As a student in online courses currently, virtual schooling is not a new concept to me, however, I feel like it should look differently or be approached a bit differently in a K-12 course. My current experience covers IT curriculum online; this is a natural association. Using online tools makes great sense with an online course. K-12 curriculum does not always lend itself to the same ease and smooth transition for students.
A blended curriculum could be a way for students to have opportunities their school may not offer. This would allow them to have traditional instruction while taking a course or two virtually that is not offered in their school. To my knowledge, there are a number of programs for virtual schooling right now and it seems that that number continues to grow. More students are taking advantage of these opportunities for growth and development and as they do, I expect traditional schools to lose students all together.
While this can be a great tool, I also imagine there are drawbacks. Offering a core course like science online has its advantages in that instruction can be viewed on a more flexible schedule and can be viewed over and over. It also means that more tools can be referenced with testing occurring at home. I also expect it can be a difficult task for some students to be unable to interact completely with their instructor. Sure, questions can be raised, discussions can take place and face-to-face conversation can occur, but I also would imagine that some students may need more than a conversation. Some of my students require explanation with modeling and manipulation of real-life examples simultaneously and I picture that as difficult when collaborating online only.
Virtual schooling is also a tool that students can use to catch up on credits or use if they are behaviorally not a good fit in traditional schools (eg expulsions or long-term suspensions or home bound due to hospitalization or illness). This gives them an option for completing curriculum without causing or being involved in further issues.
I don't pretend to know all of this information, this is simply a viewpoint or assumption I have made. Hopefully in the near future any misconceptions can be identified and clarified.
I agree with you, I do not pretend to understand all that virtual schooling contains however I do think it has a lot of positive points. Traditional school as we know it is slowly fading away and rather we want to or not we are going to have to make the adjustments as educator. I think if we combine both the traditional and virtural advantages we can put a great system together.
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