The twenty-first century has become known as the age of technology. In just the past twenty years, people have seen the growth and innovation of devices such as laptops and cell phones, even seeing them be integrated into schools. Much of classwork done in schools today is done, in the case of Rolla High School, on Chromebooks, greatly reducing the need for paper and pencil. But as of 2018, RHS has taken the next step in technology, and is expanding the option of online classes.

“I think there are good and bad things about it [online classes]. On one hand, it’s really good that the school is offering alternative forms of education, because it might help some people learn more efficiently. On the other hand, I guess it could be used as a tool to procrastinate more or not show up to school at all. When everything’s online, there’s no teacher in front of you to urge you to actually do your work and get it in on time,” senior Kristina Happel said.

The program has been set up with the Missouri Course Action Program (MOCAP), and will allow a student to take any course offered by Rolla High School online. All courses and material are available every day of the week, at all hours, so students are always able to access their classes. As stated on MOCAP’s official website, their mission is to offer Missouri students equal access to a wide range of high quality courses and online learning that is neither time nor place dependent. Courtney Duncan, MOCAP’s administrative assistant, believes the addition of online courses will be valuable to RHS.

“Interest in online education is exploding, which shows the need for flexibility that our lives often demand. We offer tools that are effective, flexible and accessible. Students can take online courses from their own homes, which can resolve scheduling conflicts that a lot of students may have. I think it’s interesting to see how far education has come in such a short time, and I believe it will really benefit Rolla High be able to offer these courses,” Duncan said.