KC Distance Learning Inc. {Review}

Wow, technology sure is growing. When I was in school, I was taught how to use the typewriter, actually, that was a class I had to pass in order to graduate (thankfully, I passed). Now, technology is going in a direction I never thought it would, schooling.

While all children are wired to learn, they do not all learn the same way. Online learning offers an individualized approach to school. Whether your child dreams of developing a new solar cell technology, becoming a teacher, astronaut or artist, online learning can be the first step in making their dreams come true.

On Demand Learning for today’s “iGeneration”:
Today's students, known as the "iGeneration", are the first to crave and benefit from education "on demand" - or the option to choose where, when and how they want to learn.

To put it in context, the "iGeneration" has never known life without the Internet, being mobile, using avatars, IMing or choosing and watching content whether they are at home, in the car, at a football game or shopping at the mall. To reach them in their high-tech, high-touch world, many parents and educators are looking at how to rewire schools to match how the iGeneration learns.

Taking classes online is one way to give middle and high school students (and their school districts) new options to learn using preferred tools in a familiar environment, and even experience enhanced, one-on-one relationships with educators. Whether they're in need of more assistance, looking for wider range of classes or simply prefer to learn in a medium that they have grown up with, online learning can be a great way to fit your child's needs.

Students are increasingly able to take online classes in partnership with their local school districts. Schools facing budget cuts and a reduction in teachers are turning to online classes to supplement their curriculum, from offering classes for which they have no teachers, Advanced Placement® classes for students who excel, and credit recovery options for students who struggle. In fact, today there are 1 million children learning online, either part time, full time or between school terms. Additionally, more than 20 percent of schools and educational institutions around the country offer online classes today, and that number should grow by another 30 percent within a couple of years, according to industry research. (Simba Information).

View a Demonstration Vide:
Click on the following link to experience how students engage with their teachers and classmates online, in a recorded session where students from around the country come together outside of class to discuss the results of the "iGeneration" survey with their teacher and hear their insights.

Also, to experience the robust curriculum offered by online learning, click on the following link. Once there, select the green button that says "view multi-media demo." When the demo loads, select media-rich curriculum to experience how online learning is effectively teaching today's iGeneration.

Online Public School:
*  Tuition-free
*  Students follow a traditional school year
*  Students may be required to take standardized state tests

Online Private School:
*  Students can enroll any time of the year
*  Complete flexibility for students to create their own schedule and have 12 months to complete their courses
*  Students are offered optional mid-term and end of course assessments to measure achievement growth
*  Work with other students from across the US and around the world!

Online learning Student Survey:
A recent survey found that compared to traditional learning environments, online learning is proving to be an effective way in teaching today's "iGeneration" who live in a world of customized and instant feedback. Here are highlights from the survey:

* 72% of online students spend three or more hours on homework per week vs. 56% of students in traditional schooling.

* 54% of online students get more challenges when they are doing well in school vs. 49% of students in traditional schooling.

* 58% of online students get more help when they fall behind vs. 40% of students in traditional schooling.

* Online students have more interest in attending a four year college after graduation than students in traditional schooling. 78% vs. 67%

Online Learning Successes:

Chicago Public Schools
Online learning is well suited for various learning styles and helps those who've fallen behind. More than 1,000 Chicago Public School (CPS) students who were at risk of not graduating from high school have received their diplomas this month with the rest of the CPS Class of 2010 after earning the credits needed to graduate through an innovative virtual learning program at 75 schools across CPS.

Military Family
Karl, a child of a military family, moved numerous times throughout his high school years, but wanted a consistent education experience. With online learning, Karl had the chance to excel at his studies and even graduated early with a 4.0 grade average. Karl embraced the independence and self-mastery that online learning fostered.

The Star Athlete
Isadora, a star tennis player, was struggling with the best way to juggle her demanding tournament schedule with a good education. Her parents enrolled her in online learning as a supplement to her local high school, so she was able to get in her two to three hours a day of tennis training - and stay ahead academically.

Click here to see if there is an online school in your state. I live in New York, and if I was looking to register my children to participate in this online schooling, The Keystone School would be available to them. This school offers flexibility, available online and is an accredited middle & high school. Considering Kylie is in 2nd grade and Emma is in pre-school, I still have a ways to go before thinking about enrolling them.

As much as I would love to homeschool my children, to put it in layman’s terms, financially I would not be able to quit my job, stay home and teach my kids while living off of my husband’s salary. Our children have always been in public schools. There are so many pros to online schooling that I feel our children would benefit from, i.e., one-on-one teaching, learn at the level they are at (just because of their age, some children are more advanced then others and may feel “bored” in a classroom type setting learning something they already know about, or if your child is having difficulties learning, this one-on-one learning would definitely be beneficial to that student.

Check out Online School Solutions to see if this is something your child(ren) will benefit from.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Select on behalf of KC Distance Learning Inc. and received a $20 gift card to Target to facilitate my review.