Student Interview: Amanda O.
Interview conducted via email via Director of Mountain Heights on October 22, 2013
1. Why did you choose to go to an online high school?
I chose to go to an online school so I would have more time to play the cello and pursue my other interests.
2. What led you to choose Mountain Heights in particular?
My mom found out about Open High School last year online and I was skeptical at first but it turned out to be the best school I've been to so far!
3. What was your favorite aspect of online learning?
I like being able to create my own schedule and take breaks when I need them. Also, learning math while eating nutella sandwiches is nice.
4. What was your favorite aspect of Mountain Heights in particular?
I like all the social interaction we get even though we are in an online environment. I have lots of good friends at my school.
5. What was your least-favorite aspect of online learning?
I tend to procrastinate, so it's sometimes hard to get everything done without procrastinating. Online school definitely takes some self discipline.
6. What was your least-favorite aspect of your High School in particular?
I only had problems when the Google was redoing its code and the school site was really slow, but I really couldn't find anything else to say that I don't like.
7. Was it difficult for you to get enough social interaction?
No. I have both online friends and friends in my neighborhood, so I don't feel isolated at all. Also, I get to meet people from my school at our activities and talk to them face to face, so I'm never lacking social interaction.
8. How would you compare the quality of your educational experience with that you would have had if you had gone to a traditional school?
I like going to an online school because it can be more personal. There is more of a guarantee that the teachers are going to be there to help you in an online school, and I have certainly made use of that, especially in math.
9. Would you recommend online learning to anyone your age? If not, what type of student might you interview online learning to, if any?
If not, what type of student might you interview online learning to, if any? I might recommend it to friends who do other forms of homeschool, or people I know who are especially busy.
10. Would you recommend your particular school? Explain.
I would totally recommend my school because the teachers are very helpful, the activities are awesome, and the assignments are creative and fun. There is also no bullying that I have heard of here, and everyone seems to be friendly and nice.
11. What skills do you think online learners need to have that traditional learners do not?
I think they learn really fast just how many things you can do with google and other tech tools.
12. What skills do you think you developed because of your online experience that you probably would not have developed at a traditional high school?
I think I learned how to manage my time better because I was in charge of my own schedule.
13. What are your short-term goals?
I want to pick up some cello students, finish my novel, and clean my room.
14. What are your long-term goals?
I want to go to sequential art school and possibly play the cello professionally. I also want to publish a book.
15. How did going to this school help you get closer to your goals?
I'm home, so when I get inspiration for my book I can write it down, or if there's something I really need to practice on the cello, I can make time for it.
16. If you had it to do all over again, would you choose online learning, and if so, the same online school? Explain.
I totally would choose the same school, because it has been the best school I've gone to so far.
17. Did you make friends virtually? Explain.
I have lots of virtual friends. We usually communicate over twitter or google chat, ant it's good to talk to them. When I wasn't able to check my social media as often in the summer, I missed them.
18. What would you say makes a good online instructor? What characteristics are necessary/helpful for the instructor to be effective in an online environment?
My favorite teachers have a sense of humor, and they communicate with their students often.
19. What is your favorite memory of high school?
My favorite memory was last year's end of year gala. There was lots of dancing and biscotti, and they played one of our favorite songs! I had a great time with friends, signing yearbooks and stuff!
20. Do you have anything else you'd like to add?
Online school is awesome! :D
1. Why did you choose to go to an online high school?
I chose to go to an online school so I would have more time to play the cello and pursue my other interests.
2. What led you to choose Mountain Heights in particular?
My mom found out about Open High School last year online and I was skeptical at first but it turned out to be the best school I've been to so far!
3. What was your favorite aspect of online learning?
I like being able to create my own schedule and take breaks when I need them. Also, learning math while eating nutella sandwiches is nice.
4. What was your favorite aspect of Mountain Heights in particular?
I like all the social interaction we get even though we are in an online environment. I have lots of good friends at my school.
5. What was your least-favorite aspect of online learning?
I tend to procrastinate, so it's sometimes hard to get everything done without procrastinating. Online school definitely takes some self discipline.
6. What was your least-favorite aspect of your High School in particular?
I only had problems when the Google was redoing its code and the school site was really slow, but I really couldn't find anything else to say that I don't like.
7. Was it difficult for you to get enough social interaction?
No. I have both online friends and friends in my neighborhood, so I don't feel isolated at all. Also, I get to meet people from my school at our activities and talk to them face to face, so I'm never lacking social interaction.
8. How would you compare the quality of your educational experience with that you would have had if you had gone to a traditional school?
I like going to an online school because it can be more personal. There is more of a guarantee that the teachers are going to be there to help you in an online school, and I have certainly made use of that, especially in math.
9. Would you recommend online learning to anyone your age? If not, what type of student might you interview online learning to, if any?
If not, what type of student might you interview online learning to, if any? I might recommend it to friends who do other forms of homeschool, or people I know who are especially busy.
10. Would you recommend your particular school? Explain.
I would totally recommend my school because the teachers are very helpful, the activities are awesome, and the assignments are creative and fun. There is also no bullying that I have heard of here, and everyone seems to be friendly and nice.
11. What skills do you think online learners need to have that traditional learners do not?
I think they learn really fast just how many things you can do with google and other tech tools.
12. What skills do you think you developed because of your online experience that you probably would not have developed at a traditional high school?
I think I learned how to manage my time better because I was in charge of my own schedule.
13. What are your short-term goals?
I want to pick up some cello students, finish my novel, and clean my room.
14. What are your long-term goals?
I want to go to sequential art school and possibly play the cello professionally. I also want to publish a book.
15. How did going to this school help you get closer to your goals?
I'm home, so when I get inspiration for my book I can write it down, or if there's something I really need to practice on the cello, I can make time for it.
16. If you had it to do all over again, would you choose online learning, and if so, the same online school? Explain.
I totally would choose the same school, because it has been the best school I've gone to so far.
17. Did you make friends virtually? Explain.
I have lots of virtual friends. We usually communicate over twitter or google chat, ant it's good to talk to them. When I wasn't able to check my social media as often in the summer, I missed them.
18. What would you say makes a good online instructor? What characteristics are necessary/helpful for the instructor to be effective in an online environment?
My favorite teachers have a sense of humor, and they communicate with their students often.
19. What is your favorite memory of high school?
My favorite memory was last year's end of year gala. There was lots of dancing and biscotti, and they played one of our favorite songs! I had a great time with friends, signing yearbooks and stuff!
20. Do you have anything else you'd like to add?
Online school is awesome! :D