Most of us went to traditional schools. We walked or took the school bus. Our first stop was home room. My school divided home rooms alphabetically. My homeroom classmates’ last names began with A, B, C, or D. Teachers taught in front of the classroom. Same students in the same classes every day. School was part of our community. Most students learn the same way today.
So why online? Many say that online education is devoid of community. Children will sit in front of their computers all day and not have the opportunity to socialize with other students. The internet is full of distractions. They’ll be on Facebook all day. Online or traditional schools are not an either/or option. It’s never one or the other, digital or analog. A school can incorporate online teaching within a traditional setting. For example, a school may use an online class when it is more cost effective. For example, a school may have only 5 AP Chemistry students or 5 Woodworking students. These students can take their respective classes online, in real time, with other students from different schools. Incorporating online education or a class from an external source is not new. Local Public Broadcasting System (PBS) stations broadcasted educational TV shows since the 1950s. I remember learning French in the 1960s by watching Miss Fenwick on WGBH Boston, channel 2. Parlons Francais taught by Anne