PARKVILLE, Mo. — The education experts at Park University in Parkville, Missouri, believe online learning is here to stay.
Many schools, at all levels, have turned to online courses because COVID-19 forced them to shut down their physical buildings.
This summer, leaders at Park University will launch the “Early Online College Program.” It offers high school sophomores, juniors and seniors the chance to take two college courses during the summer.
The provost said the goal of the program is two-fold: One, it gives high school students the chance to earn college credit. Two, it helps younger students fine-tune their online learning habits.
“Having the skill set and ability to learn in an online environment is something we can help students do,” explained Michelle Myers, the university’s provost.
Park University was one of the first universities in the country to offer online courses, beginning in the 1990s.
Students can choose to take two of the following three classes: Introduction to sociology, public speaking or American government.
The university chose prerequisites which students can transfer to any college or university later on. Classes begin June 8, and students can register online here.
Because the pandemic has forced families to tighten their budgets, Park University is offering courses in this program at a 75 percent discount.
“Both parents may have lost a job, one of the parents may have lost a job. We’re trying to get there and let them know we’re here and we’re here to help,” Myers said.
Other universities have similarly tailored their educational approaches to focus on online learning. The University of Missouri will add more than 20 degree fields to its online catalog in the fall. Kansas State University published a list of resources to help current and future students get the most out of online learning.
Here is your Rebound Rundown:
- Park University expects online courses to only increase at all levels of education.
- The university is offering online, college-level classes to high schoolers this summer.
- Educational experts suggest students hone their online learning strategies sooner rather than later.
- Online learning involves many of the same skills as being in classroom like note-taking, time management and reading comprehension.