Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Virtual Schools
After viewing the youtube video on Connections Academy, I really got to see a specific example of an effective model of virtual schools. I've read and heard all about it before but to see on in action was totally new. It was very interesting to see how a family shares their experience with having school at home, made possible by technology. Lessons, homework, chatting with instructor was all parts of virtual school that I got to see closely. The family had a very positive experience with it. The children enjoyed learning at the comfort of their own home, at their own pace. It's the new way to learn. However, when I imagined myself in that learning environment, something felt missing - this new innovative way to learn lacked what I thought were the best part of school. Learning in the classroom, having lunch in the cafeteria, and playing with friends during recess were something that I enjoyed so much as a student. So all of these thoughts came down to one conclusion - a blended learning environment. Learning partly in the classroom and partly virtually will allow students to enjoy the benefits of both worlds. As e-learning gains more attention and support, learning should be provided in a way that is a combination of classroom and online.
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I agree with you, interacting with my friends and learning together is what makes school fun! I wonder how the students feel about what they are learning and if there have been any studies comparing interest levels between students who are in a virtual school versus a "brick-and-mortar" school. Thanks for bringing this up.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely that a blended format would be ideal. Now I think we just need a company or an individual to develop a program and a forum that would adequately meet the needs of our county in that respect so that we can introduce it in to our classrooms.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you guys. Social skills are a HUGE piece in the development of a child. Yes, the students are getting the same type of instruction and content that they would be getting in the traditional classroom but they are not having the same amount of social interaction that the students are getting in the traditional classroom.
ReplyDeleteI also became very concerned this week when i learned that MOST of these online classrooms (like the one in the YouTube video we watched) are actually online charter schools. This could lead to HUGE conflicts in the very near future with public schools. Charter schools do not have unions and pay MUCH less than public schools. When a student decides to go to a charter school, the public school loses the "state money" for that child and is still required to provide transportation and after school programs to that child. When public schools lose money and enrollment decreases that means less money and less jobs for public schools. Just something to think about.