Online high school?

What? Seriously? Does anyone else see issues with that? I just saw an ad for online high school and...wanted to scream. :/

Isn't high school the time where you learn...well, a lot of your basic life survival skills? Honestly, I felt like the book-learnin' I got in high school was secondary to what I learned from watching and interacting with my peers. I just feel like life is going to bitch-slap a kid who misses out on getting bitch-slapped in a real high school.

Thoughts on e-high school?

Ask MrsMatthewGubler... she's enrolled in one.  :-/

Original Post by purespark:

Ask MrsMatthewGubler... she's enrolled in one.  :-/

 Oh, yeah. I forgot about that.

Yeah...yeah...

For a social butterfly like me, I feel the same about cyber school as I do about home school - I would have shot myself in the bloody head.

I needed the social interactions, even if half of them were crappy - because people suck - because I needed to grow. 

To each their own, I suppose, but I'm with you on this.  I do not understand.  lol

Yeah I guess it would be like home schooling. People have done that for a while. It would probably be better than home school because there could be more regulations and stuff, instead of a parent making the kid do the bare minimum the kid might really learn things?

But I'm with you on the social part. Back before everyone had cell phones and texted all the time, that was how you kept in touch with your friends. I think I actually did MORE things with my friends during the school year because I'd see them at school and make plans.

Original Post by j_wystup:

Yeah I guess it would be like home schooling. People have done that for a while. It would probably be better than home school because there could be more regulations and stuff, instead of a parent making the kid do the bare minimum the kid might really learn things?

But I'm with you on the social part. Back before everyone had cell phones and texted all the time, that was how you kept in touch with your friends. I think I actually did MORE things with my friends during the school year because I'd see them at school and make plans.

 The thing I've noticed about every home-schooled kid I've ever met (well, and adults, too) is that they're so attached to their parents. And they parrot their parents' ideals and beliefs like they're law. There was a girl in my college speech class who started CRYING during a speech about how her daddy was her hero and how she hadn't seen him in two weeks...she was 19-years old. I realize there are exceptions, but...mental and developmental stagnation like that are where we get the dudes from Deliverance, y'know?

What really freaks me out is how okay kids are with relying on the internet, cell phones, etc. to socialize. I worry about the level of dettachment things like this can create.

Heh, when I was a kid and through high school, we only talked on the phone or on MySpace to find out when we were gonna hang out. It was waaay secondary to actually interacting with other human beings.

I mean, I really hope that I'm overreacting, because this actually really aggravates me.

I am a social butterfly..and I was home schooled. I had a lot of friends in high school, attended all the sporting events, went to two proms and countless dances..I got all the perks of high school without all the drama attached.

However, I firmly believe that home schooling (or online high school) is only successful if a parent is willing to put the time and effort into making sure their children receive enough social interaction with people outside their immediate circle.  Religious nut-jobs and people living a rural area are not typically the best at making sure their children are exposed to all different walks of life. This leaves kids socially inadequate later on.

If a parent doesn't have the time/money/resources to offer their children, then I think home schooling or online high school are a waste of time and can seriously scar a child.

you're over-reacting.

mostly e-schools are used to get classes where they otherwise conflict with your regular schedule (and you actually need to go and get the principals permission for this for the most part), to upgrade marks, and for courses not offered in your disctrict/school.

they're also used for adult learners (aka me.. who is doing it).. infact they're MOSTLY used for adult learners, and for those looking to get ahead (taking EXTRA courses... over achievers like to get more credits than the standard 4-5 per semester type deal).

the adult learners i've mentioned... people who have dropped out and never got their high school diploma, and those that have gotten it but need to update it for whatever reason (i didn't take chemistry and my math mark needs to be bumped up for the vet tech program here).

and sometimes.. yes.. it's used as the only means (aka homeschooled, but via computer and not parents)..

