Can Online Learning Be The New Path to Entrepreneurship?

Search Online Courses And Queries About Online Schooling [flexy_breadcrumb] Can Online Learning Be The New Path To Entrepreneurship? As we embark upon a new year, there are several thoughts that come to mind. These thoughts are usually about how the past year has gone by and thoughts about what the future holds for us. As the economy and job growth take center stage, a lot of attention has been cast toward online learning. It is no secret that today we need more entrepreneurs than employees. We need more businesses that create jobs rather than employees seeking jobs. Amidst all the changes taking place around the world, have we stopped to ask ourselves an important question – Where are we heading? 1. A NEW DIRECTION With digital platforms getting more and more importance, it is absolutely clear that online K-12 courses are the way forward. These courses are beneficial to our children in so many ways. Not only do they help overcome several challenges faced by our traditional education system but they also help our students go much beyond the usual learning curve. In a digital age, that can prove to be extremely useful in helping our children overcome their fear of the unknown. While change can be a hard thing, it can also hold a lot of promise. Online schools have been growing rapidly over the last decade mainly due to increased demand from students for independent learning. It’s true that several students have employed online learning along with their regular course of study. But their increased acceptance of the learning methodologies and their increased appetite for independent learning suggest their desire to pursue online avenues as standalone options. Several schools offer a wide range of online K-12 courses that make online platforms extremely versatile. While students have the freedom to choose individual courses they wish to study, they can also opt for online learning as a standalone option. Degrees and diplomas earned from accredited online schools are widely accepted by colleges and universities, as well as when pursuing employment opportunities. 2. WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER ONLINE K-12 COURSES If the digital revolution isn’t enough to convince you to opt for online schools, consider the numerous other factors that work in your favor. For starters, the costs associated with online avenues are only a fraction of those associated with setting up conventional schools. With education costs increasing, this is a major factor that works in your favor. The next most important aspect is access to qualified teachers. This is an important factor that determines the setting up of a traditional school, and can sometimes prove to be the main reason for not setting up one. With online schools, students can interact with qualified teaching professionals from practically any part of the world. Not only does this work in favor of students but it also helps teachers have access to a much larger student base beyond physical boundaries. In an online high school, students have the flexibility to alter the pace of learning. This has proved to be immensely beneficial since boredom has been cited as the major factor for students dropping out of school. Being unable to cope with the overall pace of learning set for the entire class causes students to lose interest and eventually perform poorly. Such students have shown remarkable progress with e-learning systems primarily due to the level of independence provided to them. They no longer feel the pressure to cope with their peers and are free to pose questions in an environment that is free from public ridicule. When looked at in a holistic manner, such online avenues provide students with an environment that is conducive to learning as opposed to studying just for the sake of grades. Time is another important factor that plays an important role in deciding whether to opt for online learning. As the pace of life keeps increasing, it has become extremely vital that we manage what time we have in an efficient manner. All things considered, it cannot be denied that traveling does take its toll on our energy levels and most certainly affects our productivity. However, when online avenues are employed, they can save us a lot of time in addition to the money spent on travel. While there are several additional benefits of using e-learning, these are only some of the important ones for you to consider. As a side note, it is absolutely vital that you pick an accredited online school when enrolling for online K-12 courses. Selecting a school with the right accreditation can make all the difference when you are awarded your high school diploma. 3. HOW CAN ONLINE LEARNING BOOST ENTREPRENEURSHIP? Once you understand the numerous advantages online platforms have to offer, it isn’t difficult to connect the dots. E-learning platforms help nurture a sense of independence in our children at a very young age. For entrepreneurs, this is the most important core value. It helps them think for themselves as opposed to subscribe to a predefined school of thought. When trying to move forward, it is more important to try and envision what could be rather than focus on what has been. While the past is important, reflecting on it should only serve as a guide to building a brighter future. Online learning also offers students the freedom they need to explore their course material more thoroughly. The benefit of having this freedom cannot be overstated. In an age characterized by rapid changes, this freedom can make all the difference when providing children with the confidence to explore uncharted territory versus watching them resign to the familiar. Entrepreneurs need to be bold and they need to find their own path. By helping them learn on their own at a very young age, e-learning platforms help instill in them the confidence they need and a sense of self-reliance. In the long run, this is sure to help them develop the right skills they need to survive in a tough competitive environment. With

What Would You like Your Child to be – An Entrepreneur or an Employee?

Should I Let My Child Go to an Online School? A Parent's Guide to Making the Decision

