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Online learning will always have a place in Education
Posted on May 07, 2020
While Open Access College has been conducting online classes for years, it’s only recently that the concept of distance learning has truly been noticed by most of the Aussie population. And the challenges that “learning from home” brings has prompted a lot of discussion, for example, questions like: “Is online learning really good for children?” or “Don’t students need more face to face interaction?”
Most of us who work at Open Access College would have come across the casual question from friends and acquaintances, “Isn’t it better for students to go to a regular school?” And most of us would have replied with something along the lines of - “sometimes…”
Online learning can be truly beneficial to select groups of students, in fact, many of our students couldn’t do their schooling any other way. We have some who are so remote that going to school is just not an option, or elite sportspeople who could not possibly train and compete without a flexible schooling system.
Then there are those students who are disadvantaged in some way - students with physical medical conditions who need to stay at home, or students with mental illness who need to recover from severe bullying or other problems at their normal school. Our Student Wellbeing Leaders tirelessly check on these students, to see how they are tracking, and if it’s viable for them to go back to their regular school.
And then we have our senior students who want to learn specific subjects, so they can follow their career dreams - but perhaps their school doesn’t offer the subject at a time they can attend, or maybe not at all. So they can enrol in just one subject with OAC.
Our teachers, leaders and support staff all feel passionately that online learning is a force for good, and has an important place in the education system. But don’t take our word for it, our students have told us so.
ABC's Behind the News features OAC students
Elke from SOTA and Nikola share their online learning tips with Australia.
Mikayla's Inspirational Speech about Overcoming Anxiety
Mikayla recently graduated from Open Access College. Back in 2018 she delivered the Student Leader speech to an audience of 600 people at the OAC Awards Ceremony, despite having in the past suffered from debilitating anxiety. Her inspirational speech was a highlight of the ceremony for many.
Kiara made her studies work for her
As one of our "Student Achievers", Kiara shared her experience of Open Access College, and how studying with us has enabled her to work towards her goals. Read more.
The Crows Biggest Signing!
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Piper says her communication skills improved from online lessons
Piper did Stage 2 Health with Open Access College while enrolled at her normal school. She believes that having to engage with people in an unfamiliar, but encouraging, online space contributed to her improvement with communication. She went on to study a Bachelor of Health and Medical Science at Uni. Read more.
Online lessons kept James connected while his medical condition isolated him
After struggling with an often debilitating medical condition, James found that OAC gave him the support and attention he needed to find his career pathway. Read more.
Joshua finds passion for the Spanish language while working on the family farm
On a 600 acre farm running cattle and sheep, Josh started OAC in year 8, learning Spanish. He discovered a love of the language, and continued with it - studying Spanish all the way through to year 12. He also undertook other subjects at OAC in year 12, and says that the ongoing support from his teacher helped him to commit to his learning. Read more.