During various projects and assignments throughout my high school and college career, I have come across articles that bring up the idea of having online classes for grades K-12. Online classes have become so popular in college. It is now possible, and has been, to get a college degree without going to class! Personally, since my second or third semester of college, I have always taken an online class each semester. Since starting graduate school, I have taken two online classes each semester. It is definitely a growing phenomenon. Some people enjoy taking online classes while others tend to stay away from them. Is it possible to implement online grade school?
It would definitely be a complicated process to setup an entirely online school. However, I can see where it would have some benefits. One of them is for parents who want their children to be home schooled. Rather than the parent/guardian being the teacher, students can attend an online elementary, middle, or high school. What about students who have had a physical injury and it is difficult for them to move around? This would also be a convenient alternative. What if that student's classroom had a camera setup so that student can "attend" his normal classes. The possibilities of having online class for grade school are endless.
Can anyone think of any other benefits of online grade school?
Do you envision an online grade school in a different way?
It’s interesting that you talk about having an online grade school. This week in my blog I began talking about distance education through video conferencing in the classroom. However, this idea is definitely something that can be expanded even further to the completely online classroom.
ReplyDeleteSome of the advantages I see to having grade school enter the online world would be the idea that students would be able to work at their own pace. The students themselves can determine when, and even where they do their assignments and studies. I think it would allow them to take their time and focus on certain areas or subjects that they need to spend more time on, while moving quicker through certain subjects or topics that seem to come easier to them. It seems like an online grade school would really bring about some individuality, being that most students are so different in how they learn and how long it takes them to grasp different concepts, this would allow them to go at their own pace, whether it be to go faster when they can, or slow down when they need more time. In the live classroom you are sort of set at the pace of the class average, and that can be overwhelming for children.
I do also see disadvantages to the completely online grade school. For one, particularly in elementary school, are we hindering children with social interactions? Do these children actually need to be in the classroom? Without the actual peer to peer interaction, will the students be losing something? Is this good for them? These are some of the questions that worry me about online grade schools. In addition, online school requires a certain amount of self-discipline and I’m not necessarily sure that K-12 students have this. The online class world seems like an easy way for less motivated students to get lost in the shuffle.
I’ve actually heard other technology teachers talking about this topic and I really do think it’s a great idea, but I do have some of the concerns that I mentioned above. Perhaps if for grade schools with an online program we also included this video component, with constant benchmarks, then we can still have the perks of a live classroom but from anywhere we want. But then, does this take away from doing everything on your own time?
I think I have to be the nay-sayer for online elementary schooling. I believe in choice and letting people do what they will, but there is definite social learning and growth that happens in the classroom - and only in the classroom for the case of some kids in the city. Learning to socialize at a young age helps us to know how to socialize as adults... our manners can't only come from mom and dad and what they teach us (or not teach us)... It also comes with experience.
ReplyDeleteI feel that if there were a fresh wave of only online classrooms we'd be breeding a society that couldn't be whole because they would not have all of the experiences possible to have a solid interface with someone, face-to-face.
Hey Anthony,
ReplyDeleteWhy not a compromise? At many colleges and universities they have the blended learning classes where there is some online components to an in person class. I feel like the pros far outweigh the cons for this blended model. Students could still get the social interaction in the classroom, while having the time to think out their responses and maintain interaction online.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Sean
How do you keep track of who is actually doing the work? I would also say there would be no opportunity for SETTS or RTI because there is no one present to make sure the student is being served in whatever ways they need to be.
ReplyDeleteI agree with other posters who have talked about the social and emotional growth that takes place in the school building. Isolation when you are young definitely has a negative impact on a person later in life.
I do agree that there should be some alternatives to the traditional education model, but I do not believe that online courses for younger students are ok. How will they learn to write and read?
I also agree with most of your thoughts. Thanks for all the responses! I also feel that social interaction at younger ages is very important. I think they need to develop social skills and just need to be around people in general.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I like Sean's idea about a hybrid in person/online class. I think you can get the pro's out of each side by doing that. Great idea. Personally, I was always a good student throughout my school career, but I did need time to process everything I learned. I was never the first person to participate because I want to be confident in my answer first. When I had time to practice everything at home I would fully understand it. From that point of view, I can see how a blend of the two types of classes would be interesting.