Search Online Courses And Queries About Online Schooling [flexy_breadcrumb] What Would You Like Your Child To Be – An Entrepreneur Or An Employee? This is probably the most important question you can ask yourself as a parent. As we brace ourselves for a new year that promises to be filled with life-altering changes, we need to evaluate our personal plans and strategies. A more important aspect to consider is that online schools across the country are slated to be an important part of those changes. With education costs constantly on the rise, online avenues are not only more viable economically but they are also more feasible in terms of infrastructure. The entire process of setting up a virtual learning platform is much simpler and more cost-effective than that required to set up a conventional, brick-and-mortar school. 1. EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY The most important factor in considering the adoption of online schools is the way they employ technology. Today, children are a lot more aware of their surroundings and events taking place not just here in America but around the world as well. While a lot of people lament the ills of being hyper-connected to the internet, there are other advantages that they tend to overlook. With access to the internet, our children are a lot more informed and they seem to have a tendency to learn quickly. In keeping with these trends, virtual learning platforms have provided them with environments that make it much easier for them to learn and earn their high school diploma. After all, a good education provides for a sound foundation for all students. Ensuring that their fundamental steps are in the right direction is every parent’s responsibility. With the rise of cutting-edge technology, we can no longer ignore the numerous possibilities that lie before us. It’s true that the possibilities indeed are limitless. Technology has revolutionized the way we live our lives. While most are astonished at the pace of change we’ve witnessed in the last few years, there are others who believe that the best is yet to come. Technological advancements provide us with the kind of leverage we need to be more productive and achieve better results. It is this fundamental basis that separates online schools from traditional ones. In addition to the significant cost advantages of online platforms, there are several other major benefits to being able to learn online versus learning in a brick-and-mortar classroom. 2. EMPLOYEE VS. ENTREPRENEUR – WHICH ONE IS BETTER? While answering the question above may be very difficult, it is an important one when looked at in an objective manner. A high school diploma is important because everyone should have a basic educational foundation. When answering this question, one isn’t necessarily better than the other. It is a matter of core values and skill sets one develops over the years. Not everyone wants to be an entrepreneur. After all, owning and running a business does require a lot of time and effort, and not everyone is cut out to be one. But virtual learning platforms have certainly made pursuing that path a lot easier today than even a few years ago. Setting up a business today doesn’t require a lot of investment capital as it once did. With the internet, accessing huge markets can be achieved in a matter of days where it once took months. A more critical way of looking at this would require analyzing the pros and cons of each. In a time when job security seems to be steadily vanishing, starting up your own business seems like the more preferred option. While that sounds good, there is a lot that goes into starting up and running a business. That is where online schools play a vital role. They are helping students get exposed to different ways of learning and helping them explore their course material in unimaginable ways, which in turn is leading students to discover new ways of doing things. 3. THE ROLE OF ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORMS With rapidly changing technology, the ability to look at things differently and come up with new ways of doing old things can be priceless. Online learning platforms are helping students develop new skills that are necessary to succeed in our technologically advanced world. Adaptability is a new-age skill set everyone should have. There is no way we can expect our children to succeed without having an open mind and the willingness to learn new things and change accordingly. Change has always and will always be a part of our lives. However, the pace of change has surprised many. With virtual learning platforms at our disposal, adapting to those changes just got much easier for all of us. It’s true that learning online isn’t just for students anymore. There are several large corporations and small companies that are increasingly taking to online avenues to conduct their in-house training courses. Online courses make it a lot easier to carry out independent learning and they provide for a more flexible learning environment. With the help of online K-12 courses, earning a high school diploma is much easier than before. Conventional challenges like boredom and loss of interest can be overcome by engaging students with more interactive and stimulating content. They are no longer required to sit and listen to hours of lectures, which recent studies have shown is slowly proving to be a highly ineffective way to impart education. Students want to be taught in an engaging manner that is similar to the online experiences they have via social networking sites and mobile apps. If we are to help them get ahead, we need to leverage technology in the right way to get there. 4. WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD? At the end of the day, online learning platforms aren’t just about earning a high school diploma. There are several significant advantages they offer over conventional learning methodologies. Additionally, they also provide for a more holistic learning environment as opposed to traditional classrooms. Overall, virtual learning avenues

Is Online Homeschooling The Future of Our Education System?

Search Online Courses And Queries About Online Schooling [flexy_breadcrumb] Is Online Homeschooling The Future Of Our Education System? Our society has progressed immensely in terms of imparting education to our children. While we were once a society dominated by brick-and-mortar classrooms, 21st century schools are now dominated by technology. This brings us to the next important question – “Is online homeschooling the future of our education system?” THE IMPACT OF CHANGING LIFESTYLES As our lives become more fast-paced, time is an asset we cannot afford to waste. With online schools, students and parents are no longer required to travel long distances just to get to school. They have the flexibility to enroll for courses online and complete these courses at their own pace from the comfort of their own homes. With the help of technology, flexibility in terms of delivering education has achieved new heights. Students who weren’t able to access a good education on account of geographical constraints can now access some of the best teachers and qualified staff to help them get a quality education. Given our current hectic lifestyles, flexibility plays an important role in helping students earn their high school diploma. As course curriculum gets more complex and even more challenging in the face of changing circumstances, parents no longer have the time to devote to help their children cope with the pressures of learning their course content. They need solutions that will help them teach their children in a more comprehensive manner without having to spend long hours with them. Online homeschooling allows them to do that in a manner that ensures that they are there for their children when they need them. With unparalleled flexibility, parents can now schedule study time around their work schedules so that their work commitments are not hampered in any way. As corporate life gets more stressful, being able to meet work expectations as well as devote sufficient time to helping their children learn their course content is a great advantage for every parent in the 21st century. WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE ONLINE HOMESCHOOLING Globalization is a word we have all become accustomed to. It is the reason we face so much uncertainty in our world today. With jobs being outsourced to countries with cheaper labor and technological advances replacing jobs right here at home, we can no longer afford to continue imparting the same words of wisdom to our children. Their world is changing rapidly and we need to prepare them for what lies ahead. With changing technologies and rapidly changing circumstances, the ones who are able to adapt are the ones will not only survive but thrive in the 21st century, and one way to do that is by embracing online homeschooling. Online schools design course content in a manner that is designed to teach students how to learn independently. In today’s world of rapidly changing information, the ability to constantly learn and adapt is priceless. It is probably the only thing that can help hold them in good stead in the future. Faced by immense economic uncertainty, our children need to develop skills sets required by the industry. Unfortunately, our current education system that is based on old ideas no longer prepares them for what is needed in today’s job market. In addition to course curriculum being modified to suit current industry expectations, the manner in which that information is delivered also needs to be changed. A high school diploma is more important today than ever before. Traditionally, it was sufficient to help people secure a decent well-paying job. However, today it is the basic and minimum requirement stipulated by the industry to apply for a decent job with a steady paycheck. Even in such a scenario, with less and less job security, students need to develop additional skill sets that will help them weather the storm that is about to hit us. PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE Our children can no longer depend on old school ideas handed down through the generations. They need to develop new ideas that will help them succeed in a brave new world. Technology has produced more millionaires and more billionaires than even before in history. To help our children cope with changing times, we need to explore all possibilities such as online schools. Such avenues are tailored to their needs and are designed to help them learn in an independent manner that is self-paced and conducive to each individual student’s learning. Being able to learn independently and free from ridicule is a major boon few learning environments can offer. In addition to helping students earn their high school diploma, online learning environments help them adjust to the new online world we are all increasingly becoming an integral part of. That day isn’t far off when practically every aspect of our lives will be related to the digital world online. We need to be prepared for that. More importantly, our children need to be prepared to face that world. If we do not take action today, there may be little we can do when it gets too late. All things considered, online schools serve as the ideal alternative to traditional schooling. They offer a much better learning environment, have much lower costs (both set up and running), and are flexible and easy to use in ways we could never have imagined. The best way to understand how an online learning environment works is to see it firsthand. There are certain online schools that offer online demo applications so that parents and students can get a firsthand feel of how the environment looks and functions. It isn’t very different from the typical apps we use. Online homeschooling environments are a lot similar to the social networking sites and apps we are already used to. In fact, they seek to build upon existing user experiences to deliver a seamless online user experience for the learning apps they design. As technology advances, you can be sure that earning a high school diploma will only get easier.

