Completing a High School Diploma Online

Completing a high school diploma online can offer advantages as well as challenges. With the growing popularity of distance learning and the prevalence of computers, some parents are allowing students this option. Taking classes from home can be a safe and convenient alternative to traditional high schools. However factors like cost, social isolation and self-motivation should be considered when making a choice.

Cost

Although some school districts are beginning to offer some free online courses, there are few totally free online high school programs available nationwide. Parents should be prepared to pay the equivalent of a private school tuition for an online learning program. The expense of a tutor for more difficult material should also be considered.

Safety

Violence, bullying and negative peer pressure are all factors affecting student success. Behavior issues and overcrowded classrooms mean less time spent with students who may need extra help or bright students who need more challenging material. Online high school programs resolve these issues. Students are better able to focus on the material without the distractions of a noisy or disruptive environment.

Pacing

Pacing is an issue that online schooling tackles. In a virtual classroom, the student is able to work at his or her own pace. Lessons can be structured so that more time is spent on challenging material and less on easier material. In a traditional classroom, the student who has mastered the material cannot advance beyond what the teacher has prepared for the whole class.

Self-Motivation

Students who study online need a good degree of self-motivation. There is no teacher prodding them to complete assignments. The best online programs offer a rigorous academic program with strict deadlines and penalties for missed or late assignments. The good news is that students who have the discipline to complete a high school diploma online are often better prepared for the college experience.

Social Isolation

Some cite social isolation as a negative of online learning. However, the best programs offer an opportunity for students to take part in chat room discussions, Skye sessions and teleconferencing. In this way, a student is able to go far beyond his or her own community and reach out to a wider community of students. Students expand their learning about diverse communities with different cultural experiences.

Qualified Instructors

Unlike local schools who are often limited to choosing teachers from nearby communities, virtual schools recruit teachers nationwide with a variety of experiences and backgrounds. Additionally, virtual schools are less hampered by local restrictions and union regulations. Teachers are encouraged to be creative in presenting material to fit the individual student. Furthermore, in some of the best programs, students have 24 hour per day and seven day a week access to assignments, resources and support.

Expert Instruction

For parents who are home schoolers, virtual high school programs are ideal. While most parents are competent at lower levels of education, high school presents advanced and specialized courses in foreign languages, science, math, literature and more. Few parents are experts in every specialized field. Online access brings expertise into the home school realm. Students can even take advanced placement courses which give them credit for college material.

Conclusion

While online learning at the high school level is still quite new, it shows promise for many parents who are facing issues with local schools.

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