Virtual Education » virtual schools

Online Learning and Its Benefits

admin — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 11:40:34 +0000

Virtual instruction is big right now. Twelve states have established online high schools. Twenty-five states have cyber charter schools. Thirty-two states have e-learning initiatives underway.

Over-crowded classrooms, budget shortfalls and teacher shortages are contributing to this increase in virtual school programs. These Internet-based schools allow students to take more control over the learning process by allowing them to set their own schedules, communicate with teachers via phone, e-mail or instant messaging.

Students complete all coursework, including tests, virtually via the Internet. Once students finish their assigned tasks, they e-mail them to the teacher. The teacher looks at the student assignments and provides feedback to students via e-mail, instant messaging or by phone. Virtual schools offer a more personalized type of instruction.

Benefits of Virtual Schools & Online Learning

While the benefits of virtual schools vary from community to community, here are some components that are consistent among most programs:

Enhanced Course Selection: An online learning program provides students with access to courses not always available in traditional schools. For example, many rural schools often cannot offer AP courses or even electives such as foreign language, business education and computer science. Offering such courses virtually provides a welcomed educational benefit to students.

Course Delivery: As the delivery of instruction is via the Internet, courses can include multimedia content and real-time news updates.

Flexible Schedules: Graduating seniors, student athletes, performers as well as homebound students can access courses virtually and complete course work at their own pace.

Individualized Instruction: Online learning creates an environment where student and teacher interactions are one-to-one. This personalized attention is invaluable to students who are challenged with understanding difficult concepts.

Access to Qualified Teachers: Virtual schools can be a solution for schools and school districts that have a shortage of teachers, especially teachers who have an area of specialization.

Virtual schools are here and available. They open up huge worlds of educational opportunities. With annual reviews of the content of these programs, virtual schools are great extensions to the traditional classroom.

7 Tips For Continuing Education Online

admin — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:37:40 +0000

I love continuing my education, right in the comfort of my own home. Can you imagine this – having the flexibility and freedom to attend classes according to my own schedule, choosing the course I want, and having easy access to all the materials for classes for the next lesson?

If you too, are an online student, you could probably relate with me. However, if you are considering an online education, there are 7 important tips to know about continuing your education online, and how to be a successful online student:

1) You must be able to communicate through writing.

As you are attending a virtual classroom, nearly all communication is written, and in order to fully participate in classes, it is critical that you are able to express yourself effectively through writing.

2) Motivation and self-discipline.

When you attend a conventional school, you have your friends and teachers to motivate you and even ‘punish’ you if you do not complete your assignments. Not in the world of online education. You must therefore be highly motivated and disciplined, and take responsibility for your own education.

3) Learn to ‘speak up’

In the traditional world of education, if the teacher sees that the students look confused or unsure of what has been taught, he/she will repeat it until the students are clear. However in the online world, the instructors are unable to know if the students are able to keep up to speed with the lessons, unless the students ‘speak up’.

4) Have a different attitude towards online education

Most students nowadays think that online education is the easy way to get an education. That is far from the truth. In fact, continuing your education online may be harder than a normal education, due to the strict quality control most online schools enforce. Therefore, view it as a convenient way to get an education, and not an easy way.

5) Practise critical thinking and decision making

The online learning process requires the student to be decisive in making decisions based on information provided, along with experience. And making the right decision requires critical thoughts.

6) Participate

One of the most important tips is to participate actively in a virtual classroom. You can learn alot from your peers as well, and this makes continuing your education online a much more fun process.

7) Be polite and respectful

Although you are anonymous, be wary of your language. You are after all dealing with real teachers and students, and it is crucial to have a productive and supportive online environment. In such positive environments, you will feel more valued, and your own work will have higher value naturally.

Online education is starting to take the world by storm, and more and more students are turning to virtual schools to get their accredited online degrees. If this sounds good, you can always request for your free online education match, and decide for yourself if continuing your education online is suitable for you.

Demystifying Cyber Schools — the Benefits of a Virtual Education

admin — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 11:05:41 +0000

Throughout the school year, parents and caregivers everywhere are thinking about and making plans for their children’s education—and there is a lot to think about. Specifically, “what kind of school should my child attend?” With so many options available, from the traditional brick-and-mortar public schools to charter schools to religious schools, students have more educational choices than ever. One option is the increasingly popular and innovative virtual school.

Virtual schools started appearing in the late 1990s and are currently available in several states across the country – including California. According to A National Primer on K-12 Online Learning from the North American Council for Online Learning (April 2007), at the end of 2006, 25 states offered state-led online learning programs, and 18 states were home to 147 virtual charter schools serving over 65,000 students.

Yet, despite the steady growth in interest and enrollment, many people don’t understand how virtual schools work or the numerous benefits they provide – to both students and our education system.

Virtual learning enables school districts to deliver a flexible educational option via the Internet and allows educators to address the specific gifts or challenges of the individual student. Virtual students have notable educational support as they learn from home with parents or caregivers while working with teachers over the Web. Virtual schools typically provide a print-rich curriculum that combines textbooks and hands-on materials along with technology tools.

But what does all that really mean? The benefits of virtual education come in many forms. For the student, “wearing your pajamas to class” may be one of them, but it’s far from the defining characteristic. Above all, students are offered high-quality, highly accountable, individualized learning. Teachers, parents and students work together to plan the educational path that is right for the student. Does the student require additional work in Algebra? Are they interested in learning Chinese? Do they want to focus on one subject for several days? These are the types of questions and options virtual learning affords. With virtual learning, the actual school work and education are the main focus, while the time and place it gets done is secondary.

As a result, virtual schools attract all types of students, resulting in a diverse and unique student body. A typical virtual class may include students who are far ahead of their peers in a traditional setting, as well as those who are behind or require additional assistance in certain areas. Or, students who need a rigorous, yet flexible learning schedule to accommodate a sports or acting career. It also brings together students from different towns. Yet these students are learning together, from each other, and sharing on many levels.

While many parents worry about the social implications of having their children enrolled in a virtual school, many of the schools take this into account and make it easy for the kids to interact with their peers. Some virtual schools provide planned field trips where students can interact with one another in person, and online bulletin boards where kids can talk about the latest Harry Potter movie or meet a new friend with similar interests from another state.

The dedication to your child’s education is also paramount to succeeding in a virtual learning environment. Parents or caregivers directly contribute to and participate in the student’s day-to-day education process while lessons can be delivered when and where it works best for both. For example, Carissa Lim is currently enrolled in a virtual school program and is taught by her mother, Nancy Lim. Carissa is also a gymnast who spends a great deal of time practicing and competing in her sport – a traditional school schedule and environment was challenging and did not support her lifestyle The virtual learning model offers families like the Lims an alternative to public school education with a flexible schedule while still providing an enriched and challenging curriculum.

“My daughter needs an outlet for her athletic passion and personality and she just wasn’t happy in a traditional public school,” said Nancy Lim, a virtual school parent. “Virtual learning allows us to advance in subjects she is interested in and allows her to pursue gymnastics at the same time – I couldn’t ask for a better arrangement.”

Parents of students in virtual schools consistently give high remarks on their children’s education. For families who find that traditional schools are not providing the individualized attention they want, virtual schools continue to provide a highly effective and successful alternative.

Virtual Education » virtual schools

Online Learning and Its Benefits

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