Are We Asking The Right Questions About Online Homeschooling?

Search Online Courses And Queries About Online Schooling [flexy_breadcrumb] There is absolutely no doubt that technological innovation is causing our world to change more rapidly than ever before. With so much evidence in sight, it isn’t hard to understand why parents now prefer online learning programs to traditional classroom teaching. But the real question we need to ponder is this – “Are we really asking the right questions about Online Homeschooling?” THE RISE OF ONLINE SCHOOLS There has been an unprecedented increase in the use of online learning programs over the last decade. Both parents and students now prefer adapting to the online version of learning as opposed to continuing with the conventional way of learning, which involves attending a physical brick-and-mortar school. The key to understanding this change in approach lies in our mindsets. If we can only take the time to evaluate online platforms with an open mind, we would be able to see all its potential benefits more clearly. Another important reason why online schools now score over traditional ones is that traditional schools seem to be falling behind in terms of preparing our children for the future. There are so many technological changes facing us today that our academic system seems unprepared to handle. Our old-school teaching methodologies are just not going to get the job done anymore. We need to wake up and pursue more holistic approaches to ensure that our children get the education they need and develop the skill sets the corporate world will demand in a few years. Enrolling their children in online schools offers parents other benefits as well. With the volume of homework, students are assigned increasing every year, there is very little time left for children to actually enjoy other extracurricular activities or spend time with their families. This, in turn, seems to have a detrimental effect on their academic progress as well as social life. OVERCOMING THE ODDS A fast-paced lifestyle today is no longer an exception; it has become the norm. We come across parents every single day who are rushed all the time. This can also be observed with school children these days. They seem to be rushing from class to class trying to cram in as much as they can in a single day of study. It’s no wonder they are extremely exhausted at the end of the day and have little energy for anything else. During such difficult times, online schools offer us a viable alternative to help our children cope with rapidly changing times while allowing them to devote time and energy to what’s important in their lives. Online learning platforms provide them with the flexibility they need to schedule study time according to their own convenience. This allows them to vary the pace of the course according to their own individual abilities and helps them explore their course content in a more comprehensive manner. What’s more important is that they can do so in an environment that is completely stress-free and free from ridicule in case they make mistakes. It is important that our children learn how to make mistakes and learn from them. That is how we are designed to learn after all. The issue with studying in a classroom full of students is that children are more likely to keep quiet than ask questions for fear of being ridiculed in front of their peers. This is a big obstacle in conventional learning environments, which online schools have managed to overcome. For parents seeking to play an active role in the education of their child, online homeschooling offers them the perfect solution. They can always schedule study time around their work schedules so as to not disrupt their professional commitments. Furthermore, they save up on travel time, which allows them to have more family time, not to mention the added savings in terms of fuel, money, time and energy. A WORD OF ADVICE Finally, here’s a small piece of advice. Online homeschooling is a great alternative if you’re looking for more flexibility and versatility in terms of learning options. However, if you’re seeking to resolve behavioral issues or other social issues (such as incidents related to bullying), this may not be the ideal way to go. While online learning platforms do offer you a host of options to help your children with their education, they also come with a lot of riders. The course curriculum may be flexible and allow for the varying of the pace of learning but it is no way easier than the curriculum offered by traditional schools. Students are still required to go through a rigorous education process to earn their online high school diplomas. The advantage they have is that they have a number of different alternatives to choose from in terms of courses and electives. Options that were once considered out of their reach are now easier to access and affordable as well. This allows students to take on options of their choice when pursuing their high school diploma but in no way makes it any easier for them in terms of the amount of effort they have to put in or the credit scores they need to achieve. While it can be easy to get lost amidst the numerous benefits online learning platforms have to offer, it is important to remember that they come with a strict set of guidelines and prerequisites such as learning discipline for them to be effective in a student’s life. If you (as a parent) or your child lacks this discipline, you may not derive the full benefits expected from an online homeschooling environment. Are We Asking The Right Questions About Online Homeschooling? READY TO JOIN?Join Forest Trail Academy today and start learning on your own time and at your own pace.GET STARTED TODAY. APPLY NOW

