Online learning has become the norm for students of all ages now as we explore different platforms, video conferencing methods and ways to complete work. It began as a necessity, but now families are starting to see the added benefits of online learning – especially for students in high school. There are many students who learn better in person – especially if they have trouble focusing or getting tasks done. But then we have our achievers. Students who know what they want, have a lot to do and just want to get things done. Online learning opens a portal to opportunity. It provides many benefits – five of which we will discuss here.
Learn From
Anywhere
Small Class Sizes
with 1 to 1 Support
Graduate
Earlier
Choose Courses
Not Even Offered
in Day School
Upgrading High
School Courses Online
One of the many perks of enrolling in an Ontario online private school is obvious – the ability to learn from any setting. Although travelling may be something in the near future (we hope!) – many students who travel, or parents who travel.
Some students move or don’t have a pre-set address. What we see most commonly, are students who are in competitive sports. They travel a lot and need to be in different provinces at different times of the year. This poses a challenge
– sports or education?
We certainly don’t want to have to force students to choose between their passion and education. We don’t want students to have to give up something they hold close to them, or feel disadvantaged due to
anything out of their control. This is where Benefit #1 of an online high school comes in.
We’re in a day and age where wifi can be accessed from anywhere as long as you have a device and a working webcam and audio. Whatever subject you want to enroll in – whether it be math, biology, chemistry or even art. With technological developments
in this day and age, there are numerous tools that have been developed to make online learning as accessible and in person.
Students can conduct experiments online, perform, record and upload their work or assignment submissions.
Books and course texts are all online now as well and this allows students to work more efficiently, rather than using outdated material.
This is characteristic of some of the best online schools in Ontario – they focus on the quality of learning rather than the quantity of students who can be “stuffed” into one class. Large class sizes and the inability to connect with their teachers is one of the main challenges students experience when in their day schools. In a room full of 30 students and one teacher, and 75 minute periods, how likely is a student to receive the support they need?
Learning is best done through collaboration and open communication – whatever the age of the student may be. We have questions when we learn and how on earth are we supposed to get them answered in a room of 30 other students? This is why so many of our students “slip through the cracks.” The many many cracks in communication that come from a class that is too full to foster a quality learning environment impacts mainly the student. The student who has no choice but to stay enrolled in this course because they need the credit.
Quality learning opens the door to many opportunities to learn and raises the chance of success for each student in the class. Is this not what every student, teacher and parent want?
When enrolled in an online high school, of course
it’s important to clarify if class sizes are small (classes at Profectus Academy are capped at 10) to ensure you know what your child is enrolling for. Additionally, it is important to double check if there is a LIVE teacher, or rather
– synchronous learning taking place. With asynchronous learning, it becomes a challenge to handle if the student does not have effective self-regulation or study skills.
When it comes to asynchronous learning, students need to be able to meet deadlines on their own, manage their time and workload and meet pre-set goals. However with synchronous classes that are also small in size – students will be able to see the true impact of a quality online high school.
Graduation is the goal – no? Students start thinking about post-secondary education sometimes even before they head into school. We dream and re-dream about specific goals, professions and pathways. All of which usually require an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. So why not graduate earlier?
Graduating earlier is more than possible in a school that offers Quad Masters – or in layman’s terms – 4 semesters throughout September to June. This allows students to take more courses and get ahead, or simply take more courses
so they can learn more.
We find that our students usually opt to take more courses because they have not yet finalized what program they want to take in University or College and would like to ensure that they are prepared
for whichever pathway they decide to embark in in the future.
Quad mesters allow students to do more in the time they have and it’s very much possible when paired with small class sizes. It allows students to get quality learning and even more so, take more from the class in half the time as the conventional
5 month semester.
One worry or rather point of concern that does arise is with how fast the course may progress. However when there is a quality learning environment with one to one support from the teacher, a student is less likely
to be left behind. If a student’s marks start to drop – we jump on board and support them by offering accommodations, contacting parents, offering more time and identifying where a student needs the support.
Small classes are not the answer to every point of concern – however this is one of the main ways we are able to proactively offer quality learning that will in response support all kinds of learners. These learners will then be able to succeed in their courses and graduate earlier.
