Virtual Schooling Blog Post 2

To begin, I was absolutely aware that the emergence of online learning was becoming more & more substantial; however I was not aware of this. According to the National American Council of Online Learning, on the “Top Ten Myths About Virtual Schools,” I was shocked to find out the following: “There are more than 500,000 enrollments in online courses across the U.S, in schools and districts, meeting rigorous state academic standards as virtual schools provide courses to students inside schools.”

I would've never begun to even fathom these numbers. Per more research, (and as Gwen also mentioned on her own blog), I was also unaware that Michigan was the first state in the nation to pass an online learning provision. This was enacted when Former Michigan Governor, Jennifer Graholm was in office.

So, while I mentioned earlier that it was “more increasingly” schools in my state were utilizing methods of online learning. I had no idea that it was a requirement and that Michigan was actually the first state to enact this.

Another myth that I was intrigued to learn more about was “Myth 3” that Online courses lack interaction. It was really interesting to find the following:

Truth: Students typically have more one-on-one interactions with their teachers and fellow students in online courses, especially when team projects are assigned. Teachers report getting to know their students better, and students who are shy or do not think well “on their feet” tend to contribute more in online environments. Students are often actively interacting with both resources and others in online environments.

It is so profound to see Michigan leading such a national approach of online learning. Now, many other states have followed suit. According to Education Week in an article entitled “States Take Legislative Actions to Expand Virtual Ed.” Online and blended learning opportunities exist for at least some students in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, according to the 2011 edition of "Keeping Pace With K-12 Online Learning."

Virtual Schooling Blog Post 1

Currently there is a big shift for virtual learning into the classroom, in my particular school region students do more primary focus of online learning. In fact, the school in which my very own niece attends in my district has somewhat done away with typical methods of learning, (i.e. textbooks) & supplemented that with online learning. This is in primarily in the high school learning environment. Side note: I was even more surprised to find out that they were eliminating paper report cards and utilizing the school’s online website for more traditional grading.

What motivates students to take these courses? Students are motivated to take these courses online by having easy access to these resources; it also allows them to fulfill their educational goals. It also allows them to take advance courses which they can essentially count toward college. Further, it attracts colleges and can count as a higher grading scale when calculating student admissions status.

Where is this done? Students utilize online learning after school as well as may work during the allotted “classroom” period. Additionally, they can also compile this with their primary coursework, so it can be supplemental as well.

How is this done? Reading materials are provided online. As well as the online version of textbooks, spread sheets. Again, as I mentioned earlier the school is more increasingly utilizing online methods for more in-depth learning taught online.