Why Student Athletes Choose the Online School

Grab Your Second Chance with Virtual Learning: A Path to a Brighter Future

Search Online Courses And Queries About Online Schooling [flexy_breadcrumb] Why Student Athletes Choose The Online School In a traditional school, academics is given the topmost priority. It is not shocking. Physical activity is often regarded as a secondary activity. The time allotted for physical activity and other exercises or sports is considerably less and even reduced certain times. This annoys the genuine student athletes who love sports with all their heart! This rigid approach of a traditional school is bound to make the student-athletes to lose interest in their subjects. They might even lose interest in their school or even start hating school as time passes. After all, they do not want their unique dream to get shattered to pieces by the rigid and strict policies of the school. REASONS WHY STUDENT-ATHLETES HATE TRADITIONAL SCHOOLS: Unnecessary rigidity Conventional school setting is all about system and rigidity. Whether it is the learning pace, place, time or schedule, everything is pre-established and is not subject to any changes. This kind of rigidity and set of strict rules makes it extremely taxing for student-athletes to pursue the degree along with their managing own share of sports related training and schedule. Lack of customization School schedules or curriculums are not flexible and open for customization. Every single student needs to follow the generalized schedule at any cost. This aspect might even doom their sports career or dream! Less or no motivation School authority hardly motivates athletes. They solely motivate academically advanced kids and might plan out events or awards ceremonies to honor the bright students only. They do not treat athletics and studies equally. Only a few teachers or peers might be highly supportive of growing athletes. Monotonous classes Traditional schools involve lectures mainly. So, it gets pretty boring for student-athletes after a point of time. By nature, student-athletes are pretty adventurous and get distracted easily. So, this option of formal study environment does not work well for them. Hectic schedule to balance Since the conventional schools do not allow any kind of changes, the courses seem more taxing for student-athletes. It gets near to impossible then to juggle sports practices with mandatory high school course. It might even take a toll on their emotional and mental health. SEVEN REASONS WHY ONLINE SCHOOLS ARE BEST SUITED FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES: They can avail the flexibility Top professional athletes need to train when the coach, pool, playing field, or gymnasium is available. So, they need a self-paced and ultra-flexible mode of learning. This necessity surely does not go in sync with the routine set by a traditional school. Virtual high school students can adapt their learning schedules around their sports and any other such training now, thanks to the online schooling. After all, they shall feel the urge to complete their schoolwork only when it fits their interests and time schedule. They can avail the flexibility Virtual school involves a rigorous training schedule. Thus, even athlete students can pursue a quality education. After all, when they give so much efforts to balance their high school studies with their sports schedule, the education should be worth getting. Good quality education also helps them to create a back up for themselves in future. Ambitious athletes can now have it all. Thus, they need to bother about their acceptance to an excellent college. They can work hard for their goals of trophies and medals along with working on getting a legitimate high school degree. They can avail the courses from any place There are no regional boundaries for online private high schools. Athletes are free to attend school from any location. All they need is a laptop and an Internet signal. They can have the privilege of completing their pending lessons at home, on a plane or bus, in a gym or locker room. Real-time instructions are provided by some virtual schools that allow students to interact with teachers and peers from any location. Their travel won’t be hampered Athletes can now take care of their learning schedule for travel. Athletes might have a lot of bindings or tasks related to their field of sports such as special training, trials, competitions etc. They might even have to make public appearances to avail the power of media or sponsorship. They can discuss the schedule out with their online teachers to benefit them in every possible way. They find it engaging Since online schools make use of multiple formats, platforms and mediums to impart quality education, it never bores them. In fact, they can learn faster and retain information for a longer time period. This certainly works in their favors. This makes their busy schedules less hectic. They might even start enjoying to work with their daily schedules. They can manage time efficiently Sportspersons specifically need special time to reenergize. Same goes for athlete students who are sportsmen in the making. It takes a lot of time, energy and focus to train, practice, and compete on the final day. Moreover, they need sufficient time for sleep, relaxation, family, kid or even meditation sometimes. Online school courses help them to save time for all the other important engagements in their lives. They can get enrolled in advanced coursework There are certain student athletes who might be all-rounders! They might have the fitness of both body and brains! Virtual schools offer multiple customized and advanced courses for this category of students. This includes Honors and AP classes. These courses stimulate above-average student athletes to score well in the final assessments. Taking such specially designed advanced courses boost up the students’ transcripts, making them more attractive to college admissions officers as well as employers. Overall, online schools make it possible for the young talented athletes to pursue a quality education from in the most convenient and safe way. This ensures that their multiple talents are optimized and their emotional well-being is safeguarded. Choosing an online homeschool can be one of the many best decisions of their lives! READY TO JOIN?Join Forest Trail Academy today and start learning on your own time

