The Benefits of Self-Paced Learning

When most Canadian adults think of their grade school education, they're flooded with memories of sitting quietly behind a wooden desk, surrounded by their peers, listening to a string of lectures. No one stopped to think about whether it was the best way to learn, nor whether it benefited every student. You went along with it because - well - it was the way things had always been done. 

But technology has called the old model into question - the same way it has in many other industries and daily operations. Now, we are seeing a surge in "self-paced learning," a learning model facilitated by the rise of online schools in Canada. 

Essentially, self-paced learning allows students to work on their own timeline and schedule. Rather than require students to move through course units at a single pace (which can engender competition and frustrate slow or quick students), each student may take as long or as little as they need for unit/course completion. 

It sounds simple, doesn't it? But this simple paradigm shift happening at online schools has had profound effects on learning outcomes and student confidence. To illustrate this post, let's explore four benefits of online learning. 

A Lifeline for Struggling Students

Behind the concept of self-paced learning is the humanist notion that everyone can learn if given the right circumstances. Every student has the capacity to understand math, for instance - some may just need a little extra time to parse out the details. 

Self-paced learning allows students who traditionally struggle in brick-and-mortar classroom settings to flourish. In a self-paced atmosphere, these kids can take the time they need to absorb, understand and retain unfamiliar information. They do not have to worry about competing for pace with the most math-fluent student in the class. 

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An Opportunity to Get Ahead

Conversely, self-paced learning allows students to get ahead in their classes. If a student displays particular adeptness and talent in English class, for instance, they may work through the English courses quicker. They do not have to wait for a unit to expire to move on to the next one. 

Self-paced online schools may be a good fit for gifted students who feel bored in their classes. Parents of gifted students are encouraging them to take Grade 12 Chemistry online, for instance, so that they can stay actively engaged with their studies, earn credits and potentially graduate quicker, and go on to pursue their grander ambitions. 

An Acknowledgement of Extracurriculars

Some parents and students like self-paced learning because it leaves room for extracurricular interests. For instance, a student might show a virtuosic knack for playing the violin or dominating the soccer pitch. However, since their daytimes are consumed by a large, fixed block of school time, they have little opportunity to practice. 

In this way, self-paced online schools take the best part of homeschool education (namely, the flexibility) while still leaving the teaching to professional educators. 

Rewriting Classroom Dynamics

For some students, classroom dynamics - like bullying, peer pressure and power imbalances - are the toughest part of school. At best, they are a distraction; at worst, they can damage a young student's confidence in their abilities. 

Self-paced online schools cannot entirely rid a student's life of bullying, but it can mitigate the issue. Because students work on their own timeline from their home computer, they are not distracted or bothered by peers during study hours. 

As online schools gain popularity, so too will self-paced learning. Luckily, the self-paced model has several advantages for students.