High School, Online School, and E-Learning
Though a virtual high school contains from an online education, it isn’t the same. Nowadays, more parents than ever are looking at innovative ways to get their children the kind of high school education that will really make a difference in their lives as they move from high school into college and adulthood.
A high school that has a virtual element to it might just be what they need as a matter of fact. And while both have elements of the online environment contained within them (the online school is completely like that, it must be said) it is a fact that the virtual high school is more a mix of traditional in-classroom schooling with a healthy dose of “classroom without walls” learning experiences that include logging in and working online.
Don’t confuse the online school with a virtual school environment that exists usually only during summer periods. Many parents, when considering whether or not to help their children find some other method of learning rather than spending the whole day in class, often find themselves slightly confused about the differences between online and virtual school, and even the term “e-learning.”
In many cases, there are differences between all three, especially when it comes to a virtual high school. For one, this form of learning is usually only available during summer sessions and to children who have demonstrated the capacity to be extremely self-directed and independent. The same goes for the online school environment, though in many cases this form of schooling will require a great deal of parental supervision — which the parents must agree to — before a child will be accepted into the program. E-learning is sometimes looked at as a hybrid of the two forms of online/in-classroom instruction.
Defining Characteristics of a Virtual vs. Online School
- An online school is a completely computer and Internet-based learning experience. Often times, online high schools may accept enrollment from children from a wide catchment area, and sometimes even from out-of-state students (in the United States).
- A virtual learning environment, especially in certain Canadian provinces and cities, is almost strictly a summer learning experience and may sometimes require orientation and exit schooling in traditional classrooms, though much of it is addressed while the student is at home.
- In many cases, a virtual school will only allow a maximum of two courses be taken during a semester whereas an online school can be a complete curriculum from start to finish, including graduation.
For many districts, these three terms are synonymous. Parents need to make sure that they are as well informed as possible when it comes to considering whether or not their children would be a good candidate for an online education, and the time of year that they’re talking about. Remember; the virtual education environment is usually something set up and which can help parents get their children the summer school learning that they require, while an online school is geared more towards children who would do well working in the “classroom without walls” and e-learning environment.
