Top 5 Ways On-Demand Courses Might be Right for You
You may have heard that online learning can be flexible and customizable, but with terms like synchronous vs. asynchronous and rolling enrollment vs. fall/spring, it can be difficult to visualize how online learning can meet your learning needs. In this post, we’re going to unpack our on-demand courses, which enroll students on a rolling basis.
What is an on-demand?
On-demand is another word for rolling enrollment. What does this mean exactly? Unlike the courses offered at brick-and-mortar K-12 schools, on-demand courses don’t just begin at the start of the fall and spring semesters: they can be started whenever you’re ready to begin learning at any point in the year. They also offer flexible pacing, because they don’t need to be finished before the semester ends. Rather, they are completed six months after the start date (or sooner).
Wondering whether an on-demand course is right for you and your learning goals? Here are the top 5 scenarios in which we recommend registering for an on-demand course.
- You’re looking to accelerate your learning
We know that students master material at different paces, and for some students, it may feel like courses can lag when they’re ready to zoom ahead. With on-demand courses, students can accelerate their learning through content modules at whatever pace suits their needs.
The only restriction placed on on-demand courses is that they must be completed within six months, but students with a more voracious appetite for learning can complete them at their own pace. This means that students can knock courses off their plate ahead of schedule, but it also means students can complete more courses in a given time frame, moving on to an additional graduation requirement or course they’re passionate about.
- You’re looking to decelerate your learning
For students who need extra time to master a topic before moving on to the next unit, on-demand courses offer students some additional room to breathe. While typical school semesters conclude at around 18-20 weeks, on-demands offers students 20 weeks to complete the course content, allowing them to progress through course content at a pace that works for them without falling behind.
- You’re behind on graduation requirements
It’s the final semester of your senior year. Your graduation robe is ordered, and you’ve accepted a college admissions or job offer, when you find out that you never completed your school’s physical education requirements. This isn’t just a stress dream: it’s a scenario that many high school seniors find themselves in each year. However, on-demand offers a solution that ensures you’ll still be able to walk during the forthcoming commencement ceremony. No matter how close to graduation you begin your on-demand course, you can finish on time by accelerating your pace through the course accordingly.
- You need summer learning recovery
If you need to retake a graduation requirement, on-demand courses allow you to knock out the course during the summer. Let’s say you need to retake Algebra I: taking an on-demand course allows you to ensure that you can still move on to Geometry the following year, meaning you’ll stay on track.
Not to mention, on-demand courses can be accessed anytime, anywhere you can log online, meaning you don’t have to miss out on any summer activities and can still soak in the sunshine.
- You have an unpredictable schedule
For students with unpredictable schedules, on-demand options allow you to adjust your pace through the course as needed. Maybe you have a part-time job with a busy season, or a sports schedule that makes some parts of the year more hectic than others: on-demands ensure that you can catch up when time allows; there’s no need to maintain a consistent pace over the six months if it’s not conducive to your other goals and obligations.
Getting started
To see a full list of our on-demand offerings, visit our catalog and register whenever you’re ready to unlock flexibility and customization.