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Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Virtual Schooling
Please respond to the following question in a clear and concise paragraph (5-10 sentences). Then, read over all the other posts and comment on one other post.
Do virtual schools have more to offer students then regular schools? Explain.
With my knowledge of virtual schools, I strongly believe that virtual schools do not have more to offer than regular schools for several reasons. First off, regular schools offer different relationships, for example good relationships with friends and teachers. Going to a regular school gives kids a chance to develop relations other one another and develop feelings to real people. But if you are learning from a virtual school you won’t be able to endure any relationship with teachers or other kids because it is the computer that is teaching you with a figure on the screen. Second, normal schools offer discipline, for example handing in assignment on time, behaving properly in class on so on. These are all life skills that will help students in the future. But virtual schooling doesn’t offer discipline or life skills, because you could get an assignment and never do it without any consequences, it is simple just to turn off the computer and not go back on it. Kids won’t be disciplined for the future. Therefore, I believe that virtual schools don’t have more to offer than regular schools for the reasons that I have listed.
Camille, You make some valid points here. I agree that virtual schools are lacking in some areas, however, I feel that there are positives aspects. For instance, students can complete a course online in order to get ahead in school or as a means of review. This can help students succeed in the future.
I believe Virtual Schools, created by Janice Frolich and Mike Taylor, is a very intelligent idea, that sends a positive message to elementary school students, as well as their parents. On-line schools or Virtual Schools provide over 10,000 lessons, spread out over 9 subjects, which are guided by a very encouraging automated teacher’s voice. Virtual Schools include a library where students can download reference books and stories, and a playground where students are privileged to chat with their friends if finished their work. Frolich and Taylor created Virtual Schools mainly for home-schooled students and children with disabilities that make it difficult to learn in a classroom, or interact with other kids an alternative way of learning. Virtual Schools don’t only provide students with more knowledge, it allows parents to learn more about their child’s curriculum. Virtual School’s also allow students to work at their own pace, either taking things slow, or moving fast and skipping to a higher grade level. Lastly, Virtual Schools are an excellent way to use modern-day technology in the right way, without children becoming over-addicted. Overall, I firmly believe that Virtual School’s have a lot to offer, and send a positive influence, to both students and parents.
You have stated some very clear points on why you think that virtual schools have more to offer. However, I believe that virtual schools have a lot to offer but they do not have more to offer than regular schools. For instance, what about the subjects gym and art? The virtual teachers aren't able to see what the children are doing or what pieces they are handing in. How can virtual schools have more to offer if they aren't even able to provide every subject for the students?
You have stated some accurate points on why you believe virtual schools have more to offer then regular schools. However, I believe that virtual schools do not provide students with more knowledge. For example In a regular school, there are teachers physically present in the classroom. The teacher helps manage the classroom behaviour, what the students are working on, keeping them focused, making sure they understand the work that has been given, as well as being able to assist students who are having difficulty and give examples or demonstrations. By having a teacher physically present in a classroom I believe that regular schools do not provide more knowledge for students.
The fact that there is a virtual school on the internet is very interesting. You don't really have to go on that website everyday to substitute school. I think I could use this virtual school to have fun with friends and to get help in any subject when I need it. In the text it also states that people do use this website to substitute school. That is also okay because the children may learn much better this way. Some kids don't learn very well in a classroom because they don't understand very well or they are very talkative. This website allows the child to learn on their own, and in a quiet area where they can not be disturbed. This website is also a good idea because it is a good excuse to get on a computer. Most kids get on a computer to watch videos or play games. But now kids can get on a computer to learn. For the reasons I have stated, I believe that virtual schools have a lot to offer.
Adam, I agree with your statement that this virtual school has more to offer than a regular school. But the flaw about virtual school is that it only has some subjects to choose from not all of them. But it is true that you can learn with peace and quiet without being interrupted. Also you can focus more since there is no interruptions. That is why I think your statement is true.
Though your argument was very persuasive and informative, I firmly disagree with what you are supporting. Firstly, consider the social aspect of this virtual online school: many children make most of their friends at school, a benefit that would be taken away from them if they are socializing almost entirely online. Also, you pointed out that an online school would help you “have fun with friends”, when in fact children who socialize online too often could develop social problems. Students should not be distracted with online socialization or computer games that could be open on another tab. Finally, with the increasing amount of overweight or obese children, gym should be glorified and utilized to its full extent, a necessity that would be impossible in a virtual school.
i agree that virtual schools have a lot to offer but i don't think that they have more to offer than regular schools. You cant socalise and have real friends a in virtual schools. there is no gym class in virtual schools so you cant be active. if you use a virtual school later on you wont be able to co-operate with other people in a group. That is why i think your statement is wrong.
I strongly believe that virtual schools do not have more to offer than regular schools. I think this because there are many cons of virtual schools. First of all not everyone has a computer so they wouldn't be able to go to this virtual school. another thing is if you have a computer but the power goes out you wont be able to access the virtual school. This would be the same if the internet goes down. Another thing is that many children are hands on learners which makes virtual schools not as fun for them. Also many children like to interact with other students which means the virtual schools wouldn't be able to do that. it would also be very hard to communicate through virtual schools and some people might think they meant to say something in a specific tone but it was meant a different way. Those are the reasons why i don't think that virtual schools have more to offer than regular schools.
Sarah, you have stated a few good points in your paragraph that I can't really say any thing against. However, you do have a few points that I definitely disagree with. First of all, you said that the virtual school cannot be accessed if their is a power outage or a problem with the internet. I could reply that regular schools can be have similar problems with snow days or a closed road. You also said that hands-on learners would have trouble, but they might also have trouble at regular school where there is not a whole lot more of hands-on activities. Also, just a general point, virtual schools were not meant to replace regular schools. They are just supposed to be for homework help and such.
Sarah, you have stated some valid points but i disagree how you think virtual schools have less to offer. Here is why. Virtual Schools *Can take multiple courses at once *can go above grade level curriculum *you don't get in trouble *you can go when ever you want to
Regular Schools *Can only take a certain amount of courses *can sometimes go above grade level curriculum *you get in trouble if you don't do homework *you have to learn the lessons at same pace as everyone else.
