How do Online High School Classes Work?

Most of the online programs offer the same types of classes as their traditional counterparts. The online high school diploma programs need to be state-approved. Also, you must only go for an accredited online high school. From a generic perspective, coursework and testing for online programs are the same as those of brick and mortar high schools.

The functioning of Online High School Programs

 The online high school diploma programs are taught by certified teachers. These are usually offered through accredited institutions. The top feature of these virtual courses is that these are self-paced. Also, there are no location constraints here. A student living in a desolate area can apply for these courses.

What to know about online coursework?

Usually, the online classes are almost equivalent to those offered in traditional high schools. These classes usually include English, social studies, science, mathematics, visual arts, physical education, foreign languages, and career education courses.

Online students actually have many options to choose from. They might go for the general education curriculum. However, if they want something extra, they can apply for a college-prep diploma or any other advanced online course such as an advanced placement course. Online students are also free to apply for dual enrollment classes. In a dual enrollment class, students can earn credits toward both a high school diploma and a college degree. Usually, these advanced courses are pretty challenging. So, students should take these courses only if they have enough room in their daily schedule to prepare for these courses.

Online schools also enable students to graduate early. Certain specialized courses are provided to motivated students who wish to graduate early, maybe within 3 years. Normally, it takes 4 years to complete an online high school course. Graduating early saves a good deal of time and energy for many kids.

What to know about the course instruction?

When it comes to an online high school program, students receive online as well as offline assignments. Thus, they are not required to be in front of the screen all the time! Online schools provide many feasible ways for students to effectively interact with teachers. This type of communication is pretty different from that of a brick-and-mortar classroom setting. Usually, students receive course materials in various ways. These include video lessons, downloadable lecture notes, and slideshows. In order to interact with and ask questions of course instructors, most of the classroom platforms use many contact options like email, phone, text, and even chat.

What are the Technology Requirements and Other Components?

Most of the students access their work via an online content management system (CMS). The good thing is that all the resources and tools are available all the time. This is because all of those are online! Online schools provide students with assignments via physical media, like books or DVDs. Usually, students require computers with operating systems that can manage online access and CMS applications. There are some software programs that may also be required. This highly depends on the online program. So, you must investigate well before starting your online course. You must have all the requirements ready at hand. After all, you would want your online course to be seamless. Being an online learner, you can communicate with teachers through the CMS or email. However, in some cases, you might be able to communicate through physical mail. It is up to you!

What to know about testing and graduation?

In an online school, students receive transcripts upon graduation. Some of them also receive a certificate of completion. Usually, the online school transcripts verify that a student has taken specific courses and earned particular grades in each of those courses. A vast majority of the post-secondary institutions ask for transcripts to be submitted. This is required to verify an individual's academic prowess and overall credibility. These transcripts prove that you are a potential candidate who is determined and strong-willed when it comes to your career.

How to register for online classes that will count on their transcript?

Almost all of the accredited online schools offer online high school courses that align with state and federal standards. This clearly indicates that the credits will transfer to any high school transcript. Thus, these form major graduation requirements. So, you must make sure that you choose a school that aligns with those standards. This is a vital step. When you zero in on an online school, registration is going to be easier than you think! You will be required to provide certain basic information. You might be required to provide a current transcript. Once registration is complete, you will have to create an account. Then, you will be required to select the courses you are interested in taking. It is then that you will have to talk to an advisor. You will have to attend an orientation before getting started with your course.

How are the online tests conducted?

Effective ways are used to conduct online tests. Usually, tests online are done at the convenience of the student. Students can take these tests when they feel they are prepared. They are not proctored. However, instructors can lockdown screens if they chose to! Online schools usually employ artificial intelligence tools to act as a next-generation test proctoring solution. These read student facial expressions and verify student with facial recognition. Today, most of the online schools allow students to take tests online anytime. Usually, the questions are pretty challenging. In order to score well, online students need to put their best foot forward!

How do online group projects function?

Most of the online schools come up with such collaborative projects to promote socialization as well as team spirit. These are important attributes of an ideal employee in the work field. Usually, students are first connected via teachers in live lessons or in discussion forums. Then, students form groups for future projects.

How does grading take place?

Grading happens on the basis of the child’s performance, just like in any traditional school. The child is usually assessed from an overall perspective. Thus, this grading system is genuine and fair.

How Online Learning Can Help Us Improve Our Education System

The high dropout rates of schools across the United States have been playing on the minds of educators and parents for quite some time now. However, conventional schooling systems have had limited success in tackling this rising problem. Globalization has virtually revolutionized everything around us and as the world comes closer together, competition for jobs and work has increased dramatically. A high school diploma is no longer sufficient to help our children secure a steady job and the sooner our children realize that, the better off they will be. Online home schools across our country seem to have taken the bull by the horns when it comes to helping our nation improve its student graduation rate. With the job market demanding more employable skills, students everywhere are now seeking more efficient alternatives that will help them succeed in a more globalized world. If statistics are to be believed, alternatives such as online learning programs seem to be doing a really good job at it too.

