I’m not sure about you, but with the current job market it seems that the best way to get into a top graduate school might be to start in high school. I know it sounds crazy, but hear me out. Have you ever heard of “virtual campus”? Virtual campuses like Indiana virtual brainhoney is a relatively new idea that allows high school students to take online classes with as much or as little student/teacher interaction as they want while still receiving credit and grades. Students can take classes from any grade level at their own pace and learn anything they want with teachers who are usually just an email away.
1. Gauge Your Interest Level
To get an idea of the types of classes you’d like to take and what level of expertise would be required, take a look at the class offerings in your local library. Almost every high school offers classes in computer basics and Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Other popular courses include Algebra, Chemistry and Biology. If you’re looking for something more advanced you can find several options that are generally easier to get through than attending in person, but still provide an educational experience that is just as good if not better than sitting in a classroom.
2. Choose a Course Option
You will want to decide which option suits your needs best. Are you interested in taking a class that assists you in earning college credits? Do you want to take a class to enrich your life and knowledge base, but don’t care about earning a grade? There are literally hundreds of online classes available through accredited websites.
3. Create an Account
The first step is to register for the website of your choice. If you’re looking for online classes that will earn you college credit then search for the specific course on your local high school’s website or a popular search engine such as Google or MSN. You may even be able to find the same course on multiple websites which will enable you to compare prices and choose the one most suited for your needs and budget.
4. Discover the Benefits
Taking an online course allows you to take a class whenever it is convenient for YOU. No more waiting for teacher schedules, long lines to sign up for a class or sitting around in crowded classrooms. You can learn what you want when you want. This will save you valuable study time while giving you the best education possible.
Some classes are even structured in a way that allows you to track your progress and efficiency with graphs, charts and reports that are automatically generated by the website based on your grades and answers from tests and quizzes. They also allow you to print out grades with detailed explanations if needed as proof of completion.
With so many advantages to taking online classes, it’s no wonder they’ve become so popular lately.
5. Get Set Up
Once you have an account on the website of your choice, register for classes by following the steps leading up to this point. Once you’re registered for a class, read through the syllabus and decide whether or not to take it. This is usually done through an online discussion board set up for each class that allows you to talk about the material and answer questions with other students. This is a great way to meet people who share your interest in the subject matter and get free help from those who have already taken the course.
6. Get Help
Most classes will have a section on the website that allows students to ask questions and talk about the course material. You can also usually contact your teacher through email, Instant Messaging (IM) or even telephone if you have difficulty understanding something. Most online teachers are very understanding and willing to help out if needed.
7. Speak Up
Online classes can sometimes be difficult because you are expected to speak up and raise your hand in class just as you would in an actual classroom setting. Teachers will expect you to respond quickly to questions, post messages on discussion boards regularly and may even schedule pop quizzes or take regular quizzes for which you are expected to show up at specified times during a given period of time.
8. Get Credit
Most accredited websites will allow you to earn college credits for almost any class you take and then print out a transcript that can be used to apply to a wide variety of colleges and universities. Some websites even offer the classes for free, but most are structured like a junior college or community college; depending on the class, it may cost anywhere from $50-200 per unit.
9. Accreditation
Make sure the website is accredited and recognized by your local high school or any school you may want to attend in the future. For example, some online high school classes are not recognized by a particular institution, therefore you won’t be able to apply for financial aid and you may be ineligible to receive a scholarship if they are aware of your course enrollment.
10. Finding an Accredited Class
Once you have registered for an online class, check out the syllabus to ensure it is accredited and then browse through the website for similar classes offered in your area. A quick search on Google or MSN will usually bring up several websites that offer many different accreditation options. You can also search through the websites of your local colleges and universities to see if any will accept credits earned from certain sites.
Conclusion of this article:
I hope this article helps you to find online classes that will help you to learn something new, enrich your life and give you the confidence to move forward in your career or even go back to school. Many things we do today require knowledge of computer/computer softwares and accounting/auditing softwares, finances and so many other things. So having a deeper understanding of those things will make it easier for us as we pursue our goals in life. Not all things could be learned on your own; it is always better to have an expert guide and advice from someone who has done what you want to achieve.
