7
Feb

2014

Study from Home – The Future of Post Grade School Learning

Feb 7, 2014 | 8:00 am
Back to School College Studying
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The concept of homeschooling of grade school children elicits a variety of reactions when it is mentioned in most social circles, and rarely is any of those reactions very favorable. Some people laugh it off as something that socially awkward and overprotective parents force on their children, while others see it as a detriment to a child’s social development. But when it comes to adult “study at home” courses, social acceptance is much more widespread.  Adults, as opposed to children, are seen as being savvy if they are able to effectively study from home.

Overall, homeschooling is becoming more and more popular with each passing year. In the United States there are over 2 million children who are undergoing their primary schooling from the comfort of their homes. Adult education, too, is moving more toward a learn-at-home model. In 2012 the number of college students taking at least one class online rose to over 6.7 million.  It seems that the era of out-of-classroom learning has truly dawned.

One of the many ways that online learning may be beneficial to society is that many students who may not do well in a classroom setting may be able to learn better online. For example, with the U.S. high school dropout rate at about 7 percent in 2011, it is worthwhile to ask what makes a person drop out of high school in the first place, and what could entice them to actually complete school and earn their diploma. Though perhaps not the most prevalent reason causing people to stop going to high school, the very social culture of high schools across the nation, complete with cliques, jocks, cool kids, and outcasts, may play a significant role in causing many people to feel like outcasts. Online learning, which allows those who have dropped out of school to go back and get the diploma which had escaped them, can allow dropouts the sense of earning their high school diplomas as opposed to merely getting a GED, without having to step back into a physical classroom.

Another benefit of online learning for adults is the fact that it allows busy adults to plan their learning and classes around their schedules. This flexibility could be the difference between going back to school and getting the degree or diploma which would encourage their professional growth, and allowing the “I don’t have enough time” to be a credible excuse. Many online classes are scheduled for specific times, but with there being no in-person requirement the student does not have to contend with getting dressed up and going out to deal with traffic. Many other online classes do not have any specific time of the day that they must be taken, so long as the work is completed and submitted on time.

Study at home online learning, is definitely the way of the future. While it is not likely that this mode of learning will soon replace traditional grade school, if ever, it is increasingly evident that study from home programs have a bright future for those who are going back to school, or perusing higher education. These kinds of programs offer advantages that in person programs lack, such as the student’s ability to study largely in private, and the convenience of not having to fight through traffic for the privilege.