If you are looking for an opportunity to secure a quality education, The Ogburn Online School has a few words of encouragement for you. Not only is it the right place for you to begin your journey but they also have all the necessary credentials that make them the ideal choice for you. They are a regionally accredited school by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), and a nationally accredited member of The National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA). Additionally, The Ogburn Online School offers you a holistic environment for your education. Joining an online homeschool with all the necessary accreditation is absolutely essential to your long-term progress, which is why they provide you with a course curriculum that has been aligned and articulated to the Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards.

To know more about the programs they offer, log on to www.ogburnonlineschool.com. There’s plenty of information for you to browse through that will help you better understand how technology can help you secure a better education. For those of you seeking a second chance, you need to understand that a high school diploma is just a starting point. There is so much more that lies ahead of you. Virtual learning has the potential to open up opportunities you’ve probably never even thought possible. Of course, harnessing those opportunities will require you to put in a lot of hard work. If you are willing to put in the effort then The Ogburn Online School is there to support you every step of the way. Online learning programs aren’t just about earning diplomas and degrees; they are about opening up new avenues and helping people access opportunities once considered out of reach.

Technology has made things so much easier for us. The question is – Are we able to leverage that in our favor to deliver a better future for our children?

Preparing for Your Online High School Courses

The fact is that online high school programs provide students with a good deal of flexibility. The student needs to be organized and good at time management.

Here are some common ways to prepare for your online high school courses:

Take your online high school course seriously
This is truly vital. And, this is the least you can do! Make sure to take your online school course seriously. As far as online classes are concerned, you need to be self-disciplined. You need to be a diligent learner and be devoted to your online learning course. Prepare a proper learning schedule and stick to it. Since online school classes are highly flexible, you might tend to get too comfortable. But, this is not a good sign, especially if you want to succeed in your online high school course. Challenge yourself whenever possible. Take part in all the activities that are brought forward by your online high school.

Make sure to follow through. Treat your online high school course as seriously as you would treat your traditional high school course. Log in regularly. Even if you end up missing a particular class, make sure to resume back as soon as possible. Take ownership of your education and reach your true potential!

Cut down distractions
This is equally important! Many of you might feel that there are zero distractions in an online learning environment. While the number of distractions is less, you would still have to fight some specific distractions. Digital distractions are pretty common here. And these distractions can derail your studies. You would have to come up with wise strategies to reduce these distractions. Make sure to set aside time to focus on your learning. You would have to show a good deal of determination and will power if you truly want to succeed. You can increase your concentration level by listening to a playlist of motivational music. You might want to switch up your learning spaces sometimes. You might go to the nearby coffee shop and work on your assignment. It might cut down boredom if any. Thus, you would have to be honest with yourself and find out ways that work for you.

Keep your study time fixed on a daily basis. During this study time, make sure to turn your cell phone off. This would help you avoid minimizing focus every time a notification pops up on your cell phone! You can even go further and get a website blocker downloaded. You can use several applications such as Cold Turkey and Freedom to help cut down distractions by blocking some apps or websites. Spend less time on social networking sites. In other words, keep a track of time. Do not waste your free time. Take short breaks only.

Identify your learning patterns
This is an important one as well. Before you choose any online high school program, you would have to identify your own learning patterns and objectives. When you have established where you would learn, think about ways to accomplish your work. You can simply put on a soothing playlist and work on your online high school course. Study diligently!

You might have some great study habits and might have some bad ones as well. Identify as to which ones are the bad ones. Procrastination can be a really bad one in this context! Make sure to work on your bad habits. Adopt healthy lifestyle habits as well as study habits. Learn as to what type of learner you are! You might be a visual learner, a kinesthetic one or an auditory one. You might even be a mixture of all! If you are a visual learner, you can print out transcripts of the video lectures for reviewing purposes. If you are a kinesthetic learner, you can listen to your online lectures while jogging or doing some exercise! Most of the online high schools make sure to provide you with the facility to learn in multiple learning formats. Thus, all you need to do is to choose the right learning format and going forward with it.

Manage time smartly
When you are an online high school student, you would have to learn wisely. For this, you would have to make good use of time. You must avail of the flexibility to create your own learning schedule. Without a proper learning schedule, you can never do your online classes properly. For this, you would need to have various time management skills. Do not procrastinate if you truly wish to succeed in an online high school course.

In order to manage your time wisely, you would have to schedule your time wisely. Make sure to be familiar with your learning style as well as personality. In order to enhance your time management skills, you would have to take a few steps.

First of all, go through the syllabus. Do this right at the start of the semester. Make sure to make note of prominent assignments. You can then mark them on a study calendar. And, you must check this calendar daily. Thus, you would be well-aware as to what type of workload is coming in the upcoming weeks. Keep your prior commitments in mind. After all, these might interfere with your daily study schedule. In such cases, make sure to give yourself additional time to finish off assignments. Make sure to create a weekly schedule and follow it. Make sure to read more, watch lectures, finish off assignments, taking part in forums and studying, etc. You can set reminders for yourself to finish off these tasks. While working on your assignments, go for time-blocking. Here, you would have to set yourself a particular amount of time for every task.

Keep a check on how you are spending your time. You must dedicate a good deal of time to course reading plus assignments. Reflect upon yourself, identify your strengths and work on your weaknesses.

Be accountable
Write down about your goals, short-term as well as long-term. Do set goals right at the beginning of the semester. You would have to set personal deadlines to stick to those.