Virtual Schools

1. Virtual Schools Jacqueline Koch ETE 370 Dr. Chrosniak

2. What is a virtual school? • Employs online learning as a means of educating students • Can overlap with distance learning, including correspondence courses and video learning • Has a student population from across the country and world • Does not require a physical location or building

3. How is the concept of a virtual school applied in the real world? • States often take the lead in providing state-run virtual schools. • States offer learning initiatives and provide tools and resources to school districts. • Virtual schools are sometimes affiliated with national educational management organizations. • Some districts run their own online programs and combine online courses with face-to-face meetings. • Students can take all courses online or select only a few.

4. How is a virtual school different from a typical high school? • Students are not physically present in a school building. • Students do their learning through a computer and submit assignments online and via e-mail. • Students communicate with other students and teachers online through discussion boards, e-mail, chat rooms and video conferencing. • Students may have no face-to-face interaction.

5. Virtual school statistics • State virtual schools exist in 27 states. • State virtual schools provided 320,000 course enrollments in 2008-09. • The Florida Virtual School is the largest, with more than 150,000 course enrollments in 2008-09. • More than one million K-12 students took an online course during the 2007-08 school year.

6. Pros for virtual schools • Students can learn anywhere at any time. • Virtual schools can alleviate overcrowding in populated school districts. • Students who miss months of school due to extended illnesses can take classes online. • Students can take courses not offered by their school from virtual schools anywhere in the country. • Students and instructors improve their technology literacy. • Schools allow for self- and time-management, as well as help build responsibility.

7. Pros for virtual schools • Schools and districts can collaborate to best serve all their students. • Schools offer options for extremely talented students who are busy with sports or other performances that require constant training (ex. elite gymnasts). • Students have more time to read and digest material presented by the teacher and other students.

8. Cons for virtual schools • Less face-to-face interaction • Hinders social development • Unrealistic that future jobs will allow for distance working • May take funds from traditional public schools • May not follow an educational standards or be regulated • Eliminates campus life • Lack of supervision

9. Cons for virtual schools • Only available to those with ongoing access to computers and the Internet • May be unaffordable for some students and families • Not helpful for those who can’t navigate the Internet or technology • Not helpful for those attempting to learn English because the language is not spoken aloud

10. My Informed Opinion* • Virtual schools are a good way to supplement a traditional education, but should not replace it. • Students benefit from face-to-face interaction with peers and teachers. • Virtual courses should be used when a student’s high school does not offer a course or in extreme situations when a student can’t attend school due to illness. • Students should attend a traditional high school to become accustomed to a structured environment like they will find in the workplace. * - based on the research I’ve conducted

11. The Illinois Virtual School • Provides students in grades 5-12 with online courses taught by federally designated, highly-qualified teachers • Is a division of the Peoria County Regional Office of Education and is financially supported by the Illinois State Board of Education • Serves students from many districts, including the Chicago Public School District and the Tremont School District • Students enroll through their elementary or high school

12. IVS Statistics • Employs 70 teachers • Offers 131 different courses • Includes a partnership of 10 Regional Offices of Education, including Peoria, Knox and Tazewell Counties • Fall and spring courses cost $250 each; summer courses cost $225. • Uses the IVS Web site to instruct students and submit assignments

13. Clark County School District Virtual High School • Located in Las Vegas • Began granting diplomas in 2004-05 • Uses Blackboard and Centra to submit assignments and communicate • Provides teacher, facilitators, counselors and support staff • Credits transfer to a high school transcript, if needed • Is run independently of the state of Nevada, which does not have a state-run initiative

14. Resources Gemin, Butch, Ryan, Jennifer, Watson, John, and Wicks, Matthew. “Keeping Pace with K-12 Online Learning: A Annual Review of State-Level Policy and Practice.” Evergreen Education Group. (2009): 6-12. Web. 9 June 2010. Illinois Virtual School. Illinois Virtual School. Web. 9 June 2010. U.S. Department of Education. “Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning: A Meta- Analysis and Revier of Online Learning Studies.” U.S. Department of Education. (2009): xi- xiii. Web. 9 June 2010. Virtual High School Volts. Clark County School District Virtual High School. Web. 9 June 2010.

15. Links Illinois Virtual School Keeping Pace Report U.S. Department of Education Report Clark County School District Virtual School