Written by Rileigh Thomas
In recent years, online classes have become an integral part of providing accessible education for everyone. Green Mountain Union High School has used this platform to expand student learning opportunities, and now offers more online classes than ever before. High school students are able to enroll in both semester and year long online classes, ranging in difficulty from traditional high school classes to college dual enrollment. This option in the school has created an opportunity for students to have access to a variety of courses not otherwise offered at GM. However, it has also raised concerns regarding the value that is placed on traditional high school courses. Shannon Parker, Green Mountain’s online Flexible Pathways Coordinator, helped define the role online education now plays at GM.
Shannon explained that when she arrived at the school in 2014, online classes were being offered to students, but very few were enrolled and the course selections were limited. Over the past five years, the program has experienced rapid growth and increased student numbers with each year. Originally, Shannon’s main position at the school was as a secretary, and her assistance with online classes was “like a secondary piece.” Her new title as the full time coordinator allows her to have a classroom to meet with students throughout the day, and check in weekly to ensure that they are remaining on track. She believes that this space has helped encourage the development of the program, as students are able to work in a classroom setting and have guidance when necessary. Shannon described online education’s biggest benefit as being the flexibility students have in completing their coursework. She also reflected that this may be seen as a downside, “I only check in with students once a week, and their online teachers are kind of this distant figure, so I feel like that can be really hard for students, that there’s not this teacher that’s checking in with them or breathing down their necks every day.”
Senior Pearl Jackson has taken online classes for two years, and says she sees both sides. In her experience, the workload has been pretty standard for high school classes, although being unable to learn in a classroom means a lot of reading and online discussions. She sees one major advantage of online courses being that “for the most part, you can work at your own pace.” For Pearl and many others, online education has opened up class options extending beyond what a small school can offer. They allow for flexibility in scheduling for busy students, but also require personal dedication and motivation in order to experience success.
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