Virtual Schooling

Clark, Tom. “Virtual Schools: Trends and Issues.” Distance Learning Resource Network (2001). Web. May 7, 2010. http://www.wested.org/online_pubs/virtualschools.pdf

Although a bit dated, this site does a wonderful job giving a large overview of what virtual schooling is all about. It has graphs and in depth looks on various online academies all over the country. With online K-12 programs increasing all over the country it is fun to read serious research from 10 years ago along with their predictions of what online schooling will look like in the future (or our present). Dr. Clark is accurate in his prediction that online schools are growing in popularity. He is also accurate when he says online K-12 will continue to grow but at a slow rate. His concerns reflect most people's concerns that children will miss out on the social aspect of learning when they do all of their class room work behind a CPU.

My feelings on virtual classrooms are good. I think it gives many children an opportunity to receive quality education from places where there is none. Many people forget how poor and devastated certain areas of Ohio are. I have a friend who teaches an online 3rd grade class and it sounds wonderful. The teacher is there the whole time, they have assignments, activities and homework. Most of her students come from rural poor areas where the facilities at the public school is less then accurate. Other children come from places where school safety is an issue and parents feel more comfortable having their students take the class from home.


The Ohio Virtual Academy. Web. May, 5, 2010. http://zsem.k12.com/cpages/ohio/overview.html

This is the main website for the virtual academy here in Ohio. It offers K through 12 studies and is a public school. You can enroll your child for free and they will even give you a loaner computer and printer. Classes are held in the morning like a traditional school but your classmates will be from all over Ohio. The students still take the standardized tests that all other public schools take and the teachers are certified under Ohio laws.

Like I said before this is a great development in education. If parents do not want to send their kids to their district for whatever reason they can choose to keep their child home and the child will still get a degree. This is excellent for children in poor areas or unsafe areas of Ohio. From personal experience I can vouch for this program and its integrity.