This is an article about the rise of interest in online learning amongs K through 12 students. There has been a rise in the number of students that participate in online learning over the last three to four years. Some students participate in online learning full time while some may take only one course while still attending school in its traditional setting. It is estimated that at least 250,000 students are currently enrolled in cyberschools, online learning, nationwide. There is much debate over the effectiveness of the cyberschools because it is so new and different. Of course, to fully know and understand the strengths and weaknesses that cyberschools have take time and much attention to detail. Yet, there is some great concern that the students of cyberschools are not scoring on level with students of traditional schools. I'm sure there are kinks that can be worked out that could improve the scores or least make it appear that way but it would take time.
After reading this article I really have mixed feelings about the cyberschools. On one hand, the article does a good job of pointing out the pros for cyberschools, which give students an option of being safe from bullying, learning at that own pace, and it's not as taxing on the education budget. Yet, it is kind of scary because I have the feeling that it won't turn out being an opportunity for all that want it or it may be forced on many who don't want it. Also, I really think while some of the current problems that we see in the education may be rid of or at least minimized, there will be new problems that will arise that we are currently unprepared for if cyberschools become the leading choice of the education process. So in other words it kind of appears to be a quick fix instead of a full repair.
Hi Jason.
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Jason,
ReplyDeleteGood job being objective in your exploration of online learning. I think mor e people are completely against it than have mixed feelings, as you do, but this is not neccessarily a bad thing. We don't need to reject the idea completely because soon enough, we will see some form of this concept come into fruition. It will probably be gradual, as the education system seems resistant to change and unprepared as it were. I think of how the people in the 60's and 70's pictured the year 2011 with flying cars and robot slaves. I don't think the evolution to online learning will be that drastic. Our ideas about the future sometimes show our misgivings and apprehension of what is to come. No one knows, but we need to be prepared for what is to come.
Great job this time!
Carly