Online Learning Works for Student Athletes

It’s March Madness which means there’s no better time to think about college athletes. Sports can really be incredible opportunity for so many of our students today- a great ticket to success not only in college, but in life. Still, the road to becoming a college athlete is not at all easy. Luckily, with all the development happening in the online learning space, alternative pathways are making it easier for all students, including student athletes, to succeed at their own time and pace.

By enrolling at Florida Virtual School, student athletes in Florida, as well as all over the country, get the courses they need with the options that work for them:

• Anytime, anyplace access to courses not offered at your school
• Flexible scheduling to work around an athlete’s busy calendar
• AP courses to help students get a head start on college credits
• Supplemental courses that offer the ability to catch up and graduate on time or accelerate to graduate early

It’s just that many people don’t know is that FLVS core courses are NCAA approved, allowing students to stay eligible as they move onto college and take part in their college sport.

Students and parents who are unfamiliar with FLVS or even online learning may not be sure what to expect. FLVS students are not signing  up for MOOC or Khan academy-like course, with recorded curriculum where students  just hit the play button and then take a cookie cutter quiz after “finishing” the content. Every FLVS student, whether in the state of Florida or registered at FLVS Global have a real life assigned teacher who works one on one with them, is on call and stays connected to their students throughout their course.

As students work  through the course, they connect with their teacher to take exams online and receive discussion-based assessments over the phone. They talk with the teacher via phone at least once per month- during which they are provided with their progress report, and also the opportunity to speak with the teacher and ask questions. Once students complete the course, grades are made available and sent directly to the school or district of record. They then appear on the transcript, just like all other grades.
This teacher-student connection is one important aspect allowing for the NCAA approval. Also, the competent monitoring of student progress, exams and outcomes that FLVS holds as top priority provides for the NCAA to feel confident and approve the fact that FLVS students are doing the work, learning and mastering the content, just like their counter-part students in brick and mortar classrooms.
Online learning is not just for “certain” students- the real beauty of it that is allows school to work for students in new and innovative ways. That definitely includes the students who are motivated to succeed in athletics as well as the classroom.
 
FLVS is a Getting Smart Advocacy Partner.