Getting a high school diploma by distance education involves meeting the educational goals and satisfying the requirements of an Internet-based program. This is a method of earning a diploma without attending a traditional high school. Normally, high school involves a schedule of classes during a regular school day on a high school campus with face-to-face meetings with teachers and classmates. Distance education involves meeting course requirements mostly or entirely online.
Various types of people may find distance learning to be a good way for them to earn their high school diploma. It may be useful for people who dropped out of high school, who have had life situations such as pregnancy or illness interrupt their education, or who have decreased mobility or other handicaps. Students who have problems dealing with teachers or classmates or who are trying to get a job that requires at least a diploma may also benefit. These people may find distance education a valuable alternative to traditional high school.
A high school diploma program obtained by distance education means that the student first has to enroll in an appropriate program. Some programs may involve taking an admissions test to assess the skill level of the student. If the student has taken prior high school coursework, the program administrators will probably require a transcript of courses taken and grades earned. Once a student has gained admission and has paid the required fees, he or she must then decide which courses to take unless these are already specified.
Students in high school distance education programs may receive textbooks and other physical materials in the mail. Conversely, all of their course materials, including textbooks, study guides, instructional videos, and assignments may be online. Some programs offer a combination of physical and virtual study materials for students.
In a diploma by distance education program such as this, students may submit assignments online or through email. They may also interact with instructors and/or classmates virtually through email, chat rooms, or video conferences. Students receive their grades and feedback on assignments online, either through email or through their student account, which will require a username and password to enter. While distance education programs in the past required students to receive all course materials and submit all assignments by postal mail, current programs have minimized or eliminated this method.
One advantage of a high school distance education program is the flexible schedule. Students may finish as slowly or as quickly as possible within the guidelines of the program. Their schedules can revolve around work or other activities since they do not always have to attend virtual classes at a certain time. Most programs allow students to work independently and to move on to their next assignments when they have finished their current ones. Like a traditional high school program, a diploma by distance education program still requires that students demonstrate competency in basic subject areas such as language, mathematics, history, and science.