Make the World Your Classroom
ECOT has helped thousands of students and given them ways to rise to greater heights. However, some remain unsure if learning at home is for them.
Their main reason: they fear isolation from their peers. But there’s good news. ECOT has a full calendar of events and full roster of clubs, perfect for meeting friends. “We know, through student surveys and personal testimony, that many students cited a lack of socialization opportunities as a primary reason they left ECOT in the past,” said Ed Breehl, an ECOT administrator. “Now, we are seeing students stay because they really enjoy the events. We are also hearing new students say that our numerous socialization opportunities are among the factors that brought them to ECOT.” These events help students construct meaningful friendships. They also provide experiences unable to be taught by a teacher lecturing in front of a room of students. In essence, the world is ECOT’s classroom. As time marches on, so does attendance. Word of the vast opportunities, not to mention their popularity, is ever-expanding. The first semester of the 2011-2012 school year had a tally of 2,298 students attend events. In a year’s time, that number grew by 560 students, bringing total student attendance to 2,858. “In a very short time, we have turned a potentially negative aspect of online education into a positive one,” Breehl said. “It’s not just the regional events, but the overall efforts of the events department, the communications department, and the teaching staff.” When students return home from events, the opportunities to reach out to their peers still run strong. Examples include ECOTtv, ECOT Connect, school clubs, and more. “They all offer our students something that was missing just a few years ago,” he said. “When we see families come to event after event and travel all around the state, just to experience the opportunities we are offering, it is very fulfilling. It ensures us that we are providing a much needed and appreciated service.” School officials continue to pull together more and more opportunities for students. All parents and students need to do is stay tuned and join in.
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