Pros of Distributed Learning

What Are Some Good Study Habits? Digital image. Wisegeek. N.p., 27 Oct. 2016. Web. 13 Nov. 2016.

In public school, students have the advantage of learning in a classroom environment with many students who all work at the same pace and level.

Misconception:

There are many advantages of being a distributed learner according to popular belief. Let’s see… we get to start school whenever we want, we have the option to choose our subjects (finger painting, building blocks, or colour by number), and then play video games for the rest of the day. Then, when we make the slightest effort to even begin our work, we resort to friends and family (only the intelligent ones) to do our work for us. We also have a slew of online geniuses from various websites available at a click of the button and a charge to our parents’ credit card. We have Google, Thesaurus.com, 123essays.com and even Tutor Vista - the holy grail of learning at home. Finally, there’s Wikipedia where someone else conducts the research for you. Don’t worry though, it’s not considered plagiarism because people are only trying to help you when they make edits to the site! Now that’s the foundation of the whole home learning environment!

Truth:

There really are many advantages of learning at home but it’s definitely not through cheating! One of the advantages of distributed learning is that it allows us the benefit of working at our own pace, therefore, if we finish a concept early, we can move on to the next lesson without waiting for other students. As well, if we find a concept challenging, we can spend a little more time learning it until we are comfortable enough moving on to the next one. We have the freedom of learning at a rate that is manageable according to what we are learning and how fast we learn it. However, my mom would argue that this isn’t necessarily a good thing, although very infrequently. We have our off days too! Another advantage is one-on-one learning, which allows us to focus better on our work and there aren’t any distractions when we are learning something new. Also, my mom and my teachers are fully aware of my strengths and weaknesses through one-on-one learning, so they are able to tailor my education in a way that allows me to excel. In fact, my mom realized that I had the potential to skip a grade in math, so I actually finished my PreCalculus Math 12 in grade 11. Don’t get me wrong though, distributed learning has its challenges as well such as being self motivated to complete your work without a teacher present, more responsibility of your assignments and due dates, and a lack of interaction with your peers. Although, at the end of the day, it’s a matter of personal choice as to which way of schooling works best for you. Distributed learning is not for everyone, but for me, it is highly rewarding!

For more information on the advantages of home learning, please visit:
http://learningpath.org/articles/Online_High_School_Advantages_and_Disadvantages.html

Post-Secondary

ADoorIntoSummer. Obtaining IQ and Aptitude Tests. Online video clip. Youtube. N.p., 12 July 2102. Web. 12 Nov. 2016.

Students in public high school prepare for post-secondary education in their final year, as this is the next step in furthering their education.

Misconception:

Many people think that I have no desire to pursue post-secondary education as a distributed learner. My mom often hears comments such as, “I guess he’s not going to university” or “The universities won’t allow him in if he’s home schooled, right?” Many people believe that my mission post graduation is only limited to the ultimate dream – that entry-level job at McDonald’s. If I am really smart then perhaps a bonus - the entry-level job at the McDonald’s DRIVE THRU. I mean, how could I handle post-secondary? Maybe I’m overextending my options when I plan to apply to the Beedie School of Business at SFU or the Sauder School of Business at UBC. I really do hope they allow me to come in my pyjamas and only take half a course so that I can earn my degree in say, about 20 years!

Truth:

It’s not like I am required to take an aptitude test by the universities that I will be applying to in order to prove myself as a potential student. There are also no special enrolment processes at post-secondary schools, with a batch of distributed learner applicants, all waiting for the bright red “REJECT” stamp. In fact, my brother, who was also a home learner, is in his second year at SFU pursuing his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in the hopes of obtaining a PhD in Psychiatry at UBC. Another student at my school is studying to become an Astrophysicist at UBC in the Honours program. I’m not sure if everyone has achieved such successes because I’m sure there are home learners who haven’t attained their goals either. I think it’s safe to say, though, that we are just as smart and have the same opportunities as public high school kids.

For more information on post-secondary education and distributed learning, please visit:
http://bchla.bc.ca/resources/post-secondary/homeschool-to-higher-ed/

Socialization

Koehler. "Homeschool Renunion." Pinterest. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2016.

When you go to a public high school, there is an element of socialization or that “high school experience.” It is believed by many people that distributed learners do not know how to be social and have limited opportunities to engage with their peers.

Misconception:

When you are schooled at home, people think you are weird or a recluse. They assume that you never leave your house and that you are socially awkward because you are not surrounded by other teens. Many people comment that I am missing out on the “high school experience.” I wonder what they mean by high school experience. I know what it means, but what else can it be … having a locker? Maybe people feel that I am missing out on the stresses of a combination lock where the needle just doesn’t seem to hit the line and you are scrambling that thing incessantly like a ticking time bomb about to explode! Maybe it’s that I don’t have the opportunity to go to a high school football game? I think they mistake that for Madden on the PS4 in today’s generation. Hanging out with friends? I think they mean Facebook, Twitter and texting in this era. Perhaps it’s that I will miss out on the high school dance chaperoned by our parents? You know … the ones of yesteryear.