Now this is certainly one of the main benefits – especially when it comes to prerequisite courses for University and College. In many cases we have had students come to us and complete courses online after being turned away from their school boards. Public schools have specific quotas to meet and students who need to be in the class to validate the hiring of a teacher and all the additional expenses. Unfortunately this means some courses may get full and additional sections are not a possibility or as we mentioned before – larger class sizes. Students are left hanging for courses they need and unfortunately are not able to meet specific expectations set out by the postsecondary institutions of their choice. This was not a huge challenge to begin with – however with the rising number of students and limited amount of funding being sent to public education, a drop in quality and opportunities for students is inevitable
Students also don’t realise the wide wide range of courses that are available to them. Did you know there is a course on social justice? Courses like these are not usually scheduled to run due to a low enrollment. Students lose the opportunity
to learn from these rich courses which empower them with more knowledge and the tools to succeed.
Universities and colleges are looking for more and more ways to set students apart, since there are so many of them. More students
are going on to post secondary education these days than before and it’s reflective of the careers and opportunities in our world. The focus on technology, business and jobs in general that require prior knowledge have changed the
playing field from when their parents may have been to school.
These unique courses empower students to stand apart from the norm. These courses allow students to submit a portfolio and write letters of intent that shine and set them apart from the usual path to postsecondary education. Now we just need to make sure we offer students the opportunities to learn.
Finally, many of us need a second chance. In life, very few things come with our first try. There are mitigating factors and life happens. So you might not have been able to earn the mark you wanted and need to succeed. This is where upgrading
courses help.
Upgrading high school courses online is the solution to ensuring you can continue with your courses and earn the marks you need to succeed.
When enrolled in an online high school to upgrade your course, you’re sure to meet your goals – especially if you’re in a small class and are able to get the one to one support you need. This is most likely why you did not
do as well initially in the course.
When upgrading a course, you want to ensure you don’t make the same mistakes you made the first time around. You want to make sure your questions are clarified and you receive the support you need. With this in mind – is it a good idea to enroll in an upgrading course of 30 students?
Make your upgrading courses count with the quality of learning you need. Let’s accept the fact that most of us are not perfect at everything, however you might just really need the Grade 12 Data Management course even though statistics is not your cup of tea. Armed with this insight, it’s best to ensure you’re setting yourself up for success with the necessary supports. Some students sign up with a Tutor and then remain in large classes. However this will only take you so far and you may find yourself in an upgrading course. If this is the case, make sure you don’t put yourself in the same situation with a large class and lack of support as you try and earn some additional marks.
The benefits are ongoing when it comes to enrolling in an online high school – and more specifically, an Ontario online private school. Private schools come with the added promise of quality which you have control over. Whereas, when we’re following a pre-set system, in this case the public education system – there are fewer opportunities to grow and move and be different. There are also more challenges when it comes to meeting specific learning accommodations your child might need to succeed. Not every child works in the same way. We all know this. We’ve all seen the coming with the animals and the tree. But the larger the system, the harder it is to accommodate. This is where online private high schools might come in handy.
The benefits are ongoing when it comes to enrolling in an online high school – and more specifically, an Ontario online private school. Private schools come with the added promise of quality which you have control over. Whereas, when we’re
following a pre-set system, in this case the public education system – there are fewer opportunities to grow and move and be different.
There are also more challenges when it comes to meeting specific learning accommodations
your child might need to succeed. Not every child works in the same way. We all know this. We’ve all seen the coming with the animals and the tree. But the larger the system, the harder it is to accommodate. This is where online private
high schools might come in handy.
However each student’s learning experience will vary based on the schools they are enrolled in. It’s up to each student and their families to do their research and enroll in the institutions that best meet their needs. For example, if learning
skills is a challenge, it’s important to place your child in a smaller class for the individualized support they need. If your child has large goals and can’t wait to meet them – make sure you offer them the opportunity to work at the pace
that fits them and offer a wide range of courses for them to pick and choose from.
The world if their oyster and online learning is the best method in this technological era to strive for the stars!
