Online Learning: Is It for You?
By Whitney
Grade 10

Is "regular" high school just not working out for you? Do you want a more challenging academic experience? Do you need an extra credit for graduation? Online courses offer you the answers to these questions. Taking a course online is an item that has more pros than cons. I wish I could share all of the pros with you. However, if I did that, we would probably be here all day. In the online teaching environment you have one on one with your teacher, you can go at your own pace, and you can do your school work at any time. Are you in need of more convincing? Just not sure if online learning is for you? Let me share some of my experiences in online learning.

You are in a classroom of 30 or more other students chattering away and you have a question. What do you do? Most students just wait until they get home to ask someone their question because they just cannot have a few moments of "personal time" with their teacher. I know that it can be extremely hard not only to receive your teacher's attention and keep it there, but it is hard to hear and understand. However, in online learning I have never had those problems with any of my teachers. They are just a phone call or email away. All I have to do is push a few buttons and my teacher is there to give me the personal attention I need to help me achieve my best understanding and grades in school. The best part is that I do not have to compete for my teacher with other students. Your teacher will be focused on you and give you the help you need and deserve.

"Can you repeat that please?" How many times have you asked your instructor this question? At one point or another we may forget, miss, or just not grasp the concept of a lesson. I, personally, have a hard time taking notes. You may too. In online learning, I can just go back to that lesson, print it out, and always have the information I may need at my fingertips. Another common problem is that you need more time on a certain lesson or less on another. Last year I needed more time to understand Algebra 1 and in online learning, I got that extra time. However, in science I did not need as much time as usual, so I was able to finish ahead of schedule. In online learning, you can go at your pace, not your fellow classmates.

My sister just had her first baby today. I wanted to be there for her support. Now, in traditional school I would miss a valuable day of school for this or miss the birth of my nephew. However, in online learning I was able to come home in the evening, turn on my computer, and do my homework. When I cannot sleep, instead of just lying there, I get up and work on my FCAT Prep course at two in the morning. In what other school can you do that? Online learning gives you the chance to have a more active life but still achieve an excellent education. I volunteer at the local elementary school, take five courses online, and have a job. I would never be able to do this if I was in a "regular" school. Have you wanted to take Yoga but just do not have the time? Online schooling gives you the flexibility to have a more enriched life.

Are you convinced yet? I bet you are signing up for online classes right now. It sure can make your life easier and learning more enjoyable. You get the attention you need and deserve from your teacher, you can go at your own pace, and you do your work at any time with online learning. What more could you want? Instead of just being passed from teacher to teacher, class-to-class, and grade-to-grade you have the opportunity to learn better, have more time, and have less stress from school. I do not know what I would do without my online classes. I probably would have dropped out of school out of frustration. So, come on and join the adventure that is online learning. We will be waiting for you.