Works Cited: Markus, David. "The Brave New Breakthrough of Online Learning." Edutopia. The George Lucas Educational Foundation, 29 June 2010. Web. 19 Feb. 2012.
Summary
The idea of distance learning is not a new thing, an example of this being certain mail correspondence systems used in some school districts before the advancements in technology and the internet. But what makes online learning groundbreaking is what it is able to accomplish in a much simpler way than traditional schools. Virtual schooling over the internet offers a cheaper, cost-effective alternative to building more and more new brick and mortar classrooms to serve the needs of the rapidly growing student body. Teachers are also in short supply, but online learning allows teachers to handle a far higher number of students at a time with an actual increase in the amount of cooperation and communication. Though the idea of electronic classrooms sounds appealing to many the system faces challenges ahead with state legislators, not all of whom are entirely convinced of its effectiveness.
Assess
This article does a great job of talking about where online schools are today and what situation they are in. This article is not even two years old, so it is a pretty accurate summary of what the situation of virtual schooling is currently like. This article talks about the success that can be had with the electronic classroom system and how even though it is not meant as a total replacement for traditional school for everyone, online schooling is a valuable resource for students looking for alternative ways to achieve academically. And teachers benefit from the system too, being provided with jobs teaching online which do not require moving to a different district or involve demanding and/or conflicting schedules.
Reflection
I think that the online school is a complex issue, though in the end I wholeheartedly believe in supporting the option to take classes over the internet and conduct school electronically. It may not be a resource that everyone uses or that everyone should use, but it is a step forward in making education more accessible and possible for every type of person regardless of their situation. I think the article could have went into more detail about the achievements that online schools have made and their effect on the nation’s education as a whole.
Works Cited: The Virtual Classroom: Online Learning. Prod. Ken Ellis. Perf. Susan Blake, Kris Welch. Edutopia, 2005. Internet Video.
Summary
Online schools allow students a 24/7 portal to learning through internet-based classrooms, which provide a more accessible and flexible form of teaching. Not only do virtual classrooms provide an alternative form of schooling for those who desire more unique and/or challenging courses, they also provide many students with essential coursework within school districts which cannot afford more “brick and mortar” classes. Online schooling can not only match all of the functions of a traditional school, it also offers many advantages. Though internet-based learning is not fit for everyone, and the point can be made that the social environment of traditional public schools is important, supplementing some classes for online versions can be a viable option for many students.
Assess
The video talks about the basics of online schooling, what it is and what it does. This video is a bit dated being from 2005, but its point remains valid and from what I have experienced with online schooling the structure remains similar though of course being constantly enhanced over time. The first online school in the US is shown, the Florida Virtual School, which is said to not actually offer diplomas. But modern online schools typically offer passage through every grade from Kindergarten up to certain College courses (LCCC for example) and this includes granting high school diplomas. This video goes right to the source and provides interviews with online teachers as well as students enrolled in online classes, both of which seem to have their own reasons for using virtual classrooms.
Reflect
Overall I would say that while this video offers an accurate portrayal of typical online classes it should be noted that the structure of virtual schools has been retooled over time into a better and better source of learning. This is due not only to advances in technology and internet speed but also to the growing acceptance and embracement of internet-based schooling. Home schooling has always been an option for students, but now it has been made far easier and better. I think this has put more focus on the advancement of online schooling in general. I would say that while I agree that it is not for everyone, electronic education has just as much potential as traditional education as far as the curriculum itself is concerned, though I cannot argue with the fact that is cuts a lot of the social development of traditional schooling. Though depending on the student this can sometimes be a good thing, and the fact that the option is there is a pretty impressive achievement in education.
I personally have experience with online schooling, not only through LCCC’s courses offered over the internet (like what we’re doing right now) but also through ECOT, Ohio’s leading online high school and the world’s largest annual graduating class. In my time at ECOT I was able to take advantage of the flexible class system which let me plan my own class times and decide what I did and did not need to focus on. I will admit that it takes a lot of discipline to do that by yourself, so I know that the system is not for everybody. But I really benefitted from the format of an online school and so did my grades. The material was the same but the way that it was approached was my choice, which I find preferable to the way traditional schools try to pack a large number of students into a specific lesson plan without as much individual attention and freedom. I highly recommend virtual schooling not just for people struggling with traditional classes but for anyone looking for a different take on school.
-Samantha
informative and well done!
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