Truth:

I understand why some people assume that I am an introvert because I am cooped up at home alone or with my mom, and I am not surrounded by my peers. I also understand what they mean by weird; however, in my case, they may just be correct in their assumption! I have friends and we do things like go to the mall, go to the movies, play video games at a friend’s house, or even attend a house party. It’s not like I’m from a different planet and don’t understand how to be a teenager! I just choose to be schooled at home, which doesn’t mean that my pets are my only friends and I look forward to my next Skype test so I have some kind of human interaction with my… umm… Physics teacher! I lead a pretty normal life besides learning at home. I consider myself to be a typical teenager with similar teenage problems as any other public high school student. However, I think that people have a point when they assume that socialization is difficult to fulfill in a home learning environment without access to other outlets where I can connect with my peers. If I was not involved in extracurricular activities, then I would also have difficulty meeting other people my age. Nonetheless, I am fortunate to have a balance in my life where I have friends and lead a pretty normal teenage life.

For more information on socialization, please visit:
http://ontariohomeschool.org/socialization/

Courses

MeWannaiPhone. Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock..... Online video clip. YouTube. N.p., 19 Nov. 2008. Web. 10 Nov. 2016.

The course work that public high school kids have to do is structured and laid out with expected timelines and due dates for assignments and exams. Many people believe that home learners have unstructured courses and are free to learn in an informal manner.

Misconception:

My day in school begins with the Lord’s Prayer followed by about an hour or two of religion study. Then, I get to choose which subjects I would like to do for the day by a game of Rock, Paper Scissors with my mom. If she’s lucky, I will even write her a metaphor-filled poem because who doesn’t love a good sonnet on a Monday morning. After all, she’s the one who marks all my work! Perhaps if I clean my room and my bathroom, she will give me an “A” on my Chemistry test. What kind of mom would she be otherwise if she didn’t give me straight A’s?

Truth:

Wow! I only wish school was this easy! Religion is not a requirement for home learners. Our school does not offer courses in religion; they only offer courses acceptable by the Ministry of Education. Although, I could use some divine intervention in completing some of my more challenging courses at times! All of the courses that a distributed learning school offers are structured and have deadlines for assignments and exams. However, there is more flexibility surrounding the deadlines depending on the pace of individual home learners. My mom also doesn’t mark my work nor does she comment on my metaphor-filled poetry; she only guides my learning. We have BC Certified teachers marking our work and exams according to provincial guidelines. We also have to take courses we don’t necessarily like such as Physics or Biology in order to graduate or to pursue post-secondary education. The only thing that changes is that we have the option of staying home (especially on those rain-soaked days) and completing our courses online. Oh, and I can go to the beach when it is really hot outside and do my work there too if I really want to. Who am I kidding? Who does school work at the beach anyways?

For more information on distributed learning courses, please visit:
http://www.scides.ca/contact-us/blog/entry/distributed-learning-vs-home-schooling

Typical School Day

Waking Up For School. Digital image. Memecenter.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2016.

Most people are aware of a typical day for a student in public high school. However, not too many people know what a typical day in the life of a home learner is all about. 

Misconception:

My day begins with my mom frantically knocking at my door like an overzealous drill sergeant. Slowly, I drag myself out of bed from the unwelcome clamour at around noon after pulling an all-nighter of Call of Duty Infinite Warfare on my PS4. Barely awake, I proceed to begin my day of school still wearing my pyjamas and my hair disheveled as I attempt to do my math, which is clearly a dead issue at this point. But why do the math myself when I can just bribe my sister to do it for me? That way, I can catch up on the much-needed sleep after a game of colonizing new moons and planets for half the night! Now that’s what distributed learning is all about!

Truth:

Although this might define life in a day of a home learner for some people, it is the furthest thing from the truth! I actually start my day like most high school kids, well... not really! I wake up and go for a run at 7:00 am – I don’t know any high school kid that goes for a run at 7:00 but I could be wrong! I take a shower and get dressed for my school day to begin at 8:30 until 2:30 everyday. I work on a semester system where I do four courses from September to January and then the next four from February to June, just like the public school system schedule. The only difference between my day and a day in a public school student’s day is that I do my work online while public school students actually attend class. Although we do not have a teacher physically present, we are accountable for all of our work and there is a zero-tolerance policy for academic dishonesty. We also have a personable relationship with our teachers where they have the ability to closely monitor all of our work, including exams. Everything else remains the same as any other public high school student. There are times when I don’t feel like studying or doing my work and also times when I tune out or feel lazy and bored. For the most part, however, I get my work done to the best of my ability because I know I have to be self-motivated in order to succeed as a distributed learner.

For more information on distributed learning in BC, please visit:
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/administration/kindergarten-to-grade-12/distributed-learning

About

This blog is about addressing and educating people about the misconceptions of distributed learning from my own experience. There is a vast majority of people who do not realize that there is a difference between distributed learning and homeschooling.

Distributed learning offers the same opportunities as a public high school in BC where the courses are approved by the Ministry of Education and are supervised by a certified teacher in BC. There are specific curriculum guidelines according to required provincial standards, which are identical to the public school system including taking provincial exams. Distributed learning courses are also used as credits towards a high school diploma and admission into post-secondary institutions.

Homeschooling is an alternative method of schooling where a family member, such as a parent, teaches their child or children at home. Home schooling programs are not supervised by a B.C.certified teacher, they are not required to meet provincial standards and they are not inspected by the Ministry of Education. Homeschooling also does not lead to a high school diploma.

For more information on the differences between distributed learning and traditional homeschooling in BC, please visit:

http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/ways-to-learn/homeschooling