Now that you see a lot of these points i hope i have changed your mind a little bit.
Sarah, you have written a strong, persuading argument showing that you believe traditional school’s have more to offer then virtual schools. You have provided many negative consequences about/to virtual schools, and I believe your point on how students should get to interact with one another is very important in a classroom. Although, did you ever consider the fact that social networking sites, such as facebook, have greatly impacted elementary school students of the present? Virtual schools use the technology that we are privileged to have, and they incorporate a way of interacting that over 50% of people under 20 use today, instead of speaking or interacting in person. Also, I would like to add that Virtual Schools were created as a tutoring site outside of school, and as a way to give children with disabilities that make it difficult to learn in a classroom or interact with other students an alternate way of learning. In my opinion Virtual Schools have lots to offer and were created for a good purpose, and again, you have written a strong argument, but I am not yet persuaded that traditional school’s have more to offer then Virtual Schools.
I strongly believe for a number of reasons that virtual schools do not offer more for students than regular schools do. First of all, regular schools provide students with many life skills that virtual schools could not possibly. For example, attending regular school teaches children organization and time-management, between making it to school on time and remembering to bring all those textbooks and homework assignments. Virtual schooling can be done as long as you have a computer, so kids are allowed to lazily sit at home all day. Secondly, regular schools provide students with programs that virtual schools cannot. There are some things like music and art that need to be done by first-hand experience, and cannot be learned by playing a computerized instrument, or blending virtual colours. Thirdly, virtual schools deprive children of the ability to interact with each other as they would in an actual schoolyard, and this early socialization will prove to be extremely important as they grow up. Therefore, for these reasons I believe that regular schools have more to offer than virtual schools.
I believe that virtual schools have more to offer then regular schools. Every day you wake up to go to school when there is a school right on your computer at home! Students who log onto LinkonLearning website can choose from about 10 000 lessons from their everyday subjects, which are taught from an automated teachers’ voice. Virtual schools are just like regular school because students have access to an online library where they can download book for assignments, and they have time in the “playground” where they can socially interact with their friends and play games. What more could you ask for from a school that you can log on to? Some parents might ask “What about exercise?” Since the child is at home, he or she can exercise wherever and whenever they have time. The creators of LinkonLearning have been targeting children who are home-schooled or who have learning disabilities or other conditions that make it hard for then to learn at the same pace as their classmates. Virtual schools offer more attention to one student then to a whole classroom. If you ask the online teacher a question, you will get the help in just seconds, where as in a classroom you would have to wait for other questions to be answered before yours. Overall I think that virtual schools are a great idea and they have a lot to offer.
Gabby, I agree that going onto your computer is much faster than going to school but if the students only chat online and never face to face, they will not be able to communicate well with people in person.This is why they will have a problem in jobs where you need to communicate with others. Another bad thing is that computers are not the worlds most reliable objects if there is say, a power outage or the internet fails the person that is supposed to learn cant because of those reasons.That's why i disagree with you.
Gabby, You have stated some good points. I agree that virtual schools have many good things to offer like, the one on one help that teachers can give. However I feel that virtual schools don't have more to offer than regular schools, if students don't talk to other children verbally they can become socially awkward. Also with virtual schools children can't educationally participate in art, gym, and music and personally i think that these elements are good to have in your lifestyle and they make school more fun. Overall you have stated why you think that virtual schools have more to offer than regular schools but in reality do you really think that they do?
Gabby, you have written a very persuasive argument in stating your point that virtual schools have more to offer students than regular schools do. I agree with you that they are far more convenient, and students will probably receive more individual help from their teacher than they would in a regular classroom. However, I think that there are many things that virtual schools deprive students of, such as important life skills they will need for the future. This includes organization and time-management, which are practiced on a daily basis by students who attend regular school, by remembering to bring homework assignments and making it to school on time. Therefore, I do not agree with your statement, as I believe that virtual schools do not offer students more than regular schools do.
I strongly believe that virtual schooling has both positive and negative things to offer.
The positive aspects of virtual schooling are that class sizes are smaller as they only include you within your own home. Children do not have school mates to turn and talk to as frequently as they would in a classroom creating disruption. Also, when you are in a classroom, you lose a lot of time. Students have to move from class to class and the first ten minutes of every period are usually wasted by kids getting books, pens and settling down whereas within a virtual school, you just need to have a computer or a laptop.
The negative aspects of virtual schooling are that it is very difficult to include any extra curricular activities. There would, obviously, not be any sporting activities such as soccer or football games especially because all the students taking part in the virtual schooling are not necessarily located within the same area. Virtually taught individuals would have to be very organized with their time and make every effort to include outside activities as well as making time for school related work. As not having other students distracting other students while in a classroom may be a positive factor it can also be considered a negative one because you do not have other students to exchange ideas with or ask for assistance. At school, students have the chance of making friends however, in a virtual classroom there are no other students to become friends with.
Therefore, I strongly believe that virtual schooling has both positive and negative aspects however, I prefer to be taught in a classroom environment.
I do not believe that virtual schools have more to offer than regular schools. There are many ways to defend or attack the virtual schools, but I believe that online schooling should not be used as a replacement.
First of all, the virtual schools should not be a replacement because they lack real human help. You cannot ask an obscure or complicated question like “Are turtles omnivores?” in science classes. The computer just doesn’t have the knowledge or intelligence to process, understand, and answer the question. It also is too much time on the computer. Although it is certainly better than gaming, being on the computer affects your eyes, hands, back, neck, and more. You may be learning, but your body is not doing well. Another problem is lack of hands on experience. You can play a digital trombone. But if some body hands you a real trombone, you would lack the skills to actually make it work.
However, that does not mean it cannot be used at all. It can be used by kids after school who have trouble learning a classroom. It can help children who struggle with difficult concepts. It can even be used by students who excel in certain subjects and want a challenge. It can be used as an extra, on the side help, but not a replacement.
