Virtual Learning Helps Students Discover Their Strengths

When students feel supported and challenged, their confidence and curiosity can grow in powerful ways. For many Oklahoma students, virtual learning environments are helping create those opportunities.

Amy Wingard, gifted and talented coordinator at Insight School of Oklahoma (ISOK), recently shared in an op-ed in The Oklahoman how online education can foster meaningful connections between teachers and students while encouraging them to explore their interests.

Through her work with ISOK’s gifted and talented program, Wingard has seen how individualized attention can help students reconnect with their education. Many students arrive at ISOK during difficult moments in their academic journey, but with encouragement and opportunities to pursue their passions, they often rediscover motivation and purpose.

One way Wingard supports student engagement is through creative writing prompts and online discussions designed to spark curiosity and reflection. By responding personally to each student submission, she creates a welcoming space where students feel comfortable sharing ideas, experimenting with creativity and building relationships with their peers and teachers.

Programs like ISOK’s gifted and talented initiative continue to grow as more students seek opportunities for advanced learning in a flexible setting. By meeting students where they are and encouraging them to explore their interests, virtual education can help learners stay engaged, strengthen their skills and prepare for future opportunities.

To read Amy Wingard’s perspective on how virtual learning supports student growth and engagement, click here to read her op-ed in The Oklahoman.