In 2017, more than 6 million students enrolled in online courses at post-secondary institutions. Of these distance-learners, more than 53% opted to learn exclusively online. This trend doesn’t just pertain to college students. At the elementary and high school level, many students are also turning to cyber school. But, why is online schooling to popular? Here are just a few advantages to taking online courses and how they might benefit teachers, parents and students alike.
1. Self-Paced
One of the best things about cyber school is that it’s self-paced, meaning the student chooses how slowly or quickly they move through courses. Many parents often choose cyber school for children who feel as though public-school classes feel rushed or simply not fast enough. In this traditional setting, the class majority and the teacher determine the pace. With cyber school, however, students can learn more efficiently without feeling like the teacher or their peers are running the show.
2. Individualized Learning
As students learn and grow at their own pace, teachers are able to meet with them one-on-one for a truly individualized learning experience. This may occur through virtual or in-person meetings where students receive direct feedback. Teachers might also sit in on group projects while students meet virtually. This allows them to monitor and assist smaller groups of students as they learn instead of trying to oversee an entire classroom at once.
3. Solves Public School Issues
In addition to solving the learning curve, cyber school also remedies behavioral and social issues. In a traditional setting, more than 20% of students ages 12 to 18 report being bullied. Meanwhile, cyberbullying remains one of the least common forms of bullying. Therefore, cyber school may be a great option for students who are being bullied in person. Cyber school also allows children with behavioral or attention disorders to completely focus on their work without worrying about being in a public setting.
4. Parental Involvement
While the teacher may be more present virtually, parents take on a more involved physical role in their children’s studies. Many parents choose cyber school for this reason alone as they don’t feel involved enough in a traditional public school setting. Whether they listen in on virtual meetings or help them through assignments, parents can help their students stay on task and provide them with immediate input regarding their work. They might also encourage more responsibility in their kids to teach independence.
5. Flexibility
Both parents and students also enjoy a more flexible schedule with cyber school. Traditionally, students attend classes from eight or nine in the morning to about three in the afternoon. With cyber school, however, students may begin their studies earlier or later and simply finish their day when their work is complete. Moreover, students can take classes anywhere they have a Wi-Fi connection, minimizing missed classes and allowing families to move without also transferring schools.
6. Social Opportunities
Even though students spend less time in a physical classroom, they still have many opportunities to connect with their teachers and students. Often, these opportunities come in the form of field trips, extracurriculars and in-person meetings. In some cases, cyber schools offer even more social options than a traditional school. Plus, kids are encouraged to connect in a less formal way compared to classroom settings where talking is usually discouraged.
7. Increased Safety
School shootings have become a common occurrence these days, making traditional schooling a safety risk many parents simply aren’t willing to take. Moreover, active shooter drills and lockdown incidences can take a toll on students’ mental health and ability to focus on their studies. By enrolling kids in cyber school, parents have more control over their children’s safety. Plus, the likelihood of a shooting at home is much less likely than in a traditional school setting, putting both parents’ and kids’ minds at ease.
8. Affordability
Many parents also seek to enroll their students in cyber school to save money. In general, tuition for traditional schooling can cost thousands of dollars and is much more expensive than cyber school. This is mostly due to the fact that online students require fewer resources and materials than public school students. Plus, there are no transportation costs involved in online programs. So, while the initial cost of purchasing a laptop may be higher, the overall cost of schooling is cheaper.
A Fast Track to Success
One of the greatest advantages to cyber school is the way in which it awards its best and brightest. Students who excel in their classes and truly grasp the material will complete courses quicker and be able to advance at an accelerated rate. This allows many to graduate early and begin taking college courses at a younger age. In turn, this better prepares them for the face-paced college atmosphere and sets them up for success in their future endeavors.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
