There are a LOT of GREAT online learning resources available today where anyone can get great instructional content ... much of it available for free.
However, there are four different problems with using online free learning tools, especially applicable to business (and a few other) fields.
Which one will prepare you for a career or college program?
Unless you have a job in the career/field that your student is pursuing, it can be difficult trying to narrow down exactly what online learning resource would be most applicable, and in what order. Not all business courses are helpful to all careers in technology. And many resources out there are aimed more at 'get rich quick' programs, rather than actually learning skills needed for the business world. Going down the tech path may lead to wasted time and a frustrated student.
How old is the content?
Although basic/general business skills haven't changed that much over the past 10-20 years, the way those skills are used changes as fast as technology and our culture changes (which seems to be at lightning speed recently). If you learning about business you need to know what is going on in business today, not last year. A few years ago we all learned how to do business remotely. Now we are learning how to use AI in the business. With teaching that is live/current you have a better chance of keeping up with the latest needs in the business industry. All our business course contents are reviewed and revised each year and contextualized for each session - EACH WEEK!.
What happens when something goes wrong?
Those in business often have to consult with others in the industry to try to solve things that they can't solve. For those just starting out the need is significantly higher to have someone qualified to review their work and provide live help when needed. Online tools that provide video tutorials and possibly an online quiz at the end of sections of learning don't address the problem when the student is learning bookkeeping and can't figure out why their ledgers don't balance - or why their marketing materials aren't generating the results desired. In both cases the student needs to have a live human being available to look at their work and HELP them figure out the problem (not just provide the final answer). Learning to correct your own work is a critical skill in business. Learning this skills is best done with the help of others - both those who have done it for a long time but also those who are learning along side you. Because of this all of our business class instructors work with students to review their work. For students in our live courses the instructor review the students work during the class session. For those online (and also in-person) the instructor is available throughout the week to review work and give tips on finding the solution.
Who was the instruction created for?
There are relatively few resources designed for helping high school (or younger) students to learn business skills. Most online resources are designed for adults, and most of those are designed for adults have at least some familiarity with the business world (having at least held a regular job). Students in middle school and high school do not learn the same ways that those in their 20's or later learn. Although you can use materials designed for adults to teach your students about business, you need to be prepared to explain a LOT of core business concepts to them. All of our courses are designed specifically to help middle-school and high school students learn the basic business skills needed to jump into the workforce. Although some fields will require advanced education, we help younger students learn both the business skills and general knowledge of business culture.
