Feeling Videotic: Attended “Online Learning Solutions to Extend Public Education Options.”
As an online higher education instructor, I believe that online education is the future. At the same time, I have overlooked virtual ed in the K-12 public sector. Julie Young, Ron Packard and Gary Lewis discussed the growth of K-12 online education. Hybrid seems to be the key to K-12 but institutions of higher education, especially private, see the financial and pedagogic benefits of offering entire degree programs online. The Florida Virtual school is preparing our children for this future in higher ed.
Enrolling our children in a few virtual courses is beneficial to their future. The nature of the online classroom forces students to learn how to learn. Students are forced to communicate with the teacher and other students. Parents become more involved in the learning process. Online K-12 students are learning how to communicate effectively through all of the various electronic modes being discussed at FETC 2010. They are being prepared for college and industry.
Reflecting back on the keynote, virtual school is helping us climb Ed Begley’s metaphoric ecological mountain. Think of the opportunities. Reduced crowding, fewer bus routes, fewer car riders, and fewer new school buildings. The positive effect on our environment alone is reason enough for me to buy in. When I get back home, I am going to look in to enrolling my kids in a couple of virtual courses.