New Traditions for a New Generation
Traditions are changing everywhere. Someplace in America, a family is enjoying a Thanksgiving feast of roast turkey, dressing, and cranberry sauce. On another table you may find lasagna, chow mein, or tofu stuffing casserole. Though the spirit of gratitude that marks this holiday remains the same, the way we celebrate is as diverse as the population.
While traditionally, Thanksgiving break is a time to relax and get away, this short respite isn’t necessarily a “break” for many non-traditional students.
Many will be using their time away from school to catch up or get ahead. With online curriculum and technology-based courses, non-traditional students with jobs, children of their own, or other individual challenges, are able to give themselves a little wiggle room. Anytime-availability of online coursework offers these students hope, taking some of the stress out of their very busy lives.
“When I get a thank-you call from a school superintendent on Thanksgiving day to tell me that 48 of his students are logged on and learning,” says ODYSSEYWARE President Kevin Youngblood, “I know our curriculum is reaching today’s digital natives.”
From Spring Break to Independence Day, and Memorial Day to Thanksgiving, 21st century learners can log on and keep learning any hour, any day. As an alternative to traditional classrooms, ODYSSEYWARE’s doors are never locked and the lights are always on.
There will always be a place for traditional instruction in the learning landscape, but as educators, we are responsible to make room for more choices and varied alternatives. Think of it as the gravy.
Happy Thanksgiving.