Original Post by pinkpinkotter:

you're over-reacting.

mostly e-schools are used to get classes where they otherwise conflict with your regular schedule (and you actually need to go and get the principals permission for this for the most part), to upgrade marks, and for courses not offered in your disctrict/school.

they're also used for adult learners (aka me.. who is doing it).. infact they're MOSTLY used for adult learners, and for those looking to get ahead (taking EXTRA courses... over achievers like to get more credits than the standard 4-5 per semester type deal).

the adult learners i've mentioned... people who have dropped out and never got their high school diploma, and those that have gotten it but need to update it for whatever reason (i didn't take chemistry and my math mark needs to be bumped up for the vet tech program here).

and sometimes.. yes.. it's used as the only means (aka homeschooled, but via computer and not parents)..

 The things that I looked up were talking about it almost like it was some kind of more popular and accepted form of alternative school.

I mean, I've taken online courses for college, but the thought of going through high school on a computer mystifies me. The way you put it makes it seem a little less frightening, but...*has images of niece getting off of the computer just to go play her DS and eat ramen* When her sister and I were able to drag her out of the house to go to the movies with us, I asked her what she wanted to see...she looked at the choices and says, "too long. Did not read. You pick." Of course, she was also sulking because I made her turn her phone off. :/

We are going thru this right now with my 13yo step son. His mom is enrolling him and his 6yo sister in online school. When we asked why she told us that she could teach him better. Well when we asked him if he wanted to be home schooled he said "No but my mom says it will save her money on gas."

And he will be home all day long with his 6yo sister both of them trying to learn something. THIS IS A DISASTER.

I told my husband he needs to do something about it. But will see if he actually does. She has full custody and he just has visitation so he feels like he doesn't have a say.

Original Post by kotov_syndrome:

Original Post by pinkpinkotter:

you're over-reacting.

mostly e-schools are used to get classes where they otherwise conflict with your regular schedule (and you actually need to go and get the principals permission for this for the most part), to upgrade marks, and for courses not offered in your disctrict/school.

they're also used for adult learners (aka me.. who is doing it).. infact they're MOSTLY used for adult learners, and for those looking to get ahead (taking EXTRA courses... over achievers like to get more credits than the standard 4-5 per semester type deal).

the adult learners i've mentioned... people who have dropped out and never got their high school diploma, and those that have gotten it but need to update it for whatever reason (i didn't take chemistry and my math mark needs to be bumped up for the vet tech program here).

and sometimes.. yes.. it's used as the only means (aka homeschooled, but via computer and not parents)..

 The things that I looked up were talking about it almost like it was some kind of more popular and accepted form of alternative school.

I mean, I've taken online courses for college, but the thought of going through high school on a computer mystifies me. The way you put it makes it seem a little less frightening, but...*has images of niece getting off of the computer just to go play her DS and eat ramen* When her sister and I were able to drag her out of the house to go to the movies with us, I asked her what she wanted to see...she looked at the choices and says, "too long. Did not read. You pick." Of course, she was also sulking because I made her turn her phone off. :/

 

ya it's pretty popular and accepted in that it will go on your diploma and permanent record like anything else.. instead of the stigma of an "online course" versus "in class" course.

i know where i am though it's really difficult to put your kid randomly into the online schooling if you live in a schooling district with public transport.. aside from "home schooling". i've never met someone home schooled though so i can't say how socialized they are. plus most kids want to socialize... and most parents don't want to spend all that time with kids.. or alternatively leave their kids alone in the house all day :/

but most of these online schools are expensive. unless you go through the schools themselves to get Independent learning/e-learning.

:O ...

My stepson's mother let him enroll in an online high school  his sophomore year.  It was easier for  her as she didn't have to transport him to school (they had moved to the next school district and had no bus service available).  Unfortunately, she did not follow up and ensure he was doing the work.  She believed him when he said he was doing the work, but didn't check.  This resulted in him completing NO work for a year.  He then had to "repeat" his sophomore year of high school and again did poorly due to year off.  His mother then decided to send him to live with his Dad and me ( a very good decision) where he played a lot of catch up his junior and senior years of high school.  He became a B student and will be starting college in September. 

