Reflection on Online Learning: Virtual School

Reflection on Online Learning: Virtual School

1) Who is responsible to pay for students attending virtual high schools?

I can understand why finances may become an issue when applying to go to a virtual school. I came across the same situation a few years ago. I wanted to continue my education but realistically there was no way that this could have been possible. I had way too much on my plate, which consisted of work, new family, a family to support along with commuting long distances every day. This door opened for me and I was able to take courses online. Long story short, I realized that I wanted to finish school and I completely understood that since this was a special way for me to continue my education there needed to be some price to pay. I applied for loans and grants and I may have to pay debt off for a while, but education is ever lasting and I exceeded my goals in more than one way.

2) Should all public schools have a virtual high school component?

In this day and age I think the technology is available so it needs to be implemented. Although, I think there needs to be some sort of guidelines or requirements met in order to take advantage of the program. I see the importance of being able to communicate with other students, but I also see the importance of having to live life and its requirements as well.

3) How should parents be notified of the opportunity for online courses?

First I would make sure that I had plenty of documentation and information that would be available. I would say most importantly there needs to be someone like a Teacher, Administrator, or a Guidance Counselor that has been taught all the information needed to educate a parent about the virtual high school. My biggest concern would be facing a parent and not giving the correct information, or not knowing what I was talking about. We are talking about a persons future and the conversation should be taken seriously and professionally.

4) Should teachers receive a degree in teaching online courses before being allowed to teach an online course?

As my previous statement stated, I would say yes. We are speaking about a student’s future and this needs to be dealt with in a delicate manner.

Additional question

*How could you integrate what you learned into a classroom environment?

I think the big picture is to always make sure that you and your students have options. It’s okay for a person to say they don’t understand something, or they just don’t have the time but are highly motivated to finish school. I would make sure that I was paying attention to students and their needs more and ask myself what type of situation is this? How can this be fixed? What are ways we can work with the student and their future. Not just a online virtual school, but maybe even a history class, or math class a way for students to make up work and make it achievable for them to graduate. The “ultimate goal of distance learning is to make education available to anyone anywhere at any time, this goal cannot be realized unless courses are designed to be accessible to all potential students, including those with disabilities” (Burgstahler, Corrigan, McCarter, 2004).