Distance Education

Distance Education
Pros
1. Students receive all they need in order to fully participate in the classes such as a laptop computer with wireless card, printer, funds for internet access and any course materials needed. This helps students who cannot afford these items to be able to still be enrolled in the program.
2. The wide variety of courses and options seem to benefit the students depending on where they would like to go after high school.
3. Homework can be done at “own” pace so this benefits those that have trouble keeping up in a normal high school classroom.
4. For students who have trouble interacting in a classroom environment may find the electronic approach much easier.
5. Those students with special needs will be able to cater a program that fits their needs.

Cons
1. Some students may not be familiar with technology due to lack of contact which can be attributed to financial issues. Because of this students may not be able to follow instructions no matter how simple they may seem.
2. Procrastination may play a huge factor because the student may fall behind and then have to cram or rush to get everything done. This can happen in a regular school setting as well but I feel that in a distance program it could potentially be worse due to the lack of a physical teacher keeping track of them.
3. Student to teacher interaction may lack because often times one cannot tell if something is wrong with a student unless they voice it or (for the quieter ones) if you can see it. Some students may not be able to ask for help, so because the teacher cannot physically see them they may not be able to help.
4. It seems as though much of the progress is tracked by tests and quizzes rather than group projects. This may prove a problem for some students who left the average classroom for this program due to these tests. Although they may
5. With the distance program, students will not be able able to experience a real life classroom, therefore have no actual social interaction.