distance learning. With the passage of time, high school distance learning options are becoming increasingly available as a means to help educate youth who fall outside the more rigid, traditional definition of “learner.” |
Distance learning is also sometimes a boon for