The conversation in class got me thinking about online education at the k12 level. Just how prevalent is it? Is it a growing trend or a fad? I found a couple sites in the dayton area for online education. There are apparently ties to homeschooling, private schooling, as well as public schools. That makes sense. It seems a natural extension for a parent who's keen on homeschooling anyway. Can anyone see online education being someday seen as a solution to America's education budget woes? After all, having no physical building would really cut down costs.
http://www.thegraceacademy.org/
http://www.ohiodigitalclassroom.org/local_resources/dayton.php
http://www.k12.com/ohva/
The department of education is taking an interest in the online education phenomenon. Here's a link of the report concluding that online education = higher test scores than a brick & morter school.
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I am really glad you mentioned this! I actually had planned to post about it and then completely forgot.
ReplyDeleteI took an education class in undergrad where the teacher highly praised online high schools. In fact, her son had moved from a wealthy district in this area to an online school due to buillying. What kind of classroom environment can we create when students are faceless, status-less and anonymous to a certain extent? Will they open up more, as they have on second life? I can only imagine the possibilities. Also, aren't we preparing them as self-starters who are responsible for their own learning and reality? I am a fan, and I cannot wait to see how it develops!
We have a friend in Minnesota who is homeschooling all of her children. She really seems to be on top of everything and had her classroom separate from the rest of the house. She uses the internet constantly and I was very impressed with what she is doing with her children. Although I have some doubts about homeschooling, it seems to be working quite nicely for her. BTW, she has a PhD in chemical engineering but chose to stay at home and homeschool her children.
ReplyDeleteI think online education can be helpful for homeschoolers, but I don't think it will become the norm. Yes, it could save money. But the reality is that most moms and dads work outside of their home so who will watch the kids?
ReplyDeleteThis has been an interesting subject. I have several Mommy friends who have done the Ohio Virtual Academy and have had no complaints about their experiences so far. Homeschooling has come a long way. I know in the beginning, parents who stayed home to teach their kids received a curriculum packet and lessons from the district, and then students would take proctored test. The online element with licensed educators facilitating validates
ReplyDeletee-learning compared to how homeschooling began.
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ReplyDeleteOnline classes seem like an excellent supplement, however it worries me to think it could ever be the primary mode. Hands-on learning experiences and face-to-face social interactions are irreplaceable.