Ever since the COVID-19 Pandemic, education has changed. With many students choosing to remain enrolled in online school and many others deciding to reenroll online, causing online school to emerge as a popular alternative to regular in person schooling.
According to Michigan Virtual Academy, the number of virtual enrollments from full-time virtual schools increased from 449,188 in 2022-2023 to 499,793 this year with approximately 49 percent of the virtual enrollments came from full-time virtual learners and about 70 percent of these students being high schoolers. As the number of online students continues to grow, many parents and educators worry that online coursework and classes are not as effective as in person-learning.
Veronic Garas ’27 recently made the change from in person to virtual said she feels she is doing better in her online academic endeavors. “I went online because I needed a restart,” Garas said. “My grades have improved and I ‘ve been more at ease,” Garas said.
When asked about the similarities of in-person and online school and her preference, Garas said she preferred the social aspects of being in person but much rather preferred the learning style and workload of online school.
Briann Thienel ’27, a former online student, had a different experience.
“I barely learned anything in online school, most of it was simply reviewing or doing random worksheets,” Thienel said. “During lessons everyone was on their phones or games and that’s exactly what I was doing. I was never fully engaged in a lesson except if I was joking around during it with others, but never actually absorbing content,” Thienel said.
Thienel went on to say that she much preferred attending school in person.
“The only good part of being online was that I got to stay in my pajamas,” Thienel said. “I was never engaged, never learned anything, never felt productive, and always struggled to focus at home. In person, I can focus a lot better, have more personal interactions, get to socialize with peers and collaborate, and feel more engaged in lessons.”
Chemistery teacher Ronald Pinto said he feels that online learning is a valid and effective option, but success in these courses depends on the student and their individual effort.
“As an educator, I believe online schools can be effective, but it really depends on the individual student,” Pinto said. “Online learning offers flexibility, but that flexibility also requires a high level of self‑discipline.”
Pinto added how it can be easy for students to disengage or take shortcuts on assignments if they aren’t intrinsically motivated.
“For online school to work well, students need to stay focused, participate actively, and complete their work honestly. When those expectations are met,” Pinto said. “Online learning can be a valuable option, but it isn’t the best fit for everyone.”
Despite believing in both in-person and online, Pinto said he prefers to teach in-person.
“I personally prefer teaching in person because students tend to be more engaged when we’re all together in the same classroom,” Pinto said. “It also allows me to build stronger, more meaningful relationships with my students, which is an important part of helping them grow both academically and personally.”
