Virtual Arkansas Takes Over

Virtual Arkansas is a virtual class where students in Arkansas learn and work on their assignments on the internet. Star City High School in Star City, Arkansas offers several different Virtual Arkansas classes. Star City High offers Earth Science, ACT Prep, Criminal Law, Art Appreciation, US Government & Politics, Sign Language, French, etc. Almost half of Star City High School students are enrolled in at least one Virtual Arkansas class. However, a lot of students are not fond of it.

“I do not learn well being taught on the computer or having to teach myself. I am a very slow learner and I need my teacher’s attention a lot more than I get on Virtual Arkansas classes. I want to learn the subjects that are offered, but in a different way. I'd prefer working the classroom,” said Star City High School student, Sydney Hackney.

Virtual Arkansas classes do benefits students. Students are able to access the classes outside of school considering it is an online class. Students are also taught how to work with certain software and learn more computer skills. However, Virtual Arkansas classes are also bad for students. There are some students who are not capable of learning through a computer, therefore their grades will drop. There are also scheduled times to video chat with your teachers, so students may only be able to contact their teachers a few times a week.

“Sometimes it takes my teachers a day or two to respond to my emails and I don't get one on one time with my teacher while we video chat. There is always other students on there, so it is hard to talk to my teacher alone,” continued Sydney.

Virtual Arkansas classes are taking over schools and becoming mandatory, and that is just as bad as it is beneficial for students.