The Opposing Argument

It’s obvious that cyber schools are considered an inferior education. Students are turned down from jobs, rejected from colleges, and even receive flack from their friends. My friends have actually referred to cyber school as “pretend school” and ask “What are you actually learning?”

Why do cyber schools have such a stigma associated with their name?

Like every other school, they possess positives and negatives.

Negatively speaking, cyber schools offer very little in socialization. That’s the virtual aspect of cyber school; students aren’t in classrooms with other children their age.

Some view the lack of socialization as detrimental to development, and think that cyber school students are out of touch with the real world.

Furthermore, colleges question if students are actually learning, since every test is open book. After all, anyone can look in a book and regurgitate facts.

But, is any of this really the truth?

The Reality of the Situation

Cyber students work just as hard as any other student, just in a different way. Assignments single assignment is intended to teach a lesson.

The most important information is isolated, and students are easily able to absorb the information to further them in their subjects. This contrasts from a traditional school, where students are often given busy work that isn’t very helpful.

As for the open-book test problem, it probably does happen. However, cyber schools do what they can to remedy this problem. Simple solutions include putting time limits on tests and testing students’ knowledge by administering essay questions.

In more extreme solutions, the school forces the students to complete the test on the school computer, and all activity is monitored on screen (clicking the mouse, opening windows).

Other schools require students to place webcams over their computer so the teachers can see what students are doing at all times.

Even so, tests do not make up the majority of the points in most courses. Cyber schools want their students to receive an education, not spit out facts.

Cyber schools also adhere by due dates and offer instructional times, just like regular schools. They also offer students the ability to work ahead, which public schools often do not.

Students of virtual schools know how hard they work, but the minds of others may not change for a long time. Despite the discrimination, there are a number of things students can do to ensure success.

Making Cyber School Work For You

When faced with an obstacle, there is always a way to make it a ledge to get to the next level.

First of all, students should challenge themselves more than they normally would. Receiving high grades in honors, AP, and IB courses (which are also offered in a normal school) gives colleges reason to believe you can succeed.

Scoring well on AP exams, the SATs, SAT Subject Tests, and other forms of standardized testing is also another good method of convincing colleges of your success.

These tests are administered and monitored by teachers, and cannot be taken online. These are tests that determine how well a students’ knowledge compares to the rest of the United States.

By doing well in these standardized tests, colleges will accept your hard work and hopefully admit you into their schools.

Plus, students can take advantage of the unique situations that cyber school present them with. Since schedules can be loosely based, students are able to do things that wouldn’t normally (or as easily) in a public school.

Students can take advantage of the flexibility and take an increased number of courses. They are no longer limited to the amount of classes that can fit within a seven-hour school day.

Best of all, students have unlimited access to their school; they can do school work at any time, not just during the day. The free time allows student to focus on other activities, like getting a job, training in a sport, or refining their skills and hobbies.

Bottom Line

A cyber school education can be risky. Others may view you as risky no matter how well you do, and their skepticism is not without merit.

However, you have to prove to others, as well as yourself, that you can succeed. Cyber schools give you opportunities to shape your own future. Use these opportunities to further yourself, instead of letting yourself be held back.