Week 14 - Students & Online Learning

When I graduated highschool there was very little talk of online learning, so to have this option available to students now is a good idea. Although online learning is not for everyone, I believe that it needs to be an option for students in today's society. I say that this method of learning needs to be an option because alot of students are disciplined enough to stay focus and do what needs to be done to pass their online classes. For at-risk students, I believe that online learning would be ideal for them as well especially if there were more mentors/teachers avaiable to teach at risk students how to be successful in an online learning environment and assist them with any dilemmas that they maybe experiencing. Also I think these students would benefit more from a blended learning approach.

My thoughts regarding the scenarios:

Scenario 1 - If a student wanted to take a couse like calculus and the district didn't offer it I think it would be a good idea to allow the student to take a virtual learning course with an adult present or a distant learning class. Furthermore, if the student is a highschooler in Michigan this would satisfy their graduation requirement that involves all highschool students must take a online course prior to graduation.

Scenario 2 - No this can not be prevented, but I would ask the teacher if they foresee the student having problems in their class and I would ask the parents if their second son is having the same  problems as their first son. From their I would have a conference with the parents, teacher and student and discuss what the problem was and if there was any solution to the matter. After our conference if the parents still wanted to put their son in an online chemistry class I would explain to the parents that the online chemistry course must meet our standards and that their son could take distant learning courses or virtual courses.

Scenario 3 - In this situation I would assess the student to see where they were academically. From their I would provide the necessary assistance and supports to help the student in meeting their benchmarks and helping them to succeed. This help maybe in the form of one blended learning stituation because the student is coming from a cyberschool and may be more accustomed to learning online. The whole idea behind the blended learning is to help the student in becoming use to a daily face-to-face learning environment.

Scenario 4 - I have co-workers who facilitate after school online learning courses and its my understanding that they do not get extra time to plan for these students but are compensated financially for their time. I don't know, maybe the district feels like these teachers don't need a planning period for classes that are totally online. This scenario will have me asking my co-workers on Monday how does the process works for them and the students.

Scenario 5 - For students with documented illnessess online learning is ideal for them. This type of learning environment allows for the student to stay on track and continue their education, resulting in them being able to graduate on time.

What Did I Learn That Surprised Me About Virtual Learning

The information that I posted in part one was pretty much on point. After reading the recommended readings for the week and the top ten myths about virtul learning I realized that despite being online virtual classes do not lack interaction. Since I am use to face-to-face contact between students and teachers I just automatically assumed that there would be less interaction because classes were taught virtually. This assumption that I have is just the opposite because teachers and students have more one-on-one interaction because of the way in which the course is delivered. It has been reported that teachers get to know their students better and students who are shy or do not respond to questions as quickly as others contribute more to the virtual learning environment. Also, with the help of apps and/or social media such as: Bloggs, Google Hang Out, Skype and Twitter, teachers can connect with their students in group chats and/or bloggs where everyone has an opportunity to connect and/or see each other.

Another myth that before now I thought to be true was the fact that online students are isolated and risk being at a social disadvantage. What I failed to realize or remeber is that students have access to technology such as as Face Time and Skype to see one another while being in opposite cities, states, and countries, which dismisses the myth that students will be at a social disadvantage when learning virtuallly. Also, students in virtually courses participate in variuos group activities that require them to connect with other classmates wheather its via email, hang outs or Face Time.

An addional aspect of virtual learning that I did not consider until reading the assigned readings is that the whole construction of online learning is very complex and every detail must be thought out in its entirely. Although many online course already exist that meet state standards, its important to know who the suppliers are and who will be responsible for student records, assigning grade levels and the administering of state assessments.