Note: I apologize for the lateness but in did not have access to a computer until a few hours ago.
I believe virtual schools have more to offer than regular schools because of these reasons. You can learn what ever you want, when ever you want and you don't have to follow many rules like in school. Also you can learn higher grade level curriculum without having to stop because of a classroom. I think virtual schools can also be a great help to students having educational difficulties for instance www.homeworkhelp.org is a great tool you can use on the internet to catch up on curriculum you have maybe missed. I've noticed a lot of people are saying "virtual schools lack hands on experience" which they do, but you don't really need hands on experience to be good at something, all you need to do is go online and take lessons and watch other people do the task and you can do it as well. For instance, i wanted to learn how to DJ a while ago so i went on youtube.com and took lessons then bought my equipment and learned everything i needed to know. In conclusion i believe virtual schools are a great tool
Albert I agree with you about being able to catch up on things you missed. But I think that it’s not good if a student grows up not having to follow rules because they will grow up with the mindset that they don’t need to follow rules and then they’re going to have problems when they’re boss yells at them for not doing the work they were assigned to. Also I don’t agree with the fact that you would be able to learn whatever you want. There would still be a set curriculum you would need to know to be able to pass the test. One last thing you wouldn’t be able to do it whenever you want because there would still be due dates. If you could do it whenever you want to, no one would ever want to and nothing would ever get done.
I do agree with you albert with the point about how the internet has lots to offer and can help and teach you many great things but with virtual schools there will be no discipline there for the students can very easily and get away with it very easily and repeat that constantly. Also what if there are kids with no computers or what if the power runs out what will the student do. Finally there wont be a point for due dates because there is nothing that a computer can do and there parents could be at work so he or she could get away easily.
I believe that virtual schools do not offer more because at the virtual school the students don't have the exercise they need because you cannot run laps, play basketball, etc. in a small room. You won't have any physical exercise for 6 hours. Another bad thing Is that you don't actually talk to anybody, not your classmates or you “teachers”. If you don't actually talk to anybody later on you wont be able to communicate with people and in the future you will not be able to get any job that includes talking or communicating with people. Another bad thing is that you don’t do any hands on activities. Sure you can learn to play a sport or an instrument but if you are actually asked to do that you will not know what to do or how to do it well. The “teachers” also have way less control over you because you could be playing on your iPod while typing to them. The discipline will also be way lower because the teacher wont be able to keep you in for recess or anything at all. A big minus is also the fact that if you go on the computer to often and for long periods of time your eyesight will start to fail. Your back and other parts of your body will also not be in a good condition because your in the same position for a lot of the day. This is why I believe that virtual schools do not have more to offer than real schools.
Konrad i agree that you have stated some good points. but in the ending part you kind of got carried away. if you would be doing nothing the discipline is going to affect your self for not doing something later on in life.there might make some new website that has the same thing as homework help.ils so you can speak to actual teachers. overall you have stated many good points
I believe that virtual schools offer less to students than the regular classroom does for a few reasons. Firstly, students learn differently and each prefers a different teaching style. While virtual learning might work well for those students who prefer audio or visual learning, a computer does not cater to those students who are kinesthetic learners or musical learners. Thus, students who benefit from hands-on work would be at a disadvantage since only a few multiple intelligences are being addressed. Also, many students, especially boys, like to move around and find it difficult to sit for long periods while they are being lectured to. In a classroom a teacher can vary the lesson and allow for activities to take place in between information being taught. Virtual learning is mainly teacher-centred and this would mean that more students would get bored and restless and become distracted from the lesson. To make matters worse, there would be no teacher around to keep students on task and to redirect them if they strayed off course. Virtual learning does not offer the social benefits that children receive in a regular classroom. For many students, especially in elementary school, school is the main place for social interaction with other students their age. With virtual schools, students would be physically isolated from one another and they way they relate and interact would be extremely limited. There is already concern that children and teens lack the proper social skills because of the way they communicate through Facebook and texting. This would be one more obstacle that would negatively affect the socialization process. Moreover, studies have shown that teens that spend a great deal of time on social networking sites have increased rates of depression. This would only add to the problem since the natural need to have human contact is decreased.
For these reasons, I believe virtual schools should not be a replacement for the regular classroom, as they pose many problems and issues that affect children's learning.
I strongly believe that virtual schooling is a negative way to teach children.
The negative aspects of virtual schooling are that it is very difficult to include any extra curricular activities. There would, obviously, not be any sporting activities such as soccer or football games especially because all the students taking part in the virtual schooling are not necessarily located within the same area. Virtually taught individuals would have to be very organized with their time and make every effort to include outside activities as well as making time for school related work. As not having other students distracting other students while in a classroom may be a positive factor it can also be considered a negative one because you do not have other students to exchange ideas with or ask for assistance. At school, students have the chance of making friends however, in a virtual classroom there are no other students to become friends with.
Therefore, I strongly believe that virtual schooling is a negative way to each kids. I feel that it is a negative way to teach kids because I prefer to be taught in a classroom environment.
Virtual Schooling doesn’t offer the same experience as regular schooling. It simply isn’t the same. Sure, it offers all the things we do at school, but we can only access it through the click of a mouse. It won’t be as effective as hands on learning. For example, pushing keys on a virtual trombone on a screen won’t have the same effect as actually playing a real one. It wouldn’t contribute to the process of learning. Or, how about doing a math lesson. I personally have been struggling in math lately, and instead of being able to ask my teacher for help, I would have to rely on the instant feedback provided. It won’t understand my personal issues in the subject. Also, virtual schools will make students socially awkward when they mature, because they cannot physically interact with their fellow peers. They wouldn’t be able to play games together at recess or eat lunch together. In conclusion, virtual schools definitely pose some problems, and just wouldn’t be as effective as regular school. Virtual schools should not be a replacement, but rather be used in conjunction with regular schools. This way, the students get the benefits coming from the virtual schools and the classroom.
