Sometimes, North Atlanta students sign up for more than their daily school schedule can handle. Luckily for these overachievers, North Atlanta offers online classes, allowing students to cover all of their credits in a throwback fashion. This is by signing students up to Atlanta Virtual Academy, which is a website that uses Edgenuity, an online learning platform.
Similar to in-person school, online classes come with their own set of pros and cons. For senior student Henry Katz, these pros outweigh the cons. Katz takes economics online, which is a required credit for NAHS students to graduate. Economics is one of many classes offered by Atlanta Virtual Academy, and it is one of the more popular courses for students at NAHS. Normally, economics is a compulsory in-person class for students, however, when a student has no room for another class on their schedule, economics can be taken online. “Being able to take economics online has been a lifesaver,” said Katz. “I don’t know if I’d have been able to get the credit otherwise.”
Despite the four years that have passed since the end of COVID-19 online schooling, all students vividly remember how learning was done through platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet. On these platforms, teaching was done in real-time, and teachers would be able to interact with students during class. On the flip side, Edgenuity is completely different. Students watch pre-made videos to learn, and take pre-generated quizzes and tests for grades. Students are also expected to keep themselves on pace, instead of a teacher constantly reminding them. “I can’t stand Edgenuity,” said senior Ramsey Davis. “Every time I log in to my classes, it is mind-numbing.”
One of the biggest challenges of online classes is time management. As previously mentioned, students have no in-person teacher checking in on them to do their work. Instead, the only reminders that they receive are occasional emails from teachers that provide updates on grades. For many students, this is a large shift from the normal in-class learning that they are used to. “During my first semester, I was constantly behind and my grade tanked because of that,” said senior Gabe Hull. “I had to discipline myself into being aware that I am the captain of my own ship.”
Online classes may not be for everyone, but for students with a crammed schedule, it may be the only option. Online classes are a great way to catch up on graduation-required credits, but students must also be sure to stay on track with their work. While Edgenuity may be frustrating at times, it also allows students to become more accountable and independent.