8 Most Common Questions Parents Ask Teachers about Virtual School

Search Online Courses And Queries About Online Schooling [flexy_breadcrumb] 8 Most Common Questions Parents Ask Teachers About Virtual School Though virtual schooling has already been widely accepted, it is still a new concept, at least for the parents. They have several questions on their minds when it comes to enrolling their children to an online high school. After all, considering something new for your child can be pretty taxing and contemplative. Here is a list of the top 8 common questions that parents ask teachers about virtual high schools along with their consecutive answers: IS THE ENTIRE SCHOOLWORK CONDUCTED ONLINE? In most of the genuine accredited online high schools, the amount of schoolwork completed online highly depends on the student’s level of grade. Elementary as well as middle-school students might find it extremely challenging if the entire course goes virtual. This is kept in mind while designing curriculums for elementary and middle school students. In case of elementary school students, the work is mostly completed offline. At the same time, they are given opportunities to use manipulative and to do other hands-on activities. In case of Middle school students, the work is usually completed by the proper blending of on- and offline work. This is because the middle-school students need to emerge as more independent individuals before starting with their high-school phase. In case of High school students, the entire course is online since they are expected to be independent learners. IS THE CURRICULUM BASED ON THE COMMON CORE–STATE STANDARDS? The online school curriculum usually includes language arts/English, math, science, and social studies courses for each grade. As per the state-specific requirements, the curriculum is adjusted. In case your state has adopted the Common Core State Standards, the curriculum is adjusted based on these set standards. ARE THE TEACHERS ACCESSIBLE EASILY TEACHERS FOR STUDENTS WHO MAY NEED EXTRA HELP? Genuine online schools provide full-time faculty support for their students. Online teachers are usually dedicated towards helping out the students based on one-on-one approach. It is likely for students to come up with several queries. The online teachers are available 24X7 and can afford to resolve the issues faced the students, both academic and non-academic ones. Teachers might conduct an assessment to evaluate strengths and weaknesses. When they get familiar to a student’s learning style, they are able to guide him or her easily. The teachers focus on every student to identify gaps in his or her skills and level of knowledge and help them improve. One of the best things is that teachers can personalize the lesson to fit each student. Online teachers usually make it a point to communicate well with the students through Webmail, phone calls, real-time online sessions and other available platforms. They mainly focus on working one-on-one with the student in case he or she requests help on a specific topic or subject. They also facilitate students by providing additional resources and giving genuine feedbacks instantly based on their performance. ARE THE CREDITS FROM THE STUDENT’S CURRENT SCHOOL TRANSFERRABLE TO AN ONLINE SCHOOL? Usually, the academic placement team works with the parents during the enrollment or transition process to evaluate your student’s previous schooling status. They make sure to determine appropriate grade level and courses as per his or her needs. The high school students generally work with school counselors during the school year to make sure that they graduate on schedule. Starting on time at the beginning of a new school year or semester is considered to be ideal because it heightens the chances for the students to succeed in the true sense. However, many online schools accept midyear enrollees though catching up on missed schoolwork can be pretty challenging. You should make sure to check with the school that you’re looking into for specific cutoff dates! IN A VIRTUAL SCHOOL, IS MORE TIME TAKEN TO LEARN THE CURRICULUM THAN IN TRADITIONAL SCHOOLS? The online school students can avail a high level of flexibility to work at a self-generated pace. This pace is one that suits their needs, learning pattern, objectives and learning style. They need to stay ahead of the schedule in order to complete their course assignments by the end of the year. However, they can take extra time to learn a specific concept or research more on a topic to expand their knowledge. However, if the student is a quick learner, he or she can go at a faster speed to cover up his course and even graduate early! It is completely up to the student. Also, the teachers have the opportunity to take more time to explain the course material in more details, if required by the students. CAN A STUDENT GO AT A FASTER PACE IF HE OR SHE IS ACADEMICALLY-ADVANCED? A well-reputed online school such as the Forest Trail Academy offers multiple opportunities for qualified students to accelerate learning. These opportunities include Advanced Placement and Adaptive/Prescriptive courses etc. These courses usually are designed in a way to provide advanced learners with the right proportion of challenges, complexity, and practicality to develop their academic strengths and unique skills at a whole new level. These specialized courses make sure that they become their best versions. When the student is making breakthrough progress and performing extremely well consistently, the teacher and the school authority might decide to provide him or her with additional opportunities that would accelerate his learning. CAN THE STUDENT SOCIALIZE AT ALL WHEN HE IS TAKING ONLINE CLASSES? The answer is a Yes. A good online high school usually provides the students with a lot of opportunities to socialize. The online curriculum usually includes a lot of fun-filled interactive activities to help the student interact and bond with his or her online peers as well as teachers. Students can form small study-groups to exchange healthy ideas and solve queries together. Also, they can arrange real-time events like field trips to socialize further. DO THE STUDENTS NEED TO BE TECHNICALLY-STRONG IN ORDER TO AVAIL ONLINE COURSES? It does not require the student

