Originally published on The Quick and the Ed.
Every day, internet users send over 170 billion emails. For comparison, the U.S. Postal Service delivers 213 billion pieces of mail – in a year. Could a similar transformation take place in education? A year ago, 700,000 public school students took online classes, enough to form the third largest school district in the country. Most did it to supplement traditional “brick-and-mortar” schooling. To get a better idea what it’s all about, test drive some sample lessons.
Bill Tucker explores a myriad of issues related to virtual schools in a new Education Sector report, highlighting their innovations in personalized learning, teacher quality and support, and funding. He makes a number of interesting points. For example, virtual schools are recruiting retirees and stay-at-home parents who wouldn’t otherwise be teaching at all. The report makes reccomendations about how to best foster virtual schools and virtual innovation.
From a teacher’s perspective, I see tremendous potential for engaging students, especially as these programs get bigger and better. My students love computer games, myspace, and text messages. I wonder if virtual schools can leverage those interests into meaningful learning opportunities.