I believe virtual schooling is not a good idea for various reasons. First of all you never actually get to talk to the person all you get to talk to is text. Not being able to actually talk to the person can pose huge problems. For example if you need help with something or you don’t understand something, you would have to send the teacher a message. Most teachers won’t be on the blog or whatever 24/7 so you wouldn’t get an immediate answer like you would in real life. Another thing is distractions computers would cause way too many distractions for a student. For example I could see people doing homework with maybe four internet tabs open with Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and e-mail. So while they are doing homework they’re also doing these other things which will like I said distract them from what they are doing causing work of worse quality. One more thing is discipline when you talk to a computer instead of an actual teacher there is no punishment if you don’t do your homework. What could they do? This would eventually go on and when the kid gets older and is at work he might think he doesn’t actually have to do any of the work, because he didn’t in school. For those reasons and the fact that people who more often text or have a phone conversation then talk in common are more likely to develop social anxiety. I believe that virtual schooling does not offer more than real schooling. By: Luke Vendittelli
Luke, I definitely agree that virtual schools do not give the same experience as regular school, although, I believe it still has a place in the development of learning. I believe, rather than just not using it, they could be used alongside each other, perhaps using virtual school to help you after-school if you didn’t understand a lesson taught in class, or maybe to work on any unfinished tasks in the classroom.
Text Messaging Blog Response I believe that texting has less to offer then real life communication. Although there are some benefits of texting such as distance communication free of charge and fast access. The disadvantages outweigh the advantages. If believe texting is better for the following reasons, with texting you are not able to express emotion like sarcasm and texting can be a distraction from your real life. To expand, with real life talk 70% if the communication is non-verbal meaning 70% of the texting has not been sent. Texting is also a distraction, take my sister for example, my sister is always texting and it sometimes seems that her contacts are her family instead of us. This also affects her focus for example, my mom will tell her to clean her room and an hour later she will come out her room texting and her room will be the same because she has been texting the whole time. Finally texting may take over all communication until there is absolutely no verbal contact just like in the commercial for RV’s. in this commercial whole family is using their technology and then the dad knocks down a picture of the family fishing and he remembers all the great moments before technology hit them. In conclusion I believe face to face talk is a better form of communication the texting. by:ted
I believe that text messaging is a good way of communication. These are some of the reasons why i believe that text messaging is a good way of communication. For one if you are visiting family and friends i find it very rude to leave the conversation to go talk on a phone but if using text messaging you can talk with whoever and not dismiss your self from your family conversation. Another reason it is good is that if someone's mother or father is in a meeting at work and the child needs something the child can communicate threw text messaging without forcing the parent to leave his or hers important discussion. I also believe that text messaging is safe. In text messaging you can talk to your friends with out the worry of creepy or bad people on the internet like on Facebook and any of the other social media sites. Another great thing with texting is if you move and have friends you miss you don't have to worry about going on the unsafe internet to communicate with your old friends. Text messaging is also very easy and fast to use. In conclusion text messaging is a very safe good smart easy way to communicate.
I believe regular schools have more to offer students then virtual schools. In a regular school, there are teachers physically present in the classroom. The teacher helps manage the classroom behaviour, what the students are working on, keeping them focused, making sure they understand the work that has been given, as well as being able to assist students who are having difficulty and give examples or demonstrations. When receiving marks or report cards, the teacher can discuss any problems or concerns with parents or the student, and can also show examples of their work. In relation to subjects like Physical Education and Visual Arts, I think that there needs to be a teacher physically present to properly teach and give feedback. In both subjects, the present teacher can give examples or demonstrate the activity or assignment. Being at a regular school also means that the students can have peers with whom to share ideas and creativity, as well as receive peer feedback. Peers are also important to help students develop skills, like cooperation, getting along, working in groups, giving feedback, all of which are needed to help students in life. Peers also allow students to become more social, especially at break times, such as lunch and recesses. Attending a virtual school does not incorporate a teacher present in the classroom, subjects like Physical Education or Visual Arts in a hands-on way, or peer interaction. Overall, I strongly believe that regular schools give more learning opportunities, both academic and social, then virtual schools.
Jacqueline, You have made some very valid points on why you believe regular schools have more to offer then virtual schools. I agree that virtual schools shouldn't fully replace regular schools however, I still think that there could be a lot of positive outcomes. For example: when you said that you thought there needed to be a teacher to physically teach the lesson and give feed back. Think about this...in the future technology will be a big part of our life's. There may not be a teacher that is physically in the classroom , but maybe on a screen or just an automated voice. Students could start getting an idea of what this could be like, by using virtual schooling as a tutor.
Sarah, I think you have made fairly valid points and I have to agree that not all kids will be able to use virtual schools as suceesfully as others. Children don't learn disipline by using virtual schools because it is easier to skip school on virtual schools than regular schools with no teacher able to call your parent or show up on your front step. Displine will help children go far in the future. Won't you agree?
Virtual Schools have many pro and cons. This is one of the pros about virtual schools its very good because the students learning on it can learn at their own pace so they don’t get confused about the lesson. One con is that you aren’t really interacting with other people in virtual schools except for he other people on the virtual schools at recess. They are not real people though so if you are on a virtual school you probably wont have good social skills in real life.
Another pro is that in a virtual school their aren’t any other person it is just you so you wont be interrupted by any class mates. Having no class mates is a bad thing too because in real schools you group things so in a virtual school you wont learn how to co-operate with other people. That will affect you later in life if you don’t know how to co-operate with your work members.
There is also tons and tons of lessons you can do in virtual schools and you don’t need big heavy to carry around all day. You just pick a lesson from the library in the virtual school then you do the lesson with none of the books you would use in a regular school.
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ReplyDeleteWith my knowledge of virtual schools, I strongly believe that virtual schools do not have more to offer than regular schools for several reasons.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, regular schools offer different relationships, for example good relationships with friends and teachers. Going to a regular school gives kids a chance to develop relations other one another and develop feelings to real people. But if you are learning from a virtual school you won’t be able to endure any relationship with teachers or other kids because it is the computer that is teaching you with a figure on the screen. Second, normal schools offer discipline, for example handing in assignment on time, behaving properly in class on so on. These are all life skills that will help students in the future. But virtual schooling doesn’t offer discipline or life skills, because you could get an assignment and never do it without any consequences, it is simple just to turn off the computer and not go back on it. Kids won’t be disciplined for the future.