4 Signs It’s Time To Make The Switch From Homeschool To Online School

children

Search Online Courses And Queries About Online Schooling [flexy_breadcrumb] 4 Signs It’s Time To Make The Switch From Homeschool To Online School Homeschool as well as online school have both been considered to be feasible alternatives to public and private schools. However, since the virtual element is there in case of an online school, it is a bit more advanced and convenient way of learning when compared to a homeschool. Moreover, since traditional homeschooling demands a lot of parental intervention, it is not always the number one choice for every family. Also, makes it difficult for children to stay motivated and on track. Here are the top 4 signs that indicate that it is the right time to make the switch from homeschool to online school: YOU ARE FEELING THE EXHAUSTION It is likely for you as well as your children to get all worked up when you have been homeschooling since a long time. In fact, it is pretty normal for you to get overwhelmed with homeschooling. Homeschooling can be more than exhausting, especially when you are the one who is loaded with a huge number of responsibilities. Things get worse when you need to juggle other responsibilities like work, caring for younger children, and maintaining a household along with homeschooling your child. Teaching in itself is a challenging task. The challenge gets heightened when you need to deal with multiple subjects while teaching your children. You need to master the subject yourself before teaching the same to your children. When you try to cover a variety of subjects with more than one child, things can get messed up. It gets even more hectic when each child belongs to a different grade! The complexity is humongous! When the other family members are not able or not willing to reduce the load from you, you usually start considering a more convenient way to provide your children with a good-quality education. YOU DO NOT FEEL CONFIDENT ENOUGH TO PLAY A TEACHER Teaching includes art and science in equal parts. Being a proper teacher without having undergone training, can be a more than a challenge. There are many homeschooling parents who even find themselves entangled in a never-ending series of self-doubt. This self-doubt not only lowers the confidence level and self-worth but also worsens the performance in all aspects. However, it does not imply that you are not well educated or do not understand the subject matter. You need to understand that teaching requires adequate training and certain specific tactics for it to be effective on students. After all, teaching is a lot more than just having the bookish knowledge. Teachers who are specialized and certified spend several years in college studying topics like child psychology, cognitive development, teaching theory, instructional design, and more. They are taught as to which curriculum to use, how to adapt materials to the student’s specific learning style, keeping the student challenged and motivated, even if they are academically advanced. They learn how to help children overcome learning difficulties. These are all parts of an ideal formal training for any teacher. Certain times parents, especially those who successfully homeschool for elementary grades might feel the need for a teacher’s assistance when their child transitions to the middle and high school. Most of such parents consider finding a new educational solution to ensure that their students can learn algebra, calculus, world languages, physics, and other higher-level courses. They want to impart a high-quality education to their children that shall condition them to tackle college-level work in future. YOU ARE TOO CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR CHILD When homeschooling, you shall be needed to researching and build up curriculum and learning materials for your children. This process can be pretty taxing as well as overwhelming. It can be easier for some concepts and skills to fall in place when the subject matter increases in difficulty. When your concerns are related to this factor, you might be more comfortable with a virtual school that offers a curriculum developed by education professionals to ensure your student gets a wholesome education. Only a high-quality accredited online school can provide you with access to your student’s lessons, grades, and teachers. This is important for you to evaluate and confirm your child’s progress and nothing else. Also, a virtual homeschool usually offers a higher level of structure and academic support that is lacking in case of homeschooling. YOUR CHILD IS ANYTHING BUT HAPPY The simplest reason for you to switch from homeschooling to online school can be your child’s lack of motivation. Homeschooling might not work for your child at all. It might not be challenging or engaging for your child at all. The worst part is that you might end up blaming yourself for your child’s lack of interest in his homeschooling course. Whether your child is confused, aggravated, bored or showing any other emotion, it can all indicate that it is the right time to switch. Though these emotions are bound to occur occasionally with any form of education, but if these issues turn out to be disturbingly consistent, consider enrolling your child to an online high school as soon as possible. Always trust your basic instincts when it comes to how your child feels about his or her education. You should be able to sense if there is a deeper underlying issue that could be addressed by switching to a more feasible alternative form of education like the online school. Online schools usually provide a safe and sound environment for kids to grow academically and personally as well. The best part is that virtual schools usually make use of multiple formats to garner the attention of students. They employ video lessons, audio-books, PowerPoint presentations, high resolution images and graphics, and several other mediums to engage the students and stimulate their minds. Also, online schools provide a structured curriculum for every category of students. The curriculum does not have to be built up right from the scratch. At the same time, you can customize the curriculum as per

Is Curriculum At Online Schools Different From Traditional Schools?

