Sitting in a classroom all day can get tiresome.  Some students can get worn out without exerting any real physical effort, but most people think they don’t have a choice.

However, there is a choice that many students do not know about as sophomore Max Anderson has found another option: online classes.

“I have benefitted from online classes by working at my own pace which has allowed me to progress much faster than regular students,” Anderson said. “For example, I finished preAP Chemistry last 6 weeks and am now working on stuff that is college level.”

There can be many advantages to taking classes online.  Among the most attractive to Anderson and other students: it’s flexible to a student’s schedule, there is more one on one instruction with the online tutor, and it allows students the chance to make up for credits for graduation.

“The advantage of these, obviously, is that higher level learning is available to those students,”  gifted and talented coordinator Jan Delisle said.

However, online classes aren’t for everyone. Washington State University recently conducted a study that showed students enrolled in online classes were more likely to drop out or fail, and were the least likely to graduate out of their peers.

Some students struggle in the online environment as many students do better with lectures that can keep them engaged as other students ask questions.

“Having a lecture class in person actually gives you incentive to go to class and have less distractions,” junior Allie Dillard said. “Plus if you have questions you can ask them personally and get full explanations from an expert.”

While traditional classroom learning experiences may never go away, there is now a legitimate alternative.

“Some students enjoy and do well in online courses,” Delisle said. “Others prefer the face-to face learning experience and the interaction with students.  In the future of education, both options should be available.”