In discussing virtual schooling on a general level with family and friends one of the questions that has come up more than once is how virtual schools effect student relationships. While I have been learning about student relationships in over the course of my study, a more specific question that I have become curious about is whether or not virtual schools have the ability to close the learning gap, so over the course of the class this will be one of the topics that I blog about.
This week as I was searching about ways that online learning compares and contrasts with face to face learning I came across an article that that mentioned one of the ways that online learning surpasses face to face learning: highly interactive discussions. The article mentioned that students who are intimidated to participate in classroom discussion feel open to the idea of discussion when they are able to comment via forums and discussion boards. Many of the ideas that would have been missed from more introverted students in the traditional classroom are heard through the use of asynchronous discussion boards that require students to comment.
One of the most interesting statements in this article was "many online instructors have also observed that the relative 'anonymity' of online discussions helps create a level playing field for women, homosexuals, students with physical handicaps, and members of other potentially marginalized groups, as they can participate in class activities without being stigmatized." As the NCLB Act has brought great attention to the learning gap and the need to bridge the gap. I think for this reason alone, the idea of online learning being able to help students learn on a level playing field has become a topic of educational policy makers and leaders alike.
I also came across the Virtual School Symposium that will be taking place in Phoenix, AZ in October where the topic is "Bridging the Gap through Online Learning." Have any of you attended the Virtual School Symposium before? Sounds interesting!
http://www.virtualschoolsymposium.org/
Ten Ways Online Education Matches, or Surpasses, Face-to-Face Learning
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4 comments:
I like the information you provided regarding leveling the playing field. I have been interested in how different types of students react to virtual learning enviroments. I am particularly interested in at-risk students and high achievers.
The teacher I am working with said she definitely gets more one-on-one time with the individual students than she did in the traditional classroom. This set-up would be favorable for many students, and most students seem to love the online format.
Wouldn't it be funny if the virtual school symposium could be done virtually rather than at a conference in Phoenix?
I can see the virtual school environment leveling the playing field with respect to appearances (e.g. race, sexual orientation, disabilities, etc). However, I wonder if there's another side for the at-risk or struggling student who is less able to communicate via the written word? It would be interesting to explore if writing ability influences classmates' perceptions?
Wendy
Just skimming the article on Ten Ways Online Schooling Surpasses Face-to-Face, three of the ten ways caught my attention. In speaking with my VHS host teacher, I realize how much the class is tailored to the student and student learning. If a student requires more time, the teacher tends to be more flexible in order to keep the students best interest in mind.
The fact that students also receive quick, if not immediate, feedback is something that they can rarely get through face-to-face classes. Having to provide specific feedback on assignments within a 24 - 48 hour time frame allows students the opportunity to recall incorrect thought processes and correct those mistakes.
I love the idea of the conference being done virtually instead of taking place in Phoenix. The cost teachers put forth toward the trip could be used toward necessary technology tools or other professional development opportunities in the virtual schooling community.
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