Few things are constant in technology except change… While reading the selections for this module I was reminded of just that. In looking at the chapter readings it was again evident how far distance education has come and how much it has changed. According to Moore (p. 242, 2012) “The International Council for Distance Education (ICDE) was started in 1938 and had a strong Canadian and U.S presence.” This single statement shows us just how long distance education has been around.
Virtual schools have become popular, and recently mandatory for districts in our state due to SB 229. Now, all students will have this option and be able to participate in sports and other extracurricular activities within their home district as well. Our district has developed a policy and is in the process of final approvals. It was developed with district personnel who were most familiar with the needs of these students and this type of program. I feel like this was the best way to develop the policy because these people are familiar with students already in a site-based virtual school of sorts. We currently have an alternative pathway program available to students who cannot attend during a regular 8-3 school day, and for students who are behind to catch up credits and still graduate, possibly with their original cohort.
I think that the next step for our district would be how to make the technology available to more students who would choose this option. Our district does not currently have a 1:1 or BYOD policy in place, and many of our students have no access to the necessary high speed Internet connections at home that would be necessary for them to access the virtual school option. This “digital divide” or lack of Internet and related technologies is discussed by Moore as well (p. 243, 2012) that is one obstacle that students would have to overcome to chose this option. Another concern brought to light by a 2016 study by Fernandez, Ferdig, Thompson, Schottke, and Black suggested that “students enter (virtual schools) with specific needs, both health and otherwise. Ignoring those needs…..is a path to failing our students.” This study brings forward the issue that instructors in virtual programs have to know what the students in the school are facing, and that may take more effort in a virtual world than a face-to-face setting. Overall, I am happy to see the progress our state is making in the virtual school arena, but there are issues that will have to be ironed out such as access to technology but, with any new program there are always growing pains and the final product will be worth it. Change is constant in technology.
References:
Moore, Michael G. (2012). Distance Education: A Systems View of Online Learning, 3rd Edition. [VitalSource Bookshelf Online]. Retrieved from https://reader.yuzu.com/#/books/9781133715450/
Fernandez, H., Ferdig, R. E., Thompson, L. A., Schottke, K., & Black, E. W. (2016). Students with Special Health Care Needs in K-12 Virtual Schools. Educational Technology & Society, 19 (1), 67–75.
What's Right With Our Schools: Walker Co. flexible schooling. (n.d.). Retrieved June 21, 2016, from http://www.wbrc.com/clip/11660510/whats-right-with-our-schools-walker-co-flexible-schooling
Education Keyboard Graphic. (n.d.). Retrieved June 21, 2016, from http://media.graytvinc.com/images/virtual_schools.jpg
Image retrieved from:
Farrah, thank you for sharing your insights! The title instantly drew me in! Change is always the constant. The ability to adapt to the changing world around us is huge, and ever present in the Virtual Schools policy! Just as Moore and Kearsely suggested, “Budgeting the resources of time may seem a little strange to people who have only worked in traditional education, where all instruction is organized in a very familiar pattern of class sessions and semesters of fixed durations.” (Moore, Kearsley 2012 184). I think with your system it does pose a budgetary problem especially with the lack of technology funding. My system is a 1:1 district, but still those budgetary problems do exist. Moore and Kearsely were correct when siting about the digital divide and reading your post truly brought out that divide. Often times, I take for granted that we have a 1:1 policy and often feel as though everyone does when they don't. I was very intrigued by your post! Thank you again for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi Farrah,
ReplyDeleteAccess to technology is definitely a huge factor to consider as all of our districts begin implementation this fall. Moore and Kearsley (2012) discuss the digital divide when referencing funding programs that are available at an attempt to reduce this digital divide (p. 201). One positive thing I have read that many districts are doing is explicitly stating that students have to have access to the Internet and computer hardware in order to register for the courses. Of course, that is not always equitable for all students. Access to technology is definitely one of the biggest obstacles to overcome!