As public schools increasingly teach tolerance and espouse educational programs that run counter to a Christian worldview, it's no surprise that many parents are looking for alternatives, not only by enrolling their children in Christian schools, but by looking for tutoring options and online resources that support Christian morality and faith-based instruction.

This trend didn't go unnoticed by Melanie McGinnis, who responded to what she saw as a lack of Bible-based tutoring choices by starting an online tutoring resource to "provide parents the choice of providing faith-based curriculum options in English, math, science, history, and Bible."

An English teacher and former public school educator who has been tutoring students from both private and public schools for more than 15 years, McGinnis launched Harvest Online Tutoring in 2011.

According to McGinnis, students today face challenges in their education not only academically, but also spiritually. Through her new company and AOP's Ignitia courses for students in grades 3-12, she is able to not only feed their minds, but also their faith.

McGinnis chose to use Ignitia for a number of reasons, including a lack of faith-based, online options. Her mission is to inspire and positively impact students with quality online learning choices.

"With online tutoring, I can reach kids in their homes anywhere in the world and still be effective," she said.

Through the use of online courses, she can offer students a new way to learn on their own, at their own pace, with the guidance of a tutor, and under the supervision of their parents as partners in their education. Even though students have different needs, a program or course can be modified to address specific needs and learning gaps.

"Our courses offer the convenience of learning online in a quiet and comfortable setting with a faith-based approach that not only educates, but, with interactive games, videos, and stories, is sure to create a positive environment for students to excel and gain confidence in their grade level," she said.

According to McGinnis, Christian schools and the faith-based community must adapt to a world increasingly powered by technology. The big challenge for schools and educators is to keep up, offering interactivity and technology-based education resources that are on par with those being offered in the public sector.

Courses offered through Harvest Online Tutoring cater to a "generation who knows, by the age of three, what an iPad is," said McGinnis, who sees the AOP curriculum as an ideal resource for teaching young Christians.

The web-based service offers Ignitia-based English and writing courses, as well as self-guided, subscription-based Ignitia courses in math, history, science, and Bible. Courses can be customized to meet the needs of  students.

"I would love to work with Christian schools to give them a tutoring option that is faith-based and effective," said McGinnis. She encourages other Christian educators to look at the many ways Ignitia can be used outside of the traditional classroom.

"It's something that leaves a legacy with students," she said.