Search Online Courses And Queries About Online Schooling Is curriculum at online schools different from traditional schools? In certain ways, online school curriculum is almost the same as traditional school curriculum. Just like a traditional school, accredited online schools include all the state requirements necessary for students to graduate. All the core subject areas of language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies are included. Also, other necessary courses such as health & PE, languages and fine arts are counted in. However, online school curriculum is relatively vast, providing students with a huge list of options. The online curriculum is varied. The best part is that online students have the flexibility to learn at their own pace and reach their individual goals accordingly. Most of the brick-and-mortar school districts are limited by their budgets. They have other restrictive areas such as physical availability of teachers, their need to address all of the students etc. These factors certainly restrict ability to provide customized learning opportunities. Thus, students are deprived of obtaining top quality teaching materials and teachers as well. Here is where online school curriculum scores. Genuine accredited online schools make sure to provide an exceptional online school curriculum. These curriculum blends learning with fun-filled activities, incorporating interactive activities as well to stimulate the young minds. All types of learners, whether kinesthetic, auditory or visual, benefit from such mediums. Thus, all students learn well, grasp quickly and implement smartly when required. Apart from providing a full range of standards-based core curriculum, the regionally accredited online schools offer many electives as well. Most of the traditional schools are not able to provide a good range of electives, especially French, Spanish, digital arts courses etc. Thus, students attending a traditional school often choose to enhance their education by taking these special electives online. The online school curriculum is presented in multiple formats. These varied formats comprise of direct-instruction videos, interactive learning tools like audio-books, labs etc. Much unlike in a traditional classroom, online school students can create back-up in order to listen again to the lecture entirely or certain specific parts that they need to pay heed to.  Thus, online school students appear to be pretty self-motivated since they are given the liberty to control their learning. The online curriculum is pretty rigorous. They are designed so to enable students to develop wholesome knowledge and strong foundation. Lessons are designed in a way that helps students understand the material as they proceed in their coursework. One of the selling points of online classes is that the online instructors are available 24X7. Thus, students can interact with teachers one-on-one whenever they need help or have queries. This gives mental strength to the students as well and prevents them from feeling all alone in their journey towards achieving the degree! Consistent progress evaluations allow teachers to determine where students need extra help. Customized learning enables students to catch up before moving forward. The personalization is especially helpful for students who are below grade level in a subject. Thus, they do not need to skip topics just to keep up with a generalized pace. In this way, they can develop foundational learning that is crucial for a wholesome learning experience. This also allows academically advanced students to move forward at a faster pace that can be more favorable for them. This customization empowers students to take more control and responsibility over their education. Thus, most of the online school students tend to be more successful. Many study programs are arranged for students to graduate at the same time they would if attending a traditional school. This works even when their study schedule is pretty unconventional. Online mode of learning provides greater opportunity to students, leading them towards pursuing their own personal interests. They are enabled to explore new career options and specializations. Thus, they become more skilled and well-prepared for their upcoming college-related or job-related work environment. In online schools, students have access to some advanced placement courses as well. They also have options for preparing for professional certifications. Most importantly, the online schools provide a healthy study environment that is apt for the student to study and grasp. After all, the study environment needs to be conducive to learning in the least. Students with unconventional lifestyles benefit a lot from such online classes. These classes enable students to study on their own, at their own pace, in a nurturing environment. Thus, online classes are thriving for students who have family responsibilities or lack a flexible work schedule. Personalization is perhaps the most important factor that can actually help students at all levels to succeed overall. Online school curriculum provides a first-rate education that provides a makes sure to provide the child with a solid foundation, which in turn leads to career success in the bigger picture. Also, online classes are pretty affordable, allowing you to save on gas and the wear and tear of your vehicle. Online courses are great for individuals in the military or who travel frequently. The online learning format allows students to pursue education wherever they are. It does not tie them down to a specific location, unlike the conventional class curriculum. Students need to make sure that they have a reliable computer and internet connection. These are the bare necessities of taking online classes. The high degree of flexibility of online learning comes with a good deal of responsibilities as well. The online learners need to be genuinely self-motivated. Every college class requires students to keep up on required reading and assignments. As the student proceeds with his course work, he is bound to inculcate this sense of ownership and responsibility. The successful online students develop strategies for staying ahead of their schedule at all times. They need to set aside time every week for studying and creating a work space with almost little or no distractions. READY TO JOIN?Join Forest Trail Academy today and start learning on your own time and at your own pace.GET STARTED TODAY. APPLY NOW

Tips for Getting Started with Online High School Classes

Search Online Courses And Queries About Online Schooling [flexy_breadcrumb] Tips For Getting Started With Online High School Classes It is pretty factual that online programs provide students with a good deal of flexibility. However, with flexibility come responsibilities. Students need to set up dedicated times for when they have to log in to their courses or to prepare for an online assessment. A last-moment study is risky. Thus, online students need to make sure that they remain ahead of their online learning schedule. The trick is that they need to keep ahead without any external push. For this, they need to be self-driven all through their course duration. Here are some of the smartest tips for getting started with online high school classes: MAKE SURE THAT THE TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS ARE MET It is true that online classes can benefit students with busy schedules in more than one way. However, online students should be able to access the online materials. For this, students are going to need to understand what the technical requirements are. Just before you start with your online course, make sure that your computer will work with all the online tools, and that you know how to navigate them so that you do not have to spend time during the course trying to look into the technology. Make sure that your internet signal is strong on a consistent basis. Ensure that your computer is working excellently and is with all the latest formats of the basic software including Antivirus software. This saves your computer from getting faulty while you are in the middle of your online course. You can consult with your Admissions Officer or the instructors of your online high school if you have doubts regarding the utility of any particular online tool. Go for hands-on practice right from an early stage to understand the utility of each and every tool. MAKE EFFORTS TO CONNECT WITH INSTRUCTORS Since your online school does not have “live” teachers, you need to make sure that you share a good bond with your online instructors. In most cases, you need to start conversations with your teachers. Do it right from the beginning. When you share a good rapport with your online teachers, you can be transparent with them about your doubts and insecurities. You need to develop this kind of approach to your online course and reached out for help every now and then. Your online teachers will be more than happy to serve you in a timely fashion. This will save you from piled-up work right before a deadline or an assessment. Thus, it will help you to stay ahead of your schedule! When you are in contact with your teachers, you will come to know about your weak points. Thus, you can start working on those areas right from the beginning. Your instructors shall be available to help you throughout the course. WORK ON YOUR QUERIES INDEPENDENTLY Online students need to be big-time explorers! They need to make genuine efforts to find answers to class questions in an independent manner. Of course, they have the support of their online teachers, but need to try for the solutions on their own first. This helps them to develop problem-solving skills. Thus, the willingness has to be there to go out and find things on your own. BUILD UP A SMART LEARNING SCHEDULE A schedule is the starting point of any learning course. You will get help from your online instructors while creating your schedule. The schedule needs to be flexible and not too loaded. Most importantly, the schedule should be fit for your lifestyle. Also, it should be humanly attainable! When you have the framework in place, it gets easier for you to complete your daily coursework on time. Design your schedule in a way that it complements your lifestyle and the course you have chosen. MAINTAIN ORGANIZATION AND SYSTEM It is very crucial for online students to remain organized and systematic. Remember, 1 week of mindless wastage of time or delay in work can make you lag behind your schedule to a large extent. Make up for the time that you might have taken off due to an emergency situation or a holiday. Thus, take advantage of the flexibility that is given to you by the online course, but also keep in mind to compensate for the loss of work by working for extra time. When it comes to online courses, students may have to find their own ways to stay on top of their work. You need to understand what works best for you and repeat that again and again. Maintain an organized workspace. The place should be kept clean and organized at all times. Online students need to be organized from the beginning to be successful in an online course. All assignment due dates should be in your calendar, online or paper folders should be created for each week and the work area should contain all coursework materials together. HAVE A PROPER WORKSPACE Having a workplace, solely for doing the course work, might not strike you in the first go. But, it is pretty crucial. When you have a fixed study space, you tend to focus well on your course work. This certainly prevents your mind from wandering around! You need to choose the workspace smartly. The place could be a particular room or a corner of a room. However, make sure it is not in an area where there is a lot of commotion or noise. The room should be peaceful with zero or minimal distractions. There should be proper light and enough of space for your coursework materials to fit in at least! Get a proper chair and table so that you get to study in the right posture. GET TO KNOW THE SYLLABUS You can get to know the syllabus for your online course right in the beginning with the help of your online teachers or the Admissions Officer. When you know the syllabus well, you can

