PV student involvement in dual enrollment classes has drastically increased this school year. Many of these courses are online, which has sparked concerns about the validity and value of online learning compared to traditional in-person classes. While online classes are convenient, they lack many of the benefits of a physical classroom.
Traditional classrooms provide a rich learning environment that online classes are not able to replicate. The collaboration and direct engagement between educators, students, and their peers increases the value of a classroom through immediate feedback and teamwork.
Senior Year Plus makes it possible for Iowa high school students to potentially get college credit out of the courses, but the high school has to finance every modality of the course and cover the cost of books. Additionally, they have to pay for a student if they withdraw, and the student can take the course again. At PV, some students withdraw from an in-person dual enrollment class and then sign up immediately for the online through SCC in the same semester, making it so that PV has to pay double for the same course.
Programs like this have led to an increase in the number of PV students choosing dual enrollment classes.
In Spring 2023, PV began paying anywhere from $28k to $38k per semester for dual enrollment classes. Prior to this, the school at least broke even or sometimes even profited from state funding.
During the 2023-24 school year, PV students covered 350 credit hours during first semester and 500 during second semester. This year, those numbers have skyrocketed, with the 2024-25 school year covering 669 credit hours first semester and 991 second semester.
Many of these courses are offered online, which makes them accessible to a larger number of students and allows easier scheduling. One of the most popular dual enrollment courses at PV is public speaking. This semester, every section of public speaking classes are full, reflecting the increase in demand.
But can students truly master public speaking without an in-person audience?
Face-to-face interactions are essential for learning how to speak confidently. “Part of the fun and appeal of being in a public speaking class is getting to know everyone and developing a community of learning, and I just don’t think we get that in an online class.” said Public Speaking teacher Robyn Samuelson. “The learning is so limited, there’s a lack of community and interface with the professor and even if others online discussion forms it is not nearly the richness of engaging in dialogue in real time. As a learner and as a teacher I understand the need for online learning, but I think that it is very limited overall.”
Opportunity for student growth in online classes is very limited. Samuelson also emphasized the importance of practicing under pressure. “In a class like public speaking, which is a skills based class, the opportunity to practice the skills is not the same. It’s much less pressure and the pressure is what leads students to succeed in the class,” she continued.
However, some students see online learning as an advantage.
“Taking online classes during my eighth grade year really expanded my view of online learning,” senior Ziqian Chen said. “It was very flexible and convenient, but most importantly, provided a low pressure environment to practice. That’s why I chose to take online public speaking. I get to have multiple takes of my speeches and choose people I am comfortable with as my audience.”
Beyond public speaking, the validity of online learning for classes like Calculus l and those that carry a heavier curriculum is facing scrutiny due to concerns about academic integrity. Some professors worry that students rely on external help rather than mastering the course material themselves, which can undermine the credibility of online education.
Online learning has its place in education, especially due to its flexibility and accessibility, making it a valuable tool for students juggling busy schedules or who seek a more comfortable learning environment. However, for subjects that require interaction, critical thinking skills and in-person practice, the value of online learning is contentious.
As dual enrollment and online classes continue to grow, it is important to find a balance that uses technology to enhance learning while preserving the benefits of the classroom.
