Online Schools vs. Traditional Schools: A Comparison for Education Leaders

Statistics from the 2017-2018 school year show that only 21% of public schools offered online courses. However, recent statistics indicate that 75% of schools plan to operate online or use a hybrid model. Experts predict that online learning market revenue in the United States alone will exceed $87 billion this year.

While it's clear that the popularity of online education has grown exponentially in the last decade, one question remains: Is it the best educational model for learners?

Online Schools: The Advantages

Online schools can offer a far better online learning experience than that thrust on the public education system during the COVID-19 lockdowns. While the quality of an online education can vary depending on the school chosen, the following benefits are typical of online schools throughout the United States.

Access to Experienced, Certified Teachers

The teacher shortage, which is plaguing educational institutions throughout the United States, is particularly acute in rural areas. Many schools in small towns, villages, and tribal areas struggle not only to find but also to retain certified facilitators. The high turnover rate, coupled with the lack of experienced facilitators, can make it difficult for children living in rural areas to receive a quality education. Online schools provide an ideal solution to the problem because rural educational institutions don't have to figure out how to convince teachers to move to town. Rather, highly qualified teachers can provide instruction from outside the city or even the state.

Flexibility

Online public school or private school learners can study anywhere and anytime. Learners can study from home if they're sick or make up a class in the evening if they weren't able to attend school that day. What's more, online students can study at their own pace. Those who grasp a subject can skip some of the study material while those who need to review important information can do so without holding up other learners.

Traditional Schools: The Advantages

Traditional schools include all schools with on campus students, be they public schools, private schools, or charter schools. The benefits provided are typical of any in-person learning environment.

In-Person Interaction with Teachers and Students

The traditional classroom setting gives learners the chance to interact with their teachers and fellow students. This plays an important role in learning as collaborative projects and spontaneous discussions help to create a dynamic learning environment. Research shows that positive peer relationships with other learners in school have a significant positive impact on students' academic performance.

Structured Support

Furthermore, traditional schooling offers structured support many learners need in order to receive a quality education. While research done by the U.S. Department of Education shows that highly-motivated learners with a great deal of self-discipline perform better in online schools than traditional ones, most learners need in-person guidance and support from on campus faculty members. This is especially true for learners in elementary school and/or those who are struggling to earn good grades, as motivation to learn increases with age, and those who have a high grade average are more likely to be highly motivated than those who are struggling academically.

How to Blend the Benefits of Online Schools with Those of Traditional Schools

Online schools and traditional schools each have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. A fully online educational experience doesn't offer the in-person support and interaction needed to boost student success. Traditional schools, on the other hand, aren't always able to meet all students' needs.

The good news is that public schools don't necessarily have to choose between online courses and in-person classes. Rather, schools can combine online learning with in-person instruction to create a quality learning experience for learners of all ages and walks of life.

A synchronous education includes online classes, but these classes take place in a school classroom rather than at home. What's more, all classes are livestreamed, which means that learners can not only listen to the teacher but also ask questions and get answers in real-time.

Some important benefits of this set-up include:

• Learners get immediate answers to any questions they have. They also benefit from listening to other learners ask questions and hearing the teacher's answers to these questions.
• Learners are able to interact with each other not only online but also in person. This helps them cultivate relationships and a sense of belonging.
• Teachers benefit from getting immediate feedback from students. By asking questions and giving pop quizzes, teachers can see if students understand important concepts or need additional review. With immediate feedback, teachers can make adjustments to the class in real-time to ensure students understand the material before moving on.
• Administrators are able to connect learners with highly qualified teachers even if there is a teacher shortage in their district. It's an ideal alternative to hiring underqualified educators just because they live in the same city.
• High schools can use online classes to provide young people with CTE courses and electives that would not be available otherwise. These classes can boost professional skills, prepare students for college/university, and give learners the opportunity to earn college credits before graduating from high school.
• Livestream online classes can be recorded while the class is in progress. This enables online students to review material that was covered in class. It also allows students who weren't able to come to school that day to study class material.

Why Partner with Proximity Learning?

Many online schools and high school programs started in 2020 and thus have minimal experience providing students with a top-tier education. Proximity Learning, on the other hand, has more than fifteen years of experience connecting public schools with certified online teachers. We offer:

• Core classes with high quality course materials to meet your state's scope and sequence requirements
• CTEs for high school students interested in vocational careers
• Electives for students who intend to pursue a degree program after graduating from high school
• Special education case management for IEP and 504 students that help you remain compliant with state and federal laws
• Summer school for learners who need to catch up on class material before the start of a new school year
• Access to certified, experienced teachers who are passionate about sharing their knowledge with your students
• Adaptable scheduling to meet the needs of each new school year. We can add new classes or remove old ones based on student enrollment, accommodations, and other criteria.

Reach out to find out more or to start the onboarding process. We look forward to collaborating with you to help the next generation reach its full potential.

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