Westview plans to add three additional online classes to the course catalog next year. Civics/Econ, US History, and World History will be added to Westview’s course offerings, residing alongside two existing online courses: A.P. Computer Science and ENS.
Unlike the current online classes available through Poway Virtual Courses (PVC), the newest additions to the course listings are overseen by the school and taught by teachers on our own campus. These new courses are slated to become advantageous options for many students, and beneficial additions for various teachers as well.
For students who are involved in sports, the flexible schedule gives the freedom of an off-roll while still allowing students to learn and earn credits. This asynchronous work, according to an MIT resource, is beneficial as it allows students to review study materials at their own speed and pace themselves so that they make the best of their learning. For student athletes who have to manage demanding sport schedules, the freedom to listen to a lecture when they have the time minimizes stress. According to a Forbes article, increased stress from rigid schedules and tight due dates can be alleviated by an employer or teacher allowing work to be completed when students feel the most productive.
Even for those without a sport, flexible work can break up the six-hour monotony of the school day, allowing students to pursue their academics on their own time. Currently, next year’s online history classes are expected to have one in-person meeting day a week and Civics/Econ is planned to be solely asynchronous. This schedule combines the many benefits of remote work with the ability to connect in-person and facilitate class-wide discussion.
In addition, the self-directed learning that these classes require mimic collegiate courses, of which have become increasingly virtual. According to Forbes, 50% of college students took distance education courses in the fall of 2022, and the e-learning market is projected to grow by 20.5% from 2022-2030. By teaching students how to build their own schedule, and fit in academics in a way that works for them, these new online courses could prove very valuable.
Online courses not only mimic future academia, but also the real-world. According to an article in the New York Times, around 20% of workers’ schedules are either hybrid or fully remote. School is meant to prepare us for the future, and ensuring that students have the skills to manage future environments is an incredibly important part of developing Westview’s online class program.
Westview’s teachers will also benefit from the increased number of online courses offered. Unlike PVC, which outsources teachers from Poway-to-Palomar Middle College, Westview teachers, like Social Sciences teacher Chris Fousek, will be overseeing student learning.
Online courses, aside from being a break in a student’s school day, can also help add variety to teachers’ days. While much work is required to create assignments and grade them, record lectures, and do all the other things a successful instructional period needs, flexibility is built into the classes’ format. Lectures can be recorded in advance, and grading time can be built into previously full class periods.
Given that last year, the district was forced to cut many PVC courses due to budget constraints, it’s admirable that Westview seems to have recognized the utility and need for these kinds of classes, and has put in effort to expand the number and variety of course options for students.