(ARA) – Today’s middle and high school students, who have been called the “iGeneration,” are the first to crave and benefit from on-demand education – or, in other words, the option to choose where, when and how they want to learn.

To put it in context, the iGeneration (where the “i” stands for “information”) has never known life without the Internet, being mobile, using avatars, instant messaging or choosing and watching content whether they are at home, in the car, at a football game or shopping at the mall. To reach them in their high-tech, high-touch world, many parents and educators are looking at how to rewire schools to match how the iGeneration learns.

Taking classes online is one way to give middle and high school students (and their school districts) new options to learn using preferred tools in a familiar environment. Through online learning, students can even experience enhanced, one-on-one relationships with educators. Whether they’re in need of more assistance, looking for a wider range of classes or simply prefer to learn in a medium that they have grown up with, online learning can be a great way to fit your child’s needs.

A recent study conducted by Aventa Learning found that compared to traditional learning environments, online learning is an effective way to teach students who live in a world of customized and instant feedback. Online learning offers a robust and challenging curriculum, as 72 percent of online students spend three or more hours on homework per week versus 56 percent of students in traditional schools.

With online learning, teachers are able to provide a more individualized learning experience and tailor curriculum to meet each student’s ability and learning speed. In fact, 54 percent of online students report feeling appropriately challenged when they are doing well in school versus 49 percent of students in traditional schools. Online students also receive more attention from teachers, as 58 percent of online students get more help when they fall behind versus 40 percent of students in traditional schools. The survey also found that online learning creates students who are more committed to attending college, as 78 percent of online students have more interest in attending a four-year college after graduation versus 67 percent of students in traditional schools.

Hybrid learning programs

Students are increasingly able to take online classes in partnership with their local school districts that are facing severe budget cuts, school closings and a reduction in faculty. A recent study released by the Center on Education Policy found that 68 percent of districts expect their total budgets to decrease for the 2010-11 school year and three-fourths anticipate cutting teacher positions.

To combat this problem, these school districts are turning to online classes to ensure their students have access to high-quality curriculum and instruction. They use online learning programs to supplement classroom instruction or to offer classes for which they have no teachers, Advanced Placement classes for students who excel and credit recovery options for students who struggle. In fact, today 1 million children are learning online, either part-time, full-time or between school terms. Additionally, more than 20 percent of schools and educational institutions around the country offer online classes today, and that number should grow by another 30 percent within a couple of years, according to industry research.

Through online learning or hybrid programs with traditional schools, students who take online courses are scoring above national averages on both the SAT and ACT tests and have been accepted into more than 160 colleges and universities, including Ivy League schools.

Online learning resources for parents

For parents looking for more options to enhance their child’s education, OnlineSchoolSolutions.com offers online learning options to fit all types of students and learning situations. This website provides academic solutions to fit every child’s needs, including options for home-schooled families, students brushing up on skills to compete at the next level and children facing challenges in traditional schools. For parents of students in brick-and-mortar schools, contact your local school district to find out the online learning options available at your school.