The Virtual Revolution- Unit 8

This article looks at the growing popularity of virtual schools. Distance education classes are being offered more and more as society is advancing toward an online world. The internet has become an integral part of our lives, work and play, politics, and now our schools. The possibility of an entirely virtual school system is not as far-fetched an idea as it once was. What would a future of virtual schooling look like? The article looks back in time at the history of our education system and how it has reached where it is today. According to Greenway and Vanourek (2006) correspondence programs have been around since the late 1800’s, although the more familiar distance-education programs using video, internet, and mail conferencing has been around since the early nineties. The first virtual courses were offered in the mid nineties and have since taken off in several states across the country. As of 2005, over 150 virtual programs were offered by 42 states (Greenway and Vanourek, 2006). The definition of a virtual school is fuzzy, although most programs offer the same resources, staff, events, and student assistance as regular schools, just without the brick buildings. The article discusses examples of programs from different schools around the country, and talks about the positive and negative aspects of virtual school. Obvious issues such as a lack of socialization, technical issues, dependence on technology, and more independent study can have negative effects on some students’ learning. On the positive side, virtual school has the benefit of eliminating (for the most part) time constraints that often impose on student mastery of material. Students can work on an assignment for as long as it takes, rather than work up to a bell. The public has had mixed reactions about the development of virtual schools, which may very well determine its future in our public school system.

Greenway, R. & Vanourek, G. (2006). The virtual revolution. Education Next, Spring.

The idea of a virtual school system leave me with mixed feelings. As a future educator, I find it difficult to imagine how effective a learning experience can be if the student does not go much beyond the computer screen to learn. For student who have not been successful in the traditional educational system (drop-outs, students who need to work during regularly scheduled school days, teen parents, etc.), virtual schools provide a second chance to earn an education. Time limits and difficult social environments are removed. For many other students, however, learning is most effective when it is hands-on and interactive. Although virtual schools do offer activities such as field trips and tutoring, the majority of the learning is visual. I am also curious as to what a virtual future would look like for students who are incapable of using technology, either due to physical impairments, disabilities, distractions at home, or simply the inability to afford the necessary technology. Eliminating public school buildings also eliminates several services that are offered to students in addition to an education: childcare, meals, health screenings, and social nurturing are all likely concerns if we close down school buildings. The option of virtual schools is great for the students it works for, but it would not suffice as the only option for our children.