With much of the world embracing e-learning in some form this school year, families are increasingly looking to virtual study as a way to supplement or even replace traditional classroom learning. In this article, we break down some of the key advantages of e-learning, as well as the specific types of students who may benefit most from an online approach.
Learn at Your Pace
Compared to a traditional day-school, virtual high schools allow students added flexibility in determining their learning pace. Some students may look to fast-track their education in order to graduate sooner, making online schools, like Ontario Virtual School, which allows for credit completion in as little as four weeks, the ideal option. A different student may struggle with the heavy workload of a course like ENG4U and opt for an online school, like Ontario Virtual School, that will allow them up to a year to complete the credit.
Accessibility
With no geographic boundaries, one of the main advantages of e-learning is that it is accessible from anywhere in the world. With increased travel restrictions, studying in another country is simply not an option for many this year. E-learning eliminates these physical restrictions, allowing individuals from all over the world to complete the courses or training they’re interested in. Those who have disabilities or mental health concerns that make it difficult for them to be present in a classroom environment can also continue their educational development through online courses.
Mobility
Another key factor that has generated great appeal to online learning methods is its mobility. E-learning gives students the opportunity to study at any place and at any time, accommodating the learning experience to suit their individual needs. Today’s learners crave a personalized, mobile approach to education, and this is exactly what e-learning provides.
Eliminate Classroom Anxiety
Some students find traditional classrooms to be distracting and even disempowering. Students who suffer from anxiety or learning difficulties and who are unable to keep pace with the rest of the classroom may begin to resent the learning experience, causing an even greater divide. Statistics Canada reports that 3.2% of all Canadian children suffer from some form of extra obstacle in the form of a learning disability: that’s the equivalent of one child in every school bus in the country. This means that too many young learners will come to associate learning at a traditional day school with feelings of stress, anxiety, and inadequacy. With an independent, self-paced study model, students are free to learn in an environment where they feel comfortable and can seek out additional support without social pressure or resulting feelings of inadequacy.
Reduce Social Pressure
It is an unfortunate reality that 1 in every 3 Canadian students report a past experience with bullying. These experiences can often lead to negative associations between physical school spaces and victimhood. Victims of targeted bullying may even begin to fear attending school entirely. Students who have been bullied may react to this fear or unease by making a habit of ‘cutting class,’ while others may simply try to ‘fade into the background’, socially distancing themselves from all key aspects of the school experience, including in-class teaching. Fortunately, e-Learning offers a space for victims of bullying and peer pressure to tackle their coursework from a safe, remote space at a pace that increases their sense of confidence and accountability to themselves as learners.
Whether students attend virtual school to earn a few final credits or opt to make the shift entirely, students who have tried e-Learning often note the change to be one of empowerment. So, what are you waiting for? Start your research today!