The advent of digitalization has ensured global access to education, allowing one to attend lectures and appear for exams from the comfort of one’s home. Online high school programs and courses are now available for all major subjects, allowing students of all ages to complete their higher education conveniently. Choosing an online higher education course involves conducting adequate research on the available options. Here are some tips for choosing the right online high school course:

Check the online high school’s accreditation
A recognized accrediting agency, such as the United States Department of Education, the National Center for Education Statistics, or regional accreditation bodies, should accredit in-person and online high schools. These organizations typically have certain criteria for evaluating a school’s overall performance – teaching and learning, resources, support, integrity, and ethical and responsible conduct are some of these criteria. Thus, online high schools accredited by leading institutions are typically assessed based on such categories.

Check out the online learning platform thoroughly
Online high schools should ideally take their prospective students on a virtual tour of the school and the online learning platform on which its classes are conducted. To optimize virtual classrooms, it’s important to have user-friendly learning management systems (LMS) that divide the syllabus into modules, provide access to multiple courses and academic programs, offer round-the-clock availability of learning materials, and enable global accessibility. Furthermore, students must have options to interact with the tutor and other classmates in the classroom. Moreover, the LMS should have adequate privacy measures to facilitate secure login and transactions.

Evaluate the school’s assessment process
An online high school should have concrete ways of assessing students’ knowledge and understanding of the subject. Several learning management systems allow schools and programs to incorporate innovative assessment techniques into their evaluation methods, such as quizzes, games, summary writing, and strategic questioning. One should actively enquire about an online high school’s assessment strategies before securing admission.

Enquire whether the learning platform is mobile-friendly
An online academic program should allow students to access the platform through electronic devices, including desktops, laptops, and mobile phones. The platform should be mobile-friendly, as this feature allows users to easily access it while commuting or traveling without carrying their laptops. Moreover, a survey found that smartphone users completed their courses 45% faster than desktop users, implying that mobile users tend to be more motivated toward course completion.

Consider the interactive approaches incorporated
Online classrooms and courses should be as interactive as offline, even though the former does not involve in-person interactions. Thus, evaluating the innovative interaction strategies teachers use and the features included in the system to facilitate such interactions is essential. For example, teachers should leverage innovative techniques like storytelling, asking questions, organizing classroom discussions and debates, and encouraging scenario-based learning. Learning platforms should entail chat systems, messaging features, and microphones to allow students to interact with each other openly.

Check the availability of student groups organized by the online school
The availability of student groups on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram can enable students to interact with each other beyond the classroom “walls.” Students can also motivate each other and organize frequent study and leisure sessions to create a community. Such features ensure that one does not miss out on the perks of in-person learning even while attending virtual classes.

Gather information about the tutors’ expertise and experience
Tutors of online high schools and learning programs should have considerable knowledge and expertise in their respective fields and the ability and experience to manage online classrooms efficiently. Online classes typically require additional skill sets for managing a classroom virtually without compromising on the knowledge imparted. Hence, one should look for online academic programs with teachers with considerable experience and skills. A review of instructor profiles can help understand a tutor’s proficiency better.

Check out online reviews and feedback on the school
Online reviews and ratings provide insight into current and former students’ experiences studying at the online high school. In addition to reading such reviews on different online platforms, one should try to connect with some of the school’s current and former students and teachers and enquire about what they believe are the school’s pros and cons. Based on this knowledge, one should only seek admission to an online high school if its pros outweigh its cons.

Compare different high schools’ costs and features
Evaluating the features and fees of different online high schools is essential to understand the standard features and rates. It also helps one shortlist an online high school that offers the maximum features while being budget-friendly.