Teaching America's Youth: Debating the Most Effective School Systems

My life has been defined by diversity of experience, specifically through my exposure to different kinds of educational environments. By experiencing both traditional education and online schooling firsthand, I feel comfortable in concluding that while online schooling has its purpose, traditional schooling is generally better.

Those who plan to effectively use online schooling must have extraordinary drive and a sense of responsibility. By not having a physical teacher at your side to motivate and explain the material to you, it is easy to get lost, if not put off the work altogether. Also, it is difficult to understand conceptual subjects in which you must teach yourself. In my personal case, those subjects were math and science, whereas subjects such as English and history were easier to do independently. Lastly, when enrolled in classes online, the student is not surrounded by their peers. While some may see that as a good thing, I believe that your peers can inspire you and challenge your thinking. The entire concept of learning is exposing oneself to ideas they hadn’t previously thought about. Being isolated in front of a computer is not the most effective way to do that.

However, online schooling is great for people who don’t feel comfortable in a regular school setting, have other daytime engagements such as work or parenting, or can’t follow a traditional school schedule. Online schooling allows the student to get work done on their own time, minimizing stress and confliction with his or her schedule.

In summary, as a high school and future college student, a crucial part of success is academic commitment. Though I may not believe that online schooling is the most effective means of education, I believe educational institutions should provide that option to students who don’t excel in ordinary school settings.   


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Chelsea. Traditional Classroom. RHL.org. RHL, 7 June 2012. Web. 15 Nov. 2012.