Therefore, I believe that virtual schools don’t have more to offer than regular schools for the reasons that I have listed.
Camille,
DeleteYou make some valid points here. I agree that virtual schools are lacking in some areas, however, I feel that there are positives aspects. For instance, students can complete a course online in order to get ahead in school or as a means of review. This can help students succeed in the future.
I believe Virtual Schools, created by Janice Frolich and Mike Taylor, is a very intelligent idea, that sends a positive message to elementary school students, as well as their parents. On-line schools or Virtual Schools provide over 10,000 lessons, spread out over 9 subjects, which are guided by a very encouraging automated teacher’s voice. Virtual Schools include a library where students can download reference books and stories, and a playground where students are privileged to chat with their friends if finished their work. Frolich and Taylor created Virtual Schools mainly for home-schooled students and children with disabilities that make it difficult to learn in a classroom, or interact with other kids an alternative way of learning. Virtual Schools don’t only provide students with more knowledge, it allows parents to learn more about their child’s curriculum. Virtual School’s also allow students to work at their own pace, either taking things slow, or moving fast and skipping to a higher grade level. Lastly, Virtual Schools are an excellent way to use modern-day technology in the right way, without children becoming over-addicted. Overall, I firmly believe that Virtual School’s have a lot to offer, and send a positive influence, to both students and parents.
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
DeleteYou have stated some very clear points on why you think that virtual schools have more to offer. However, I believe that virtual schools have a lot to offer but they do not have more to offer than regular schools. For instance, what about the subjects gym and art? The virtual teachers aren't able to see what the children are doing or what pieces they are handing in. How can virtual schools have more to offer if they aren't even able to provide every subject for the students?
Jenn,
DeleteYou have stated some accurate points on why you believe virtual schools have more to offer then regular schools. However, I believe that virtual schools do not provide students with more knowledge. For example In a regular school, there are teachers physically present in the classroom. The teacher helps manage the classroom behaviour, what the students are working on, keeping them focused, making sure they understand the work that has been given, as well as being able to assist students who are having difficulty and give examples or demonstrations. By having a teacher physically present in a classroom I believe that regular schools do not provide more knowledge for students.
The fact that there is a virtual school on the internet is very interesting. You don't really have to go on that website everyday to substitute school. I think I could use this virtual school to have fun with friends and to get help in any subject when I need it. In the text it also states that people do use this website to substitute school. That is also okay because the children may learn much better this way. Some kids don't learn very well in a classroom because they don't understand very well or they are very talkative. This website allows the child to learn on their own, and in a quiet area where they can not be disturbed. This website is also a good idea because it is a good excuse to get on a computer. Most kids get on a computer to watch videos or play games. But now kids can get on a computer to learn. For the reasons I have stated, I believe that virtual schools have a lot to offer.
ReplyDeleteAdam,
DeleteI agree with your statement that this virtual school has more to offer than a regular school. But the flaw about virtual school is that it only has some subjects to choose from not all of them. But it is true that you can learn with peace and quiet without being interrupted. Also you can focus more since there is no interruptions. That is why I think your statement is true.
Adam,
DeleteThough your argument was very persuasive and informative, I firmly disagree with what you are supporting. Firstly, consider the social aspect of this virtual online school: many children make most of their friends at school, a benefit that would be taken away from them if they are socializing almost entirely online. Also, you pointed out that an online school would help you “have fun with friends”, when in fact children who socialize online too often could develop social problems. Students should not be distracted with online socialization or computer games that could be open on another tab. Finally, with the increasing amount of overweight or obese children, gym should be glorified and utilized to its full extent, a necessity that would be impossible in a virtual school.
Adam
Deletei agree that virtual schools have a lot to offer but i don't think that they have more to offer than regular schools. You cant socalise and have real friends a in virtual schools. there is no gym class in virtual schools so you cant be active. if you use a virtual school later on you wont be able to co-operate with other people in a group. That is why i think your statement is wrong.
Virtual Schools
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe that virtual schools do not have more to offer than regular schools. I think this because there are many cons of virtual schools. First of all not everyone has a computer so they wouldn't be able to go to this virtual school. another thing is if you have a computer but the power goes out you wont be able to access the virtual school. This would be the same if the internet goes down. Another thing is that many children are hands on learners which makes virtual schools not as fun for them. Also many children like to interact with other students which means the virtual schools wouldn't be able to do that. it would also be very hard to communicate through virtual schools and some people might think they meant to say something in a specific tone but it was meant a different way. Those are the reasons why i don't think that virtual schools have more to offer than regular schools.
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DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteSarah, you have stated a few good points in your paragraph that I can't really say any thing against. However, you do have a few points that I definitely disagree with. First of all, you said that the virtual school cannot be accessed if their is a power outage or a problem with the internet. I could reply that regular schools can be have similar problems with snow days or a closed road. You also said that hands-on learners would have trouble, but they might also have trouble at regular school where there is not a whole lot more of hands-on activities. Also, just a general point, virtual schools were not meant to replace regular schools. They are just supposed to be for homework help and such.
DeleteSarah, you have stated some valid points but i disagree how you think virtual schools have less to offer. Here is why.
DeleteVirtual Schools
*Can take multiple courses at once
*can go above grade level curriculum
*you don't get in trouble
*you can go when ever you want to
Regular Schools
*Can only take a certain amount of courses
*can sometimes go above grade level curriculum
*you get in trouble if you don't do homework
*you have to learn the lessons at same pace as everyone else.
Now that you see a lot of these points i hope i have changed your mind a little bit.
