As technology advances, online education becomes more and more popular. Pre-pandemic, roughly 375,000 K-12 students were enrolled in full-time online schools in the 2018-19 school year, according to a report from the Digital Learning Collaborative.
This number is only going to continue to grow as people become more comfortable with the idea of getting an education online. So what is online education? And why are so many people choosing it? And what are some of the best ways for online students to thrive in this environment?
Online education includes fully online courses, where you attend all lectures and complete all assignments online, as well as blended learning programs, which combine both traditional classrooms and online courses.
Some benefits of online education may include the following:
Affordability
A significant benefit of online education is that it often provides more affordable options than traditional schools. Since there are fewer overhead costs associated with running an online school, most online programs are able to charge less for their courses. This means that you can often get a quality education without having to pay as much as you would at a traditional private middle or high school.
Wider Range of Subjects
Online courses are available for just about every subject, from art to science to business. So if you’re not sure what you want to study or if you want to learn something that’s not offered at your local college, online education may be the perfect solution for your child. This learning style, coupled with a socially active community, promotes the teachings of the 4 C’s of learning. This includes creativity, critical thinking, communication & collaboration. Why are they called 21st-century skills? The answer is simple: they are the set of skills 21st-century workforce leaders consider the most important skills in leaders, entrepreneurs, and ideal employees.
Convenience
With online education, you can access your course materials from anywhere in the world – all you need is an internet connection. This makes it an easy choice for students who travel or have busy lives. However, despite these benefits, online education does come with some challenges. Additionally, it can be difficult to figure out what resources are available to help you succeed in your online classes, especially since some offerings often don’t come with a built-in support system like traditional schools do. At Sora, students are guided by faculty to complete interest-based projects with influence from learning experts each step of the way to shape the goal from beginning to end.
So how can online students best overcome these challenges and thrive in their online courses? Here are a few tips to help you succeed:
Stay Organized & Motivated
Since online classes don’t come with the structure of a physical classroom, it’s crucial to stay on top of your coursework and ensure that you’re completing everything on time. This can include setting reminders for yourself, using a planner or calendar, and taking advantage of online resources like course forums or chat rooms where you can get help from your teachers and classmates.
Connect With Classmates
Although online education does not usually have the same face-to-face interaction that you would find in a traditional classroom, it is still important to reach out and connect with your classmates. Online courses allow you to join online forums, chat with peers in similar classes, and schedule one-on-one video calls with other students in your program. Students at Sora can (and often do!) connect with classmates who live in different areas of the country, with different life experiences, different perspectives. Students have found it enriching to have such a large network of friends, all from varying walks of life.
Explore Different Learning Resources
Since different online courses will often come with unique resources and learning materials, it is important to explore and familiarize yourself with what’s available. This can include reading through the course syllabus, checking out online textbooks and materials, finding help pages or learning tutorials, or even taking advantage of “office hours”, where you can ask your teacher questions in real-time.
Whether you’re looking for an affordable, convenient, or flexible way to further your education, online learning can help your student thrive and succeed in their studies. By following these tips, you can set yourself up for success in your online education course, no matter what challenges you may face along the way. Handing the reins to students results in their learning results in several benefits, such as deeper learning, encouraging exploration, and increasing self-awareness.
Interested In Learning More?
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