Scenario Posts

Each of these scenarios I have had some type of experience with- overbearing parents- we arranged for an online class during the day instead of when they other students had Chemistry- he went to another class to take the online version.  

I think that most schools are equipped to handle students who are coming back and are behind. There are interventions plans in place to help students that struggle anyway. It is the impact on the teacher evaluation that is most concerning. Each district can set the proficiency level and who and how they choose which will count for the 25% achievement rate. 

Teachers in my previous school had an online school as well. They got paid their normal salary and then were expected and compensated for teaching online, facilitating,  and teacher mentors. We had teachers that were pulling six digits down and it still was cheaper than hiring new teachers to take over just online. 

All of these changes are helpful and doable in the real world. They make things happen. I have an instance in my own personal education, I have a course that is at Wayne I need to graduate that is only offered face to face in Detroit. I live in Shelby. The nearest place to take the same course is Western which is 1 1/2 hours- which is better than the 3 hours to Detroit. I have asked for every possible alternative- Can the professor Skype me in or have my friend video it and then send it to me. I would drive for tests. The answer was no. I can understand it on some levels but it is the one class I need before my dissertation and then I am done. So I am going to have to drive. So I think that there are always obstacles that we will still have to navigate and problems that even though the technology exists we will have to stick to our traditional guns.  That is life. 

I think that once school districts catch on to the alternative and flexibility of virtual schools as a resource that they can run it will help navigate a lot of problems that they are unable to fix now except in more costly measures. 

2nd Blog Post - Week 12

Although I enjoyed reading the top ten myths- I am very curious about how these myths came to being. I don't see the research attached or the sources. That makes me nervous. I do find them believable. But would like to know more!

I found it to be believable that students who are more introverted would find their voice and be able to interact more online that in face to face classes. I do still however have concerns that would only enable lack of social skills that are necessary for certain professions. Dealing with people on a face to face daily basis is necessary. I do see that #4-brings up blended learning or hybrid classes. I do see this point. 

I find it interesting to have an online course as part of the graduation requirement. I didn't really realize that this was required but I can understand with the amount of universities that now have different type of online learning opportunities need to have students that can handle the responsibility and have some type of exposure to the method of instruction. 

I found the joint study with the MVS and Wayne State to be rather interesting. I particularly thought the feedback with ELA was interesting. It didn't come out and say it, but it seemed to indicate to me that the teacher was saying that the tools used online allowed for easier and more efficient feedback of writing samples to students. 

According to the Clark article, my suspicions are correct, that most K-12 online students are in rural areas and small schools. I also think that this is something that is true for college aged and professional learning opportunities for people. 

Over all, I have found in the readings the same thing to be true for brick and mortar students. You get what you put into your education. I have found that the more I am engaged into my online content the better my outcome for learning is. I think it is the same for K-12 students.