Sarah, you have written a strong, persuading argument showing that you believe traditional school’s have more to offer then virtual schools. You have provided many negative consequences about/to virtual schools, and I believe your point on how students should get to interact with one another is very important in a classroom. Although, did you ever consider the fact that social networking sites, such as facebook, have greatly impacted elementary school students of the present? Virtual schools use the technology that we are privileged to have, and they incorporate a way of interacting that over 50% of people under 20 use today, instead of speaking or interacting in person. Also, I would like to add that Virtual Schools were created as a tutoring site outside of school, and as a way to give children with disabilities that make it difficult to learn in a classroom or interact with other students an alternate way of learning. In my opinion Virtual Schools have lots to offer and were created for a good purpose, and again, you have written a strong argument, but I am not yet persuaded that traditional school’s have more to offer then Virtual Schools.
DeleteI strongly believe for a number of reasons that virtual schools do not offer more for students than regular schools do. First of all, regular schools provide students with many life skills that virtual schools could not possibly. For example, attending regular school teaches children organization and time-management, between making it to school on time and remembering to bring all those textbooks and homework assignments. Virtual schooling can be done as long as you have a computer, so kids are allowed to lazily sit at home all day. Secondly, regular schools provide students with programs that virtual schools cannot. There are some things like music and art that need to be done by first-hand experience, and cannot be learned by playing a computerized instrument, or blending virtual colours. Thirdly, virtual schools deprive children of the ability to interact with each other as they would in an actual schoolyard, and this early socialization will prove to be extremely important as they grow up. Therefore, for these reasons I believe that regular schools have more to offer than virtual schools.
ReplyDeleteI believe that virtual schools have more to offer then regular schools. Every day you wake up to go to school when there is a school right on your computer at home! Students who log onto LinkonLearning website can choose from about 10 000 lessons from their everyday subjects, which are taught from an automated teachers’ voice. Virtual schools are just like regular school because students have access to an online library where they can download book for assignments, and they have time in the “playground” where they can socially interact with their friends and play games. What more could you ask for from a school that you can log on to? Some parents might ask “What about exercise?” Since the child is at home, he or she can exercise wherever and whenever they have time. The creators of LinkonLearning have been targeting children who are home-schooled or who have learning disabilities or other conditions that make it hard for then to learn at the same pace as their classmates. Virtual schools offer more attention to one student then to a whole classroom. If you ask the online teacher a question, you will get the help in just seconds, where as in a classroom you would have to wait for other questions to be answered before yours. Overall I think that virtual schools are a great idea and they have a lot to offer.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteGabby,
DeleteI agree that going onto your computer is much faster than going to school but if the students only chat online and never face to face, they will not be able to communicate well with people in person.This is why they will have a problem in jobs where you need to communicate with others. Another bad thing is that computers are not the worlds most reliable objects if there is say, a power outage or the internet fails the person that is supposed to learn cant because of those reasons.That's why i disagree with you.
Gabby,
DeleteYou have stated some good points. I agree that virtual schools have many good things to offer like, the one on one help that teachers can give. However I feel that virtual schools don't have more to offer than regular schools, if students don't talk to other children verbally they can become socially awkward. Also with virtual schools children can't educationally participate in art, gym, and music and personally i think that these elements are good to have in your lifestyle and they make school more fun. Overall you have stated why you think that virtual schools have more to offer than regular schools but in reality do you really think that they do?
Gabby, you have written a very persuasive argument in stating your point that virtual schools have more to offer students than regular schools do. I agree with you that they are far more convenient, and students will probably receive more individual help from their teacher than they would in a regular classroom. However, I think that there are many things that virtual schools deprive students of, such as important life skills they will need for the future. This includes organization and time-management, which are practiced on a daily basis by students who attend regular school, by remembering to bring homework assignments and making it to school on time. Therefore, I do not agree with your statement, as I believe that virtual schools do not offer students more than regular schools do.
DeleteVirtual Schooling Blog Response
ReplyDeleteBy: Katia Girardo
I strongly believe that virtual schooling has both positive and negative things to offer.
The positive aspects of virtual schooling are that class sizes are smaller as they only include you within your own home. Children do not have school mates to turn and talk to as frequently as they would in a classroom creating disruption. Also, when you are in a classroom, you lose a lot of time. Students have to move from class to class and the first ten minutes of every period are usually wasted by kids getting books, pens and settling down whereas within a virtual school, you just need to have a computer or a laptop.
The negative aspects of virtual schooling are that it is very difficult to include any extra curricular activities. There would, obviously, not be any sporting activities such as soccer or football games especially because all the students taking part in the virtual schooling are not necessarily located within the same area. Virtually taught individuals would have to be very organized with their time and make every effort to include outside activities as well as making time for school related work. As not having other students distracting other students while in a classroom may be a positive factor it can also be considered a negative one because you do not have other students to exchange ideas with or ask for assistance. At school, students have the chance of making friends however, in a virtual classroom there are no other students to become friends with.
Therefore, I strongly believe that virtual schooling has both positive and negative aspects however, I prefer to be taught in a classroom environment.
Virtual schools
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that virtual schools have more to offer than regular schools. There are many ways to defend or attack the virtual schools, but I believe that online schooling should not be used as a replacement.
First of all, the virtual schools should not be a replacement because they lack real human help. You cannot ask an obscure or complicated question like “Are turtles omnivores?” in science classes. The computer just doesn’t have the knowledge or intelligence to process, understand, and answer the question. It also is too much time on the computer. Although it is certainly better than gaming, being on the computer affects your eyes, hands, back, neck, and more. You may be learning, but your body is not doing well. Another problem is lack of hands on experience. You can play a digital trombone. But if some body hands you a real trombone, you would lack the skills to actually make it work.
However, that does not mean it cannot be used at all. It can be used by kids after school who have trouble learning a classroom. It can help children who struggle with difficult concepts. It can even be used by students who excel in certain subjects and want a challenge. It can be used as an extra, on the side help, but not a replacement.
Note: I apologize for the lateness but in did not have access to a computer until a few hours ago.
