Journal #8

Virtual Schooling
By Nikki Davis and Dale. S. Niederhauser

This article in L&L’s April 2007 was about Online Education. I thought it was a very pertinent article because here so many students today that are being educated through video and through the internet. It is important for others to be informed on what this type of schooling is.

I think distant learning is an excellent tool for students who are displaced and don’t have the ability to make to an educating facility. I also think that is a great tool for other types of lives (i.e. actors/actresses, vocalists, artists, etc.) that are too busy and unable to make it to school everyday. I do believe that this type of learning has great perks, but also it’s downfalls. I do not believe that students have the perk of seeing interacting with their teachers which may interfere with their social abilities. They might not get the proper attention to their studies, and they might not receive the same type of peer interaction.

What I think is wonderful, though, about online learning, is that certain teachers who are teaching the online courses, are given special training on the new use of technology and effectively using to teach whatever course they may be teaching. The biggest challenge, I believe, is communication. If proper communication is established, then I think this type of learning is essential and much needed for those who cannot make it into a classroom.

1. Will online learning continue to progress?
With the advances that technology is continually making, I do believe that facilitators of online learning will continue to make advances and make online learning easier to access and available to more students and families.

2. Will I ever use online learning for my children?
As successful as online learning might be, I do not foresee my own children using it. I enjoyed thoroughly, my time in high school and making friends and interacting with my teachers and peers.