In this modern age, technology is everywhere and this generation of students has come to witness a vast amount of technological advancements during their lifetimes. Many use these developments to their advantage, including within the school system.
More and more, schools make learning tools available online. A recent trend is the creation of online universities. According to the Government Accountability Office’s Education Department assistant director, Kris Nguyen, online universities cater largely toward working adults or those in the military, who do not have time to physically attend classes. However, that does not mean high school and college bound students do not have a need for, or access to, online resources.
Nguyen said although it is less common, younger students will enroll in online classes if they have to work either full or part time .
“Students that have to work, or have busy schedules will sometimes take online classes to obtain the necessary credits to graduate,” said Nguyen. “Oftentimes, younger students will want to take those classes online because they wouldn’t have time for them otherwise.”
Aside from online universities, high school students also have access to online textbooks, catalogues, teaching tutorials and even classes. Senior Maria Perica, who has recently been applying for colleges, finds online tools to be beneficial.
“I think that [classes] should be based more on online lectures,” said Perica. “The [online teaching tutorials] are helpful because you can just watch the video until you get it [and] they show you examples.”
MCPS also offers eLearning, a program in which students are eligible to register and take online classes outside of the school day or during the summer. Many of these classes offered are required by the county in order to graduate, including Foundations of Technology and Health. Each class requires two to three face-to-face meetings and a tuition fee that varies depending on the course. Additionally, select AP courses are also available through the Maryland Virtual School (MVS) program.
Sophomore Suma Cheru took the MCPS online health class this past summer, and had a positive experience.
“Overall, the class was pretty great,” said Cheru. “The class was different from normal classes during the school year because we only met a total of two times face to face, and all of our projects were turned in via email.”
Both Perica and sophomore Jonathan Karpatkin also agreed that taking certain classes online has its advantages. Perica took health over the summer, and Karpatkin added that he has been thinking of doing so as well.
“I [would] probably take [an online class] if I needed the credit,” said Karpatkin. “[Taking health during the school year] isn’t worth one semester of [another class]. I only need a half credit to graduate. For something like that, I think taking it online is a perfectly fine option.”
WJ counselor Joe Thompson said having online classes available can make school life and schedule management more convenient for students.
“It really helps a lot of students be able to open up their schedule during the school year so they can take better academic classes or other electives that they couldn’t take otherwise,” said Thompson. “I think for that, it serves a really good purpose.”
Thompson also added that a MCPS online learning program has been made available catering specifically to seniors who are seeking to fulfill any remaining course requirements they need to graduate.
“[MCPS] created a new online program for seniors called Online Pathway to Graduation,” said Thompson. “It sort of came out of how night school and Saturday school used to be offered, but they were dropped by the county due to budget cuts.”
Thompson said this program has been effective in aiding students who were short a few credits, such as those for English or math. However, he finds these classes more credible largely because they are created and regulated by the county. Additionally, he advised a student should only take online classes when it is necessary.
Cheru mentioned some of the disadvantages of taking an online class.
“I didn’t really get to form a relationship with my teacher and fellow students during the course as I normally would have during the school year,” she said.
And while there are many credible online classes and universities available, Thompson added the credibility of some companies can be questionable. He advised for students looking to take online classes to research and be aware of what company is offering the course.
“I have a bit of skepticism about online classes [outside of MCPS] because I’m not sure how well they can be regulated,” said Thompson. “I think there are a lot of companies out there . . . that are very much for profit.”
Perica added another reason she is hesitant about online schools is because she feels “a lot of online schools are lower caliber schools.”
On the other hand, although Cheru believes she is unprepared for taking rigorous academic courses online right now, she is open to online classes for her college years.
“By the time of college, I feel like I would be prepared in learning to approach most things on my own without the help of a teacher guiding me through every step, which I need now in high school,” she said.