As I read all the myths most of them I had heard before but there was one that really caught my attention which was " Virtual schooling is not about establishing online learning as a delivery system competing with traditional k-12 schools. It also is not about disseminating new or innovative instructional technologies. Before reading this statement I thought that was exactly what online learning was all about.
It is essentially about educational improvement, school reform, and improving academic performance in America's high schools."
As I listen to Professor Siko's video he stated that anyone could teach a online class however the Plato credit recovery class I taught for a year the district required that the instructors have a teaching certification. Not just anyone could have taught that class. I was very upset however I agree that instructors in a online class should meet the same requirements as any other teacher.
As I listened to Professor Siko's video it dawned on me we are talking about k-12 not just high school. As I pondered over that thought I began to think about children in k-6, how would they stay focused and sit long enough to complete their work in a online class. I thought about my twin grandsons and how one can sit in front of the computer for hours and the other one needs to be motivated by bright, colorful pictures to keep him interested in what is happening on the computer. From my experience I think if the teacher can come up with lessons that will keep the student engaged no matter what age then the student will be able to have a great learning experience.
Hi Andrea. Great post.I think your comment on what Online Learning is about is a common lament for many traditional educators. It makes sense doesn't it? For years we have been told to educate a certain way and then this "new thing" comes along, all shiny and sleak. I think it is a natural distrust of things. I remember just a few years ago I implemented a video recording initiative with my kindergarteners and their counting assessments. One day another teacher said, "I don't like this. Don;t you realize that this sort of thing is going to put teachers out of jobs?" As crazy as that sounded to me I understood where her fear was really comming from. We have seen many industries phase out the human component for automation. The automation is the first one that comes to mind. The fear comes from what we, as a society, have been taught. That the machine will be the end of us all!!! Bwhaaaa. ANyway, I think it is great that you are questioning your own conceptions. That is the way we grow.
ReplyDeleteMatt, thanks for your response however I think that is what education is all about growing and pushing your brain to understand things you do not know. I also feel as if teaching is on a new level which is needed to supply our children with all the technical skills they need to be sucessfull and if online classes will help our youth get at least a high school education I am all for it. It is a growing process for teacher but thats what education is all about.
ReplyDeleteAndrea, your post is great. First you bring up the point of your twin grandsons and how one can sit in front of the computer and the other needs to be motivated. Students learn at a different pace (and younger learners develop certain skills at a different pace, especially Primary/elementary school-aged children) and teachers do need some training for teaching online classes, but how it's regulated surprised me, especially by state.
ReplyDeleteVirtual schools are being established and they are competing with traditional K-12 state schools. Down the road, we're not sure what's going to happen. Will more students be able to choose this option to the point where schools will be consolidated and that will lead to closures? We're not sure because this option is new right now. I think it will develop faster at the high school level since they're older students and able to learn how to use the technology faster.
I believe a more realistic model would be to have hybrid learning incorporated with traditional classes in order to prepare students for college and beyond, which is what I think some states are attempting to do, but they are giving students an option to take a course or two solely online. (or complete a certain amount of hours)
Younger learners however, are definitely going to need direction and instruction. It's impossible for them to stay focused for that long.
Thanks for your response, I have heard the concern from other post about online classes possibly causing more school closings but I think traditional teachers will always be needed. Some students will not be able to function in a totally online environment they need that personal touch and to have a warm body there to understand their needs. Online classes are great and i enjoy teaching them more than a traditional class but I don't think the educational system will ever totally do away with traditional teaching. I agree with an incorporation of the two however I do think we can start at a young age because kindergarten students know how to work a computer so they could start with their education.
Delete