I agree with the position of the authors as it relates to the need to evolve distance education in the next generation; however, most of my experience with distance education in K-12 has been negative.
The third part of the article relates to my negative experience with distance education as it relates to a “dumping ground” for at- risk students and the lack of trained professionals. The instructor across from my classroom had a distance learning lab. She was told she would have this lab only a week prior to the first day of school. Fortunately she was motivated to seek training from other teachers experienced in the area, but the principal’s perception of the class was not one of great importance for the entire student body. The principal perceived this course as a way to decrease the drop out rate. She had little authority as it relates to the course, and did not buy into to its importance. Needless to say the course was dropped from the school curriculum, although the current instructor was never informed until rosters were distributed.
Distance learning does play a significant role in addressing at-risk students, and Distance learning can be beneficial to our secondary schools as it has shown to greatly enhance higher education in terms of instructional technologies and learning outcomes. Perceptions of authority and other psychological determinants must be addressed.
Hi Wanda:
ReplyDeleteVery nice blog! I agree whole heartedly with DE being beneficial to secondary schools, and I would hope that it (DE) can become a tool in keeping students in school-environments and help them to achieve goals that might just be unattainable due to hardship or lack of motivation. I have several of these students in my classes at the prison. They have regrets that they did not finish school and dropped at 10th or 11th grade.
I'm happy to be a part of our group. By the way my Skype # is chrisbw31. Hope to talk to you and everyone soon!
Chris W.
Wanda, you certainly have much to share in your blog. It’s funny how distance learning is considered a potential dumping ground. For years, teachers at traditional schools were looked upon as nothing more than overpaid babysitters. What is the role of schools? Yes, we want them to be informed citizens. The toughest challenge for online learners I believe is the false belief of extra time.
ReplyDeleteFalse belief.....That is a mouthful. I am not sure I believed I really had a lot of extra time, but I felt the flexibility that distance education offered made me feel as if I had more time.
ReplyDeleteOnce distance learning was considered an option for adult learners, and now it is an option for at-risk students, homebound students, and those students who are trying to recovery credit.
Are you using distance learning for these reasons in your district? What are other ways might distance learning be used in your district?
http://www.inacol.org/research/promisingpractices/NACOL_CreditRecovery_PromisingPractices.pdf
I am not certain if my district is using district learning for the students, but many of the teachers are pursuing degress from one of the many available options. Free time comes from the lack of travel time. For example, if I drove to the nearest campus, I would either be traveling out of state to Tennessee on weekends or fighting traffic to make a 6 o'clock class after teaching all day and attending various meeting.
ReplyDeleteHere is a link to a blog which writes about the advantages and disadvantages of distance learning. Please take note of the advertisement on the blog.
http://bestdistancelearning.info/distance-learning-pros-and-cons.html
Wanda, How would you implement a DE program to help your at-risk students?
ReplyDelete~ Dr. Smolka
I am the coordinator of the senior project program at my high school. Each year I have two or three students that are enrolled in school for this course only to complete requirements for graduation. Many times counselors ask me to work with the students before or after school. I find it much easier when the student and I work through email, text messages, and cell phones. Since I have been in this class, I will add to the program by asking those at-risk students to subscribe to Skype and use blogger. These students can have more access to instruction and guidance as well as collaborate with other students in the class. I am also thinking of creating a Twitter of Facebook account for my senior project students, at risk or on track.
ReplyDeletehttp://seniorprojectblog.blogspot.com/
Wanda