Online classes open opportunities for students

In 2014, CareerBuilder conducted a survey to determine the qualities employers valued the most in interview candidates.

Among the highest-ranking qualities included the presence of a strong work ethic, dependability, internal motivation, and organization. Coincidentally, all of these traits are imperative to student success in online classes.

Several students at Lind-Ritzville High School (LRHS) are building character traits through online classes this year. Most students will be working through Spokane Virtual Learning (SVL), while others are operating through The American Academy.

Each student has their own purpose for enrolling in an online course.

According to SVL, 49 percent of participants choose to enroll in the program for the ability to work at their own pace. Other popular motivations are founded on the flexibility and opportunities online classes offer to students.

Among the benefits of online classes, the website for SVL lists the ability for students to review material as often as necessary, to participate in advanced classes not otherwise available, to better correlate with unique learning style, or to retrieve a credit from a course required for graduation.

Regarding scenarios when an online class is preferable to a physical classroom’s counterpart, Thomas McNeiece, a math instructor for SVL, explained, “I don’t think there is a set formula for when one should be taken over the other. I think factors like time and location often play a big role in why students choose online classes over physical classrooms.”

McNeiece added, “SVL offers courses that would not be available for some students in some locations. Likewise, since the classes are online, students who have other conflicts during their school day may be able to take a class they wouldn’t otherwise be able to take.”

Due to scheduling conflicts, LRHS student Emily Rosen is enrolled in Spanish through SVL this year.

She explained, “It’s something I have to do in order to achieve my goals, [namely] getting into a four year university.”

“I like the set-up of the program,” said Tessa O’Brien of her Spanish class through The American Academy. “I like that I can go at my own pace. It’s a lot of reading, but then the assignments are short, sweet, and get the point across.”

Of his involvement with SVL, McNeiece said, “I believe in the importance of alternative forms of learning and wanted to help create access for alternative learning environments.”

Any learning environment, independent and online or interactive in a classroom, requires effort by the student in order to succeed.

McNeiece explained, “Many times success in a classroom, online or otherwise, is strongly influenced by the students’ knowledge of how to achieve, paired with the ability to access what will help them achieve it.”

According to McNeiece, success in online classrooms compares to success in traditional classrooms in that “success must be carefully measured, mainly because success to one person is not the same to another.”

Also a factor in success of students taking classes online is motivation. The website for SVL invites prospective students to consider methods that are most effective for them prior to enrolling.

They explained, “Online learning is not for everyone. One of the misconceptions that students have is that online learning is an easier route. Online learning is a more flexible route but it is not easier.”

SVL continued, “If [students] are not self-motivated, then this is not the place for [them]. Students are responsible for their own learning.”

Online classes are opening new opportunities this year for LRHS students. Regardless of differences between virtual and traditional courses, with strong work ethics from students the result at the end of 180 days can still be the same: success.