I am not a full time classroom teacher. The information I have gleaned from technology directors and curriculum directors is the best knowledge I have on virtual learning. It is loosely tied to my industry. With the web based BYOD technology that I have sold and supported students can participate in assessments from anywhere via the internet.
My first exposure to the virtual classroom was in 2009. Smaller school districts in the thumb area needed to offer foreign language classes to their high school students. The population did not support a full time teacher at any of the area high schools. Through a virtual option the schools offered the classes to these students. They took place in the school and were taught by a certified instructor through the company K12 in a virtual environment. The students attended via the computer lab at the school.
My next exposure was in 2010. A school district in greater Detroit was offering credit recovery options to their high school students. The students were able to take the classes from home. The tech director shared that this was to decrease the drop out rate by offering this alternative.
My niece and nephews, who are home schooled in Maryland, have taken virtual classes in order to meet the requirements set forth by the state in order to graduate. They are able to take more advanced classes that the homeschooling group are not able to support as well.
Here in Oakland county there has been heavy television and direct mail advertising for virtual schools and academies. It is my understanding that there are no limits to the variety of classes being offered. The companies I am aware of that offer virtual schooling have certified teachers in the instructor role.
After attending ASCD March 15th through the 17th it became very apparent that all that is virtual is the future. ASCD was as much a technology conference as it was curriculum. Everyone seems to be able to provide everything virtually.
Susan,
ReplyDeleteYour experience with virtual learning seems to hit many spots along the spectrum of the online education rainbow, regardless of not being a full-time classroom teacher!
In regards to the Detroit district offering the alternative of virtual classes in order to decrease the drop-out rate is really interesting to me! I would have thought online schooling/virtual learning would only reach out to the students who are interested and motivated to learn; and in my mind, those who drop out are not interested or motivated to learn in the least.
Katie, Thanks, at times I have felt a bit behind in this class because I don't use the products the same way teachers do. Our conversation with the tech director at that district in the Detroit area was interesting. The reasons that students drop out are far bigger than we can imagine. Providing an alternative furthers that mission and passion that every school district should have.
Delete