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DeleteI believe virtual schools have more to offer than regular schools because of these reasons. You can learn what ever you want, when ever you want and you don't have to follow many rules like in school. Also you can learn higher grade level curriculum without having to stop because of a classroom. I think virtual schools can also be a great help to students having educational difficulties for instance www.homeworkhelp.org is a great tool you can use on the internet to catch up on curriculum you have maybe missed. I've noticed a lot of people are saying "virtual schools lack hands on experience" which they do, but you don't really need hands on experience to be good at something, all you need to do is go online and take lessons and watch other people do the task and you can do it as well. For instance, i wanted to learn how to DJ a while ago so i went on youtube.com and took lessons then bought my equipment and learned everything i needed to know. In conclusion i believe virtual schools are a great tool
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteBy; Luke Vendittelli
DeleteAlbert I agree with you about being able to catch up on things you missed. But I think that it’s not good if a student grows up not having to follow rules because they will grow up with the mindset that they don’t need to follow rules and then they’re going to have problems when they’re boss yells at them for not doing the work they were assigned to. Also I don’t agree with the fact that you would be able to learn whatever you want. There would still be a set curriculum you would need to know to be able to pass the test. One last thing you wouldn’t be able to do it whenever you want because there would still be due dates. If you could do it whenever you want to, no one would ever want to and nothing would ever get done.
By, Cameron
DeleteI do agree with you albert with the point about how the internet has lots to offer and can help and teach you many great things but with virtual schools there will be no discipline there for the students can very easily and get away with it very easily and repeat that constantly. Also what if there are kids with no computers or what if the power runs out what will the student do. Finally there wont be a point for due dates because there is nothing that a computer can do and there parents could be at work so he or she could get away easily.
Cameron, i agree with the discipline part but i have a question.
Deletewhy would someone sign up for a virtual school if they don't have a computer???
I believe that virtual schools do not offer more because at the virtual school the students don't have the exercise they need because you cannot run laps, play basketball, etc. in a small room. You won't have any physical exercise for 6 hours. Another bad thing Is that you don't actually talk to anybody, not your classmates or you “teachers”. If you don't actually talk to anybody later on you wont be able to communicate with people and in the future you will not be able to get any job that includes talking or communicating with people. Another bad thing is that you don’t do any hands on activities. Sure you can learn to play a sport or an instrument but if you are actually asked to do that you will not know what to do or how to do it well. The “teachers” also have way less control over you because you could be playing on your iPod while typing to them. The discipline will also be way lower because the teacher wont be able to keep you in for recess or anything at all. A big minus is also the fact that if you go on the computer to often and for long periods of time your eyesight will start to fail. Your back and other parts of your body will also not be in a good condition because your in the same position for a lot of the day. This is why I believe that virtual schools do not have more to offer than real schools.
ReplyDeleteKonrad i agree that you have stated some good points. but in the ending part you kind of got carried away.
Deleteif you would be doing nothing the discipline is going to affect your self for not doing something later on in life.there might make some new website that has the same thing as homework help.ils so you can speak to actual teachers. overall you have stated many good points
I believe that virtual schools offer less to students than the regular classroom does for a few reasons. Firstly, students learn differently and each prefers a different teaching style. While virtual learning might work well for those students who prefer audio or visual learning, a computer does not cater to those students who are kinesthetic learners or musical learners. Thus, students who benefit from hands-on work would be at a disadvantage since only a few multiple intelligences are being addressed. Also, many students, especially boys, like to move around and find it difficult to sit for long periods while they are being lectured to. In a classroom a teacher can vary the lesson and allow for activities to take place in between information being taught. Virtual learning is mainly teacher-centred and this would mean that more students would get bored and restless and become distracted from the lesson. To make matters worse, there would be no teacher around to keep students on task and to redirect them if they strayed off course.
ReplyDeleteVirtual learning does not offer the social benefits that children receive in a regular classroom. For many students, especially in elementary school, school is the main place for social interaction with other students their age. With virtual schools, students would be physically isolated from one another and they way they relate and interact would be extremely limited. There is already concern that children and teens lack the proper social skills because of the way they communicate through Facebook and texting. This would be one more obstacle that would negatively affect the socialization process. Moreover, studies have shown that teens that spend a great deal of time on social networking sites have increased rates of depression. This would only add to the problem since the natural need to have human contact is decreased.
For these reasons, I believe virtual schools should not be a replacement for the regular classroom, as they pose many problems and issues that affect children's learning.
Virtual Schooling Blog Response
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe that virtual schooling is a negative way to teach children.
The negative aspects of virtual schooling are that it is very difficult to include any extra curricular activities. There would, obviously, not be any sporting activities such as soccer or football games especially because all the students taking part in the virtual schooling are not necessarily located within the same area. Virtually taught individuals would have to be very organized with their time and make every effort to include outside activities as well as making time for school related work. As not having other students distracting other students while in a classroom may be a positive factor it can also be considered a negative one because you do not have other students to exchange ideas with or ask for assistance. At school, students have the chance of making friends however, in a virtual classroom there are no other students to become friends with.
Therefore, I strongly believe that virtual schooling is a negative way to each kids. I feel that it is a negative way to teach kids because I prefer to be taught in a classroom environment.
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ReplyDeleteVirtual Schooling doesn’t offer the same experience as regular schooling. It simply isn’t the same. Sure, it offers all the things we do at school, but we can only access it through the click of a mouse. It won’t be as effective as hands on learning. For example, pushing keys on a virtual trombone on a screen won’t have the same effect as actually playing a real one. It wouldn’t contribute to the process of learning. Or, how about doing a math lesson. I personally have been struggling in math lately, and instead of being able to ask my teacher for help, I would have to rely on the instant feedback provided. It won’t understand my personal issues in the subject. Also, virtual schools will make students socially awkward when they mature, because they cannot physically interact with their fellow peers. They wouldn’t be able to play games together at recess or eat lunch together. In conclusion, virtual schools definitely pose some problems, and just wouldn’t be as effective as regular school. Virtual schools should not be a replacement, but rather be used in conjunction with regular schools. This way, the students get the benefits coming from the virtual schools and the classroom.