Four Ways High School Students Can Make This Summer Count

Search Online Courses And Queries About Online Schooling [flexy_breadcrumb] Summers are to be enjoyed. However, students can make the most of it by taking online summer courses that are fun as well as academic. Here are the top four ways high school students can make their summers count: Creating a top list of colleges and universitiesStudents need to have a list of universities they seriously want to apply to and attend. Students can consult with their seniors, parents, and teachers to complete this task. After all, they need to form a list of priorities. They often have different preferences. Some might prefer to be close to home while some might wish to study in a college that is miles away! They might go for a diverse experience with more independence or might just cling on to a more structured environment. It is always a matter of preference. Parents and teachers need to be clear of these individual preferences. They should ask the students questions that will help him to compile his college application list. After all, the high-school student needs to prepare for his college beforehand. Zeroing in on a majorThere are many students who change their majors several times throughout their college career. Some do not declare a major at all until junior year. It should be made sure that the student does not fall behind on their graduation timeline due to last moment decisions. They should make sure to select a major beforehand, as early as possible. However, a good deal of thought needs to be given at the time of making the decision. So what better time to make such a crucial decision than summer! During this holiday period, students can look through program offerings and ensure that their favorite schools have their program of interest. Taking a trip to the campus townSummer is the just the ideal time for a trip to the campus town. Though summer campus visits are not that ideal for seeing what campus life is like, it is surely a pleasant time to view the facilities and other options available to your student. You might even consider what the town has to offer to you as well. You can think of visiting local restaurants and stores and explore the nearby recreation areas. Being a student, you can check out all the town has to offer. This way you can actually make the most of your summer trip. VolunteeringIt is a fact that community service is a smart way to boost a student’s college as well as scholarship applications. Most of the admissions teams and scholarship committees want to see that the student is well-rounded and versatile, having participated in a good deal of extra-curricular activities. Participating in community service organizations or events is bound to allow your student to stand out on applications. There are many schools that have community service organizations on campus. Thus, if you are excited about giving back while you are in college, this is certainly a great option for you to explore. Enrolling in an online summer courseHere are a few reasons why you should go for an online summer course: Enjoying the flexibility Most of the online summer school instructors structure their online classrooms more loosely. Thus, in case there is a discussion board post due, you might a day or two to respond. You do not have to be present “in class” at a certain time every week. Staying on track for graduation Students often tend to stray from their four-year plans for several reasons. However, online summer school can prevent this to happen by keeping the student in touch with his academics. Freeing up the winter semesters In case you know you’re in for a busy semester with comprehensive courses and heavy workloads, you might think of shaking off some of your load and fulfilling your degree requirements during the summer by taking online summer courses. Getting to learn something new or exclusive Summer online classes actually provide you the unique chance to discover different subjects. Less academic distractions There are many part-time classes during the summer months. These make it possible for you to have more time to focus on the notoriously demanding classes. You can have time to watch all of the lectures and do all of the readings. Completing an entire course at a faster pace in a short time Summer courses are accelerated. This clearly implies that you can gain the same credits in less time. Some of the summer sessions extend from May to August while some sessions start from May to June. There are some late summer sessions as well that extends from July and carry on till August. More individualized attention Online courses over the summer are usually smaller. This means more student-professor interaction and availability. This is advantageous if you need more guidance navigating online classes. Getting to enjoy work When you are considering online summer courses to make up for a failed course or to get ahead, you can just have the right kind of opportunity to achieve your goals. This way you can try out new things with more comprehensive opportunities. Keep in mind that college can be really expensive. The college costs can rise continuously for you. This rising cost is attributed to the books, parking fees, entertainment costs etc. You might feel the need for financial assistance. Thus, during the summers you might look for scholarships at your institutions of interest. Usually, counselors of an online high school keep a full list of local scholarships in their office. In general, students get the most scholarship assistance from the institution rather than private sources. So, make use of net price calculators and scholarship calculators to get a right estimate of your financial need. You might check out summer camps during this time. There are many universities that offer camps for high school students during the summer months. It is a great way for you to make yourself familiar with a campus to see if