Virtual Schools

• 1. Identify and discuss 5 pros and 5 cons of online virtual schools.

Pros

1. convenience

For some families, I could be difficult to get to a school. I know that where I lived I took a 2 hour bus ride to get to class and a lot of the families in my area opted for home school rather then taking the expedition to school everyday. For some it can just be easier and a more effective use of the day to be in a virtual school rather then be in a physical classroom.

2. Own pace

The pace of a virtual school is dictated more on the individuals students pace rather then the pace the teacher is leading the class. Not all students learn at the same pace and when a teacher is teaching a class of 25 students, some students are going to feel as if class is going slow and others will feel as if things are moving far too fast! With an online education students can use the entire day in a way that is effective for them personally.

3. self directed learner

Much like students learn at different paces, they also learn different ways. Being in an online virtual class students can direct their learning in a way that is suited for them. The only person who knows how he learns best is that person. This way of learning gives the freedom of self directed your own learning.

4. cheaper then home school

Home schooling can be expensive since families are responsible for purchasing their own books, curriculum etc. With virtual classrooms like Wava, if enrolled the program pays for all those things for you. This can be a great option for families who have decided ahead of time that they want to home school.

5. Added Bonuses

Some programs like Wava supply students who are enrolled with a laptop and high speed Internet. This can be a huge selling point for families since some may not choose the virtual classroom option because they do not have the means to participate in such a thing. Money is not a hindrance.

Cons

1. lack of motivation

Some students may have a hard time remaining focused on doing school work while in their home. I know for myself that just studying in my room can be tough, I couldn't imagine actually taking all my class and doing all my learning in my room/house too. When all a child's toys, games, and entertainment are easily accessible in the next room.

2. frustration of direction

Having a teacher to turn to when a student is lost or has questions can bring a lot of comfort. If a student doesn't have a teacher in the room to clarify questions with, he can get frustrated at the fact that he is confused on the assignment or criteria required to cover. Even if the parent is there, he or she may not have the answers the student feels like a teacher would.

3. Stigma

There has always been a negative stigma with students who are home school. We all know the stereotype, home school students are stereotype as being awkward, weird, socially awkward, etc. Even if a student is in a virtual classroom instead of being in a "home school" program, he still risks carrying the stigma.

4. heavy parent dedication

In order for the virtual classroom to be a success, there needs to be a stay at home parent for at least the younger students. The parent or guardian needs to dedicate their time to preparing and assessing their student's work. Not all parents can commit their time to this on a regular basis, and I can see parents falling behind in this process.

5. Distractions

A classroom is set up to foster learning. However if a student is taking class from home they can be distracted by family, events, friends, outside, anything that strikes the child's interest. Even if a parent has set up a room for the student to do his schooling in, he is still fully aware of where he is, in his home.

• 2. Discuss how you think virtual schools might impact your future teaching.

I think that virtual schools will become more popular in the coming years. Technology's presence in our day to day life is continually increasing. I myself am in 3 AMS classes this semseter and have taken several online courses and will need to take more in the following years. Providing virtual schools online I feel opens up educations to a larger audiance since some people live in areas where, though they attend public school, is a great hassle and provides more discomfort and frustration then pleassure. I see myself using the net a lot with my students, as far as having a website, communicating with parents and students, online projects etc. but I do not know if I see myself teaching completely online. I enjoy the precense of children too much.

Emergent Technologies

Skype

Skype is an emergent technology that allows people to communicate over the internet. Participants can simply just use audio or if one or both of the conversationalists have a webcam they my see each other too! This tool gives people the ability to speak between countries without paying a fortune in airtime. To connect with some he has to be online, much like how instant messenger works, and if he is online you many ‘call’ him. The program also has special features that allow you to be silly and distort your face or add objects. You can even make yourself a talking shark or dinosaur.

This emergent technology would be great for communicating with other classrooms locally and globally. Imagine leaving about a country in the middle east and not only researching information online but being able to connect with someone for a personal conversation over the web. Skype is not limited to a computer but rather can also be used on a mobile and playstation portables. The computer to computer is free, for a low fee a computer can call a phone, leaving little to no restriction on who a person can talk to for a very small price. Skype also allows people to instant message, share files, and make conference calls.

*** This will impact the way students learn because not only will they get to learn through text and media but they will get to learn through firsthand conversations. A student tends to own what he or she is learning when there is a personal connection. When things are personal there is usually some level of passion, which influences a deeper level of learning.

Reference

http://www.skype.com/getconnected/

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Document Camera

A document camera is new generation of overhead projectors. This movement has been taking place over the last couple years. This movement has allowed teachers to go from projecting two dimensional to three dimensional materials in the classroom. A document camera allows for more efficient sharing in the classroom which encourages higher rates of comprehension and retention or material since many student are visual learners. The document camera also allows for a more interactive environment in the classroom by easily being able to project student’s work without wasting time making transparencies. This tool makes it easy to also just magazines, newspapers, articles and other informative sources to large groups quickly and efficiently. This device is also a great money saver. By being able to project documents with easy not only are schools saving money on purchasing transparencies and markers, but they do not have to spend money on making copies. Instead of passing out slips of paper with the entry task assignment on it every day, we see teachers projecting the task on a screen through the use of a document camera. Students are also having responsibility be instilled in them from another angle by making them accountable to take down their own entry task.

The document camera brings more to the classroom than the overhead projector. An example of this would be that the document camera is actually capable of projecting things like frog dissection in a science class, or zoom in on different rock textures in geology. These are two great examples of the document camera has improved the teaching and learning setting. Being able to demonstrate drawing techniques in an art class to the whole class comfortably sitting at their seats rather than huddles around one table is also a huge benefit from the document camera. No matter the subject area or the curriculum, the document camera hands down creates a more engaging, interactive, and efficient academic environment.

*** This will impact the way students learn because it makes seeing demonstrations easier. It can be hard reading things off the board that are written with a dulling pen, or trying to squeeze in around a table. With the use of the document camera the teacher can utilize the zoom feature as well as do demonstrations on the document camera to show the entire class. Students can now participate, engage, and be involved with ease.

Reference

http://www.camcor.com/guides/Classroom_DocumentCameras.html

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Smart Board

A smart board is an interactive whiteboard that is used most commonly in the classroom setting. The smart board allows students to engage and interact with their material through touch. This emergent technology can be utilized in multiple areas of study. For science, one way that the board can be used is to explore ecosystems in a forest. Students in a classroom can take a virtual walk in the forest and study the organisms, plants, and animals they come across while on that walk. The smart board could then influence other subjects, for example after taking a virtual walk students can write about what they saw and experienced. For math, students can collect data on measurement or plant population while on in the woods and then take those number back to a math lesson.

The interactive whiteboards are also beneficial when it comes to demonstrations. Teacher can teach to all learning abilities with this tool, “Tactile learners can benefit from touching and marking at the board, audio learners can have the class discussion, visual learners can see what is taking place as it develops at the board,” and accommodate any age. The class involvement that this technology encourages is crucial for any classroom. This involvement is not only on the local classroom level but easily incorporates distance learning. The smart board is an upgrade from a whiteboard which does not promote student interacting and involvement. The interactive whiteboard is more of a presentation tool rather than a lecture tool in the classroom.

*** This will impact the way students learn by allow students to go anywhere virtually. A teacher can bring students to anywhere in the world and go on a virtual journey, places students never dreamed of seeing! The learning that comes from the smart board filters into all areas of a students education which helps further understanding of concepts.

Reference

http://teachers.net/gazette/JAN02/mabell.html

http://eduscapes.com/sessions/smartboard/