Virtual Schooling
Virtual Schooling is a
trend that is increasing to meet the needs of many students who can benefit
from the advantages that virtual schooling can bring. Whether it is credit
recovery, dual enrollment to take classes that are not offered at their present
school, or advanced placement, virtual schooling can provide opportunities that
were not previously available. I have a personal connection to this subject
because my mother spent time working for Michigan Virtual High School when the
ideas of virtual schooling were just beginning. My mom often discussed many
difficulties that she faced while working as an instructor. She also discussed
the abundance of opportunities that the virtual schooling offered for students
in certain circumstances. For example, students who attended school in Grand Marais,
were able to engage in curriculum they were not experience at their school that
only had a total of about twenty students throughout the whole school. This
could have a major impact in special education with an extended opportunity to
reach students who previously have not been able to receive the needed support.
I am skeptical with how virtual schooling would play out with certain students
with disabilities. I think it could work with any student, however I am having
a difficult time picturing how it would play out with certain students who need
an extended amount of support that might not be able to be met without having
the instructor there in person. I think the major beneficiary for virtual
schooling would be the student in remote areas such as Grand Marais, MI who
need more curriculum opportunities than what their school is currently
providing for them.
Mobile Devices
Mobile devices are becoming more and more popular to be incorporated into the classroom. Just from being placed at a high school last semester, I was able to personally whiteness the change from when I was a high school student to now with regards to mobile devices. As a student, we were discouraged from the use of our mobile devices at our school, and would receive punishment for any use of our mobile devices. Turning to my placement, our students were encouraged to use any mobile devices that had, but only for academic purposes. It became common for students to turn to their phones to google something as it pertained to our classroom topic. As imagined it became difficult to monitor the appropriate use of the student's use of their mobile device. I found that it varied greatly on how the classroom management was established. In one class with one teacher, the inappropriate use of mobile devices became a huge issue. In a different class with a different teacher, there were no issues at all with the mobile devices. As a special education teacher, mobile devices have an immense impact on the classroom. IPads have become a saving grace for every special education classroom. Between being used as a communication platform, to an educational instructional activity, and even used to limit behavior outbreaks within the classroom, iPads being considered as a mobile device have a tremendous impact on the special education classroom.
I think that I feel the same way about virtual schooling as I do about flipped classrooms. I don't think that it is as engaging or supportive for students as being in a classroom with a teacher. Students have teachers because they need someone to teach them content, and provide them guidance throughout their learning. I don't think that you get that personal connection between a teacher and a student virtually. As far as special education students, I don't think that this is a good option at all. While medically it may be an optimal choice for some students, I feel that special education students require too much support academically for a virtual school to be a good choice. I totally agree that it does open some doors for students who do not have access to a wide range of curriculum.
ReplyDeleteI think that in order to use mobile devices successful within the classroom, teachers need to have a clear plan set up. Students need to know when and how they are to use their devices in class.
I agree with you that I think flipped and virtual school is not ideal for the majority of students. I think it is good to have as an option for students who could benefit from it, but that number should be a small number or students. I also agree that so much of the use of mobile devices within a classroom is dependent on the classroom management that is established within the classroom by the teacher.
DeleteFor flipped classrooms, the concept is that the 'first exposure' to the material is outside of class, rather than in class. Meanwhile, in class, more time is spent actively working with the material. It doesn't mean that additional direct instruction cannot take place, but you have to be careful. If students know you're going to review the material you assigned them to watch, they simply won't watch it.
ReplyDelete