Wow! The first word that comes to my mind. I lived in Milwaukee, WI for several years and in the early 90’s a cyber elementary school opened. My wife, at the time, was hired to be a teacher for the kindergarden students when the school first opened. I remember the excitement of her talking about the school and the many things they were exposing the students to as well as how much she was learning as well. I think this is a great idea. It meets the needs of the students and gives them an alternative way of learning. Education and instruction can no longer be lecture, text books, and drills. People learn in different ways and we need to meet the needs of the students that we instruct. Technology transcend all the learning styles so however students learn best technology can be an important key to higher level understanding.
Kyle Griggs, student from the article, said it best, "It's all your own pace. It's all on me now. If I don't graduate now, it's my own fault." This kind of situation may not be great for every student but it great for some but what all students need is the responsibility for their own learning. Everyday I teach I try to enforce that the responsibility of learning falls on the student. Coming with a mind set that is ready to explore, think critically, and engage oneself into learning. The article touched on a key point that teachers are essential to make online learning a successful process. Teachers are still needed develop a relationship of support and guidance for students, and to facilitate the learning process. Accompanied with teachers and family support these new types of schools can definitely work.
http://detnews.com/article/20100120/SCHOOLS/1200349/At-risk-students-embrace-online-learning-at-Metro-Detroit-cyber-school
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