Online learning takes hold in US
p2pnet news | Freedom:- Virtual learning is becoming ubiquitous at colleges and universities but remains in its infancy at the elementary and secondary level, where skeptics have questioned its cost and effect on children’s socialization.
So says Associated Press in a story which goes on that the popularity of virtual schools in America is increasing at an annual rate of about 25%.
There are 25 statewide or state-led programs and more than 170 virtual charter schools in the US, says the North American Council for Online Learning, according to AP.
“The oldest and largest virtual school in the country, Florida Virtual School is still growing,” says eSchool News, going on:
Although some have raised questions about funding and the amount of social interaction that students receive, ed-tech advocates say the potential of FLVS, and other virtual schools, is unlimited, and can help struggling students become 21st century learners.
Education today has, “surpassed barriers of time, distance, language and this could have been possible only by cyber education, says TMCNet, continuing:
Estimates of elementary and secondary students taking virtual classes range from 500,000 to 1,000,000 nationally, compared with total public school enrollment of about 50 million, states eSchool News.
But not everyone is enthusiastic about online learning.
Teacher unions have opposed spending public dollars on some virtual schools,” mainly those that are privately operated or function as charter schools,” says AP, adding:
“Indiana lawmakers this year refused to fund virtual charter schools. Opponents argued they are unproven and would have siphoned millions of dollars from traditional public schools.”
Also See:
Associated Press – Virtual Schooling Growing at K-12 Level, September 7, 2007
eSchool News – Florida leads growth in virtual schooling, August 17, 2007
TMCNet – Online learning- the demand and the need of modern education, August 20, 2007
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September 7th, 2007 at 6:37 am
Why would there be a problem with online schools?
I mean, growing up, I was unable to sit through a school day without disrupting the classroom at least several times. I tried doing the online thing, but, being a internet scavenger, I tended to get sidetracked elsewhere. But I still got more work done, AND better grades through that kind of program than a “traditional classroom setting.”
Maybe it is just me, but, I think that these teachers and so on, are skeptical, and fear losing their jobs.