Bottom line is that whatever kind of high school your kids attend, parents have to be vigilant and hold kids accountable for doing the work.

^^this is what I am afraid will happen to my step son.

I think I could've done without the bitch-slapping I got in school growing up. I feel teachers and the like need to step up on bullying issues. A lot of them see it happen and do nothing.

Original Post by cptbunny:

I think I could've done without the bitch-slapping I got in school growing up. I feel teachers and the like need to step up on bullying issues. A lot of them see it happen and do nothing.

 I wasn't referring to that kind of bitch-slapping. I was more on about the regular woes of high school. Bullying is a different rant entirely. You get kicked around in a lot more ways in high school than bullying.

I was actually talking to a friend about this a couple hours ago. She completely disagrees with me. She said that all she learned in high school was where she belonged in life's hierarchy. I think she got bullied a bit for one reason or another. I suppose something like that would tend to taint one's high school experience in more than the standard way. :/ I still don't think things would have been better, in the long run, had she gone to school online or been homeschooled--which she said she would have preferred.

Original Post by kotov_syndrome:

Original Post by cptbunny:

I think I could've done without the bitch-slapping I got in school growing up. I feel teachers and the like need to step up on bullying issues. A lot of them see it happen and do nothing.

 I wasn't referring to that kind of bitch-slapping. I was more on about the regular woes of high school. Bullying is a different rant entirely. You get kicked around in a lot more ways in high school than bullying.

I was actually talking to a friend about this a couple hours ago. She completely disagrees with me. She said that all she learned in high school was where she belonged in life's hierarchy. I think she got bullied a bit for one reason or another. I suppose something like that would tend to taint one's high school experience in more than the standard way. :/ I still don't think things would have been better, in the long run, had she gone to school online or been homeschooled--which she said she would have preferred.

Well I was tormented physically and emotionally every single day so my view is also skewed. But at the same time, I'm not pro-homeschooling.

I think in my state we have schools where you do your work online and go to school for one day a week for a few hours. I think other states have them but I forget what these schools are called.

Online high school is mostly doing homework and turning it in to your teacher. Its not like you sit at a computer while a teacher talks in a youtube video and then "dismisses" you from class. Unless there are programs like that that I'm unaware of. Either way.. That would be funny! Although I think online school is a cop out from real high school experiences (sans bullying) it was helpful for me because I was in an accident when I was 14 and couldn't go to school due to my injuries. I can't talk crap about it.

I did online school for the last 2 months last year because of severe anxiety and depression. I think it's a great alternative if you're going through really crappy times, but honestly, not for more than a year. I know a kid whose been doing online school for years because he was bullied alot and I think that's bull.

Original Post by kotov_syndrome:

Isn't high school the time where you learn...well, a lot of your basic life survival skills?

...

You get kicked around in a lot more ways in high school than bullying.

...

 Can you be more specific?  What exactly happens in high school that is so important and enlightening?

I don't think I got a lot out of my highschool besides my education.  I wasn't teased or bullied but I wasn't in the popular crowd either.  Most of my socialization was done in extra curricular activities like orchestra or after school art class. 

Besides courses, the only thing that really happened in my high school were pep rallies, talent shows, and bake sales.  Those taught me zero about the real world or basic survival skills, only things like the knowledge that the vast majority of society cares way more about sports than I do.

I think an online high school could work IF the kid is getting out and meeting other kids through other activities.

Face to face social interaction is highly underrated anymore.  It's almost becoming a thing of the past.  How sad.

I blame WoW.

Original Post by kotov_syndrome:

Heh, when I was a kid and through high school, we only talked on the phone or on MySpace to find out when we were gonna hang out.

::giggles-that-turn-into-chortles-that-turn-i nto-guffaws::