As a parent,student, and a future educator I found this article very surreal. I can not really believe the statistics in this article that there areas many as 30 states that offer for students to take all of their classes online. Some of these states even require that public high school students take at least one to two online classes in preparation for college. More than 250,000students are enrolled in online virtual schools. I guess I really did not realize that this was a reality for a lot of students. This has come about in an effort to cut budgets, and because of the under performance of students in the United States compared to others worldwide. Advocates for these schools argue that by implementing these schools it could save states money, give students customized curriculum, and give the parents more choice in their child's education. Some critics say that the students in these schools do not get enough socialization or group interaction with other students and also that kids enrolled in online schools have overall lower standardized test scores. They also say they make less academic progress from year to year when compared to peers of the same age or grade. In response to these claims advocates say this is due to the previous education in traditional schools. I think maybe they should do a study on individual students and their scores in traditional school setting compared to their scores in the online classroom. It may provide more insight on the results of test. One proposed solution to the problem is hybrid schooling. I like this idea. It gives students a chance to experience the socialization of the traditional school and the advantage of technology. From all indications of this article the hybrid schools seemed well adjusted and their students were reported to making average to above average scores on standardized test. I think it is a personal choice families should make for their children. I don't think this kind of schooling would be appropriate for all children because children all flourish in different environments. I am not sure if it is just the thought of "change" or being comfortable in what you are use to. I am sure for most of us as parents the thought of school totally on computer is scary. From the article I got the feeling that most people are more worried about the social aspect of no classroom than the learning aspect of it. As a future educator it is a little worrying since the teaching field is already full of individuals looking for jobs. What does the future hold for classroom teachers? Although many advocates for online learning say there will still be a need for teachers, I am not exactly what that role would fully consist of. In the words of Rosie Lowden "The computer can't do it alone." It comes down to a students willingness to self motivate and stay on top of learning. I know in my own experience with online classes many of them are much more involved than the ones I attend on campus. You have to be dedicated and willing to learn in a new way.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Blog Post #13
My Teacher Is an App
As a parent,student, and a future educator I found this article very surreal. I can not really believe the statistics in this article that there areas many as 30 states that offer for students to take all of their classes online. Some of these states even require that public high school students take at least one to two online classes in preparation for college. More than 250,000students are enrolled in online virtual schools. I guess I really did not realize that this was a reality for a lot of students. This has come about in an effort to cut budgets, and because of the under performance of students in the United States compared to others worldwide. Advocates for these schools argue that by implementing these schools it could save states money, give students customized curriculum, and give the parents more choice in their child's education. Some critics say that the students in these schools do not get enough socialization or group interaction with other students and also that kids enrolled in online schools have overall lower standardized test scores. They also say they make less academic progress from year to year when compared to peers of the same age or grade. In response to these claims advocates say this is due to the previous education in traditional schools. I think maybe they should do a study on individual students and their scores in traditional school setting compared to their scores in the online classroom. It may provide more insight on the results of test. One proposed solution to the problem is hybrid schooling. I like this idea. It gives students a chance to experience the socialization of the traditional school and the advantage of technology. From all indications of this article the hybrid schools seemed well adjusted and their students were reported to making average to above average scores on standardized test. I think it is a personal choice families should make for their children. I don't think this kind of schooling would be appropriate for all children because children all flourish in different environments. I am not sure if it is just the thought of "change" or being comfortable in what you are use to. I am sure for most of us as parents the thought of school totally on computer is scary. From the article I got the feeling that most people are more worried about the social aspect of no classroom than the learning aspect of it. As a future educator it is a little worrying since the teaching field is already full of individuals looking for jobs. What does the future hold for classroom teachers? Although many advocates for online learning say there will still be a need for teachers, I am not exactly what that role would fully consist of. In the words of Rosie Lowden "The computer can't do it alone." It comes down to a students willingness to self motivate and stay on top of learning. I know in my own experience with online classes many of them are much more involved than the ones I attend on campus. You have to be dedicated and willing to learn in a new way.
As a parent,student, and a future educator I found this article very surreal. I can not really believe the statistics in this article that there areas many as 30 states that offer for students to take all of their classes online. Some of these states even require that public high school students take at least one to two online classes in preparation for college. More than 250,000students are enrolled in online virtual schools. I guess I really did not realize that this was a reality for a lot of students. This has come about in an effort to cut budgets, and because of the under performance of students in the United States compared to others worldwide. Advocates for these schools argue that by implementing these schools it could save states money, give students customized curriculum, and give the parents more choice in their child's education. Some critics say that the students in these schools do not get enough socialization or group interaction with other students and also that kids enrolled in online schools have overall lower standardized test scores. They also say they make less academic progress from year to year when compared to peers of the same age or grade. In response to these claims advocates say this is due to the previous education in traditional schools. I think maybe they should do a study on individual students and their scores in traditional school setting compared to their scores in the online classroom. It may provide more insight on the results of test. One proposed solution to the problem is hybrid schooling. I like this idea. It gives students a chance to experience the socialization of the traditional school and the advantage of technology. From all indications of this article the hybrid schools seemed well adjusted and their students were reported to making average to above average scores on standardized test. I think it is a personal choice families should make for their children. I don't think this kind of schooling would be appropriate for all children because children all flourish in different environments. I am not sure if it is just the thought of "change" or being comfortable in what you are use to. I am sure for most of us as parents the thought of school totally on computer is scary. From the article I got the feeling that most people are more worried about the social aspect of no classroom than the learning aspect of it. As a future educator it is a little worrying since the teaching field is already full of individuals looking for jobs. What does the future hold for classroom teachers? Although many advocates for online learning say there will still be a need for teachers, I am not exactly what that role would fully consist of. In the words of Rosie Lowden "The computer can't do it alone." It comes down to a students willingness to self motivate and stay on top of learning. I know in my own experience with online classes many of them are much more involved than the ones I attend on campus. You have to be dedicated and willing to learn in a new way.
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Hi Cassie
ReplyDeleteVery nice post. I was not aware so many students are currently enrolled in online virtual schools. I think the hybrid classrooms have a lot of future potential.
Do you like your online classes better than your traditional classes?
Hi Justin,
ReplyDeletePersonally I prefer being in the classroom for the most part. It seems like I can get a better feel for the class when I am actually there with the teacher. I guess my favorite is the hybrid class where you spend time in class but do a lot of your assignments online. I really cant comprehend younger kids doing everything online but I guess that is what is going on all around us.
I feel like a good teacher can motivate students online or in person.
ReplyDeleteHi Jacey,
ReplyDeleteI agree you are right. I have had some really good online teachers that have taught me more than some of my classroom teachers. I guess you have to know how to teach an online class and how to keep students involved and interested.
I think that you have a very insightful take on this subject, Cassie. It seems that a reasonable worry, aside from future employment as a teacher (something I did not think about!), is just for the kids' future. Maybe their social skills or standardized test scores may be decreased, but what about intrinsic features like work ethic (I know in regards to online or even hybrid classes mine is AWFUL!), reliability, cooperation, sharing, creativity, problem solving. An online classroom cannot possibly employ a discussion to analyze a problem or literature effectively. I just think it's all interesting. But I guess we won't know until "the age" is here. Ha!
ReplyDelete