According to the New York Times, more than 500,000 American children take online classes (1). Although online classes have been available for a few decades, the number of students taking them is increasing rapidly. The era that people live in has been nicknamed “the digital age”. Many people are modernizing their way of life by incorporating more technology into their lives. Taking an online course is a great way for a student to keep up with their studies. However, some opponents say online classes will take the place of teachers. This will never be true because teachers are very valuable to students and an online classroom could never take the place of a real lesson. Furthermore, only a handful of those half-million children receive all of their education from online classes alone. Taking at least one online course should become a requirement in all high schools so that students can be better prepared for college, their careers, and their futures in a world where technology plays a very important role. By taking an online course, students learn skills such as being able to work and learn independently. Students usually work on online lessons at home, where there is no teacher or other students to help them. These skills will prepare them for college, where most learning occurs outside of class. In college, during class, most professors don't take the time to help each student individually. Therefore, students need to be able to take the initiative to figure out, on their own, what they are having trouble with. Many universities offer courses online, some actually only offer a certain course online. So, if a student were to take more than one online course in college, they would already be prepared after taking a… middle of paper… that would guide them along the way. Instead, they have to learn in a different way. By taking an online course, students will become more literate and better prepared for college and life by being able to learn and work independently. Works Cited Boher, Becky. “The partnership could help improve distance education.” Anchorage Daily News. Anchorage Daily News, September 11, 2011. Web. September 13, 2011. Bonner, Jessie L. “Idaho Ed Board Votes to Require Online Tuition.” Idaho Statesman. Idaho Statesman, September 9, 2011. Web. September 13, 2011. Dillon, Sam. "Online school grows, sparking debate." New York Times. New York Times, February 1, 2008. Web. September 17, 2011. Wootton, Julie. “Teachers are already in touch with technological changes.” Times-News. Times News, 18 September 2011. Web. 18 September 2011.18 September 2011. < http://www.kff.org/entmedia/entmedia012010nr.cfm>