In today’s schools, online curriculums have an edge over traditional curriculum resources. Whether you teach in an online or in-person environment, your students and teachers will appreciate the unique features of an online STEM curriculum.
Here are 5 advantages of using an online STEM curriculum:
1. Differentiated Learning
Online curriculums offer plenty of opportunities for differentiated learning. Differentiated learning allows students to learn at their own pace, further explore topics that interest them, and develop research skills.
Many online curriculum resources can use individual students’ input and skill levels to create a learning experience customized to their needs. With an online curriculum that allows for differentiated learning, you can ensure every student is able to not only keep up with, but also stay engaged with the course content.
2. Easier Student Absences
When a student is absent from class, it can be easy for them to fall behind. This is where online curriculums come in handy.
Online curriculums can be accessed and completed from home. They often have built-in features that allow students to communicate and work in teams, even if they are physically away from the classroom. Whether a student is out of class for the day or the school is returning to hybrid or remote learning, everyone can still engage in the class activities.
3. Easier Teacher Absences
One of the downsides of a teacher’s absence is that the students miss out on valuable instruction time. Substitute teachers often have little time to prepare a high-quality lesson. Fortunately, online STEM courses don’t always require the regular teacher to be present, as many of the modules are self-guided.
With an online STEM curriculum, students can continue their lessons even if the teacher is out. In addition, teachers can engage and check in with students through the online service. They can gauge student progress, receive feedback, and customize courses from any location.
4. Online STEM Curriculum Customization
Customizable courses are a great way to give the teacher control of what their students are learning. No one knows what will challenge their students better than the teacher. In some online curriculums, teachers are given the flexibility to customize the content for the students, either individually or on a classroom level.
Course customization allows students to complete engaging lessons that not only satisfy their educational needs, but also help them explore interesting topics from new angles.
5. Gamified Learning
Gamified learning can be an incredibly effective approach. With an online STEM curriculum, your students can learn essential STEM concepts through educational games that keep them focused.
Interactive games are often more engaging than completing a worksheet, especially for elementary and middle school students. In addition, completing levels in a game gives students a sense of achievement, and may be more rewarding to some students than simply seeing a good grade.
Online STEM curriculums offer several important advantages over traditional curriculums. If you’re still searching for the right elementary or middle school STEM curriculum for your school or district, check out Yeti Academy.
Yeti Academy is an easy-to-use STEM learning platform for K-12 schools and districts. Our interactive learning modules cover coding, digital citizenship, Google Workspace, computational thinking, life sciences, keyboarding, and more. Each Yeti Academy module includes all the teacher resources you need, from lesson plans and slide shows to activities and tests.
Ready to learn more? Try out Yeti Academy for free today!
