virtual high schools practicalities and possibilities: ellen m. nosal
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Educational Choices New course offerings No limits on enrollment Home schooled Home bound students Transfer students Special needs students Family needs Jobs Older set getting diplomas Advanced degreesTRANSCRIPT
Virtual High Schools
Practicalities and Possibilities:Ellen M. Nosal
The Virtual High School Movement
• An Invitation to a Revolution– corresponding learning– educational choices– globalization of education
• Concerns: – the way it’s always been done– loss of peer-to-peer interaction and
socialization– the digital divide
Educational Choices
• New course offerings• No limits on enrollment• Home schooled • Home bound students• Transfer students• Special needs students • Family needs• Jobs• Older set getting diplomas• Advanced degrees
Globalization of Education
Boundaries, Boarders and Time Zones
-Limitations of the past
The Virtual High School Learner
• Who is served by the VHS?– Accelerated students– Students needing credit– Students with disabilities
• Characteristics of the VHS learner– Self motivated– Comfortable with technology or willing to learn– Able to manage time effectively
• Accelerated learner• A transfer student needing to make up credit• Classes not offered at school• Canceling a of class do to low enrollment• Special needs student• Homebound student• Older student getting diploma
Typical Online Student
Responsibilities:Students and
Instructors•Trust•Motivation•Questions and answers•Pacing•Support
-technological-academic
The Current State of the Art: Programs and Courses
Effective programs:• Work closely with home schools for admissions and the transfer of credits• Web site should be easy to navigate• Program has a history of success• Program has standard technology requirements
•Internet access, computer processor etc.• Programs need to be cost effective
Courses:• Offer curriculum similar to home school• Offer advanced placement classes• Have standards are aligned to state• Teachers are state certified or nationally certified
The Current State of the Art: Programs and Courses
Choose the style of learning that best fits your needs
• Do you need deadlines?• Can you pace yourself?• Do you have a quiet place to study?• How well do you know the software?• Are you comfortable with technology?
Benefits, Issues, and Concerns
• Your time• Your path• Your pace
Benefits, Issues, and Concerns
• Responsibility• Federal regulations• Funding• Accreditation• Property rights
Benefits, Issues, and Concerns
• Cheating• Plagiarism• Fraud
Recommendations
• Go with a program that fits our needs• Shop for the best price• Seek a flexible and expandable program• Get a partnership• A track record of good business practices• Excellent customer service
• Have dynamic teachers on board early• Have professional development in place• Take an inventory of technology
-What do we have?-What we need?
• Have adequate funding appropriated• Have students ready to lead the way
To Do List….
Success