The Standard Newspaper, Nairobi: Provide Opinion Research (Essay Sample)

Student Name: Instructor: Course/Number:                                                                                                                      Due Date: Persuasive Letter 25^th January 2017. Ryan Kyle, Chief Editor, The Standard Newspaper, Nairobi. Dear Mr Ryan, To begin with, I would like to say that I am deeply humbled for the chance to provide my opinion pertaining to the issue of online schools. As of now, I have not yet completed my college studies, however, I still feel that I should be given the chance to present my opinion, since it not only affects me but also other students all over the country. As you had mentioned before, the state implemented the online school system, with a hope that it will provide not only cheaper but also fairer education to the students in rural and outlying regions. To the majority of the public, this initiative from the state is most certainly beneficial, mainly because many students will be able to access education without having to go to school. With that said, many individuals have been in support of the state’s initiative. Nevertheless, there are various opponents of the state’s program, who argue against the idea based on the notion that the students who learn through online mechanisms, as opposed to those who study in the traditional classrooms, will not develop various skill sets, such as social skills, which is a basic component of their education. In turn, they propose that the online school system should not be implemented wholly. Thusly, in my opinion, my position on this issue is support for the online school system, mainly because of the benefits that overshadow the drawbacks. Waters et al., (2014) mention that online school systems combine homeschooling and traditional practices with the online learning. According to the authors, students who enroll in online schools get better access to educational resources, as the main benefit. Tentatively, the authors suggest that there have been various challenges that have faced the traditional school system, for instance, budget cuts, higher tuition, shortages pertaining to courses among others, and these have led to students seeking alternatives as they hope to accomplish their educational goals. As such, these students and many more others in differing situations have the opportunity of continuing their education, regardless of not having to go to the physical classes. Because of this, I support the implementation of the online school system initiative by the state. In addition to that, I am also in support for the state’s initiative to implement an online school system in order to provide education to the students in rural and outlying regions. Consistent with Waters et al., (2014), the online school system will be effective for students in rural and outlying regions because it offers them fewer obstacles to learning, and it also supports open enrollment. To start with, students in rural regions face various challenges, such as transport to and from home, inadequate services and facilities and so on. Through the online school system, students from such regions will have fewer challenges to deal with, which will then make them more focused on their school work. Furthermore, the online school system will support open enrollment, therefore, the students in the rural regions will be able to enroll wherever and whenever they are able to. Intrinsically, Wagner and Milena (2008) assert that the online school system also has its implications that should be considered. For starters, Wagner and Milena mention that the online school system will diminish how students relate to one another because they will have virtual rather than personal relationships with each other. Given this, such students will not be able to socially interact with one another, as the authors suggest, and this will in turn impact how they perform not only in their academics, but also as they grow up. Because of this, the opponents of the initiative propose that the online school system should be limited to course materials and resources, other than full time schooling for students. In my opinion, the argument presented by the opponents of the state’s initiative seem to be valid enough, as supported by Wagner and Milena (2008). However, Bender and Jon (2006) mention that there is evidence that is contradictory regarding the rate of participation in traditional classes versus participation in online classes. According to Bender and Jon, the online school system will offer the more reticent and shy students, both in rural and urban regions, with the chance of participating in the online class discussions with more ease, as opposed to face-to-face sessions. Further on, the authors mention that it is easier for the students in the online school system to concentrate more on their courses since they will not be distracted by classroom activities and other students. Therefore, I would agree that the online school system should be implemented by the state, not only for the benefit of the students in the rural regions, but also to those who are reticent and shy in the traditional classrooms. Finally...