ReplyDeleteBy: Luke Vendittelli
ReplyDeleteI believe virtual schooling is not a good idea for various reasons. First of all you never actually get to talk to the person all you get to talk to is text. Not being able to actually talk to the person can pose huge problems. For example if you need help with something or you don’t understand something, you would have to send the teacher a message. Most teachers won’t be on the blog or whatever 24/7 so you wouldn’t get an immediate answer like you would in real life. Another thing is distractions computers would cause way too many distractions for a student. For example I could see people doing homework with maybe four internet tabs open with Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and e-mail. So while they are doing homework they’re also doing these other things which will like I said distract them from what they are doing causing work of worse quality. One more thing is discipline when you talk to a computer instead of an actual teacher there is no punishment if you don’t do your homework. What could they do? This would eventually go on and when the kid gets older and is at work he might think he doesn’t actually have to do any of the work, because he didn’t in school. For those reasons and the fact that people who more often text or have a phone conversation then talk in common are more likely to develop social anxiety. I believe that virtual schooling does not offer more than real schooling.
By: Luke Vendittelli
Luke,
DeleteI definitely agree that virtual schools do not give the same experience as regular school, although, I believe it still has a place in the development of learning. I believe, rather than just not using it, they could be used alongside each other, perhaps using virtual school to help you after-school if you didn’t understand a lesson taught in class, or maybe to work on any unfinished tasks in the classroom.
Text Messaging Blog Response
ReplyDeleteI believe that texting has less to offer then real life communication. Although there are some benefits of texting such as distance communication free of charge and fast access. The disadvantages outweigh the advantages. If believe texting is better for the following reasons, with texting you are not able to express emotion like sarcasm and texting can be a distraction from your real life. To expand, with real life talk 70% if the communication is non-verbal meaning 70% of the texting has not been sent. Texting is also a distraction, take my sister for example, my sister is always texting and it sometimes seems that her contacts are her family instead of us. This also affects her focus for example, my mom will tell her to clean her room and an hour later she will come out her room texting and her room will be the same because she has been texting the whole time. Finally texting may take over all communication until there is absolutely no verbal contact just like in the commercial for RV’s. in this commercial whole family is using their technology and then the dad knocks down a picture of the family fishing and he remembers all the great moments before technology hit them. In conclusion I believe face to face talk is a better form of communication the texting.
by:ted
Text Messaging Response:
ReplyDeleteI believe that text messaging is a good way of communication. These are some of the reasons why i believe that text messaging is a good way of communication. For one if you are visiting family and friends i find it very rude to leave the conversation to go talk on a phone but if using text messaging you can talk with whoever and not dismiss your self from your family conversation. Another reason it is good is that if someone's mother or father is in a meeting at work and the child needs something the child can communicate threw text messaging without forcing the parent to leave his or hers important discussion. I also believe that text messaging is safe. In text messaging you can talk to your friends with out the worry of creepy or bad people on the internet like on Facebook and any of the other social media sites. Another great thing with texting is if you move and have friends you miss you don't have to worry about going on the unsafe internet to communicate with your old friends. Text messaging is also very easy and fast to use. In conclusion text messaging is a very safe good smart easy way to communicate.
I believe regular schools have more to offer students then virtual schools. In a regular school, there are teachers physically present in the classroom. The teacher helps manage the classroom behaviour, what the students are working on, keeping them focused, making sure they understand the work that has been given, as well as being able to assist students who are having difficulty and give examples or demonstrations. When receiving marks or report cards, the teacher can discuss any problems or concerns with parents or the student, and can also show examples of their work. In relation to subjects like Physical Education and Visual Arts, I think that there needs to be a teacher physically present to properly teach and give feedback. In both subjects, the present teacher can give examples or demonstrate the activity or assignment. Being at a regular school also means that the students can have peers with whom to share ideas and creativity, as well as receive peer feedback. Peers are also important to help students develop skills, like cooperation, getting along, working in groups, giving feedback, all of which are needed to help students in life. Peers also allow students to become more social, especially at break times, such as lunch and recesses. Attending a virtual school does not incorporate a teacher present in the classroom, subjects like Physical Education or Visual Arts in a hands-on way, or peer interaction. Overall, I strongly believe that regular schools give more learning opportunities, both academic and social, then virtual schools.
ReplyDeleteJacqueline,
DeleteYou have made some very valid points on why you believe regular schools have more to offer then virtual schools. I agree that virtual schools shouldn't fully replace regular schools however, I still think that there could be a lot of positive outcomes. For example: when you said that you thought there needed to be a teacher to physically teach the lesson and give feed back. Think about this...in the future technology will be a big part of our life's. There may not be a teacher that is physically in the classroom , but maybe on a screen or just an automated voice. Students could start getting an idea of what this could be like, by using virtual schooling as a tutor.
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI think you have made fairly valid points and I have to agree that not all kids will be able to use virtual schools as suceesfully as others. Children don't learn disipline by using virtual schools because it is easier to skip school on virtual schools than regular schools with no teacher able to call your parent or show up on your front step. Displine will help children go far in the future. Won't you agree?
Virtual Schools
ReplyDeleteVirtual Schools have many pro and cons. This is one of the pros about virtual schools its very good because the students learning on it can learn at their own pace so they don’t get confused about the lesson. One con is that you aren’t really interacting with other people in virtual schools except for he other people on the virtual schools at recess. They are not real people though so if you are on a virtual school you probably wont have good social skills in real life.
Another pro is that in a virtual school their aren’t any other person it is just you so you wont be interrupted by any class mates. Having no class mates is a bad thing too because in real schools you group things so in a virtual school you wont learn how to co-operate with other people. That will affect you later in life if you don’t know how to co-operate with your work members.
There is also tons and tons of lessons you can do in virtual schools and you don’t need big heavy to carry around all day. You just pick a lesson from the library in the virtual school then you do the lesson with none of the books you would use in a regular school.
Those are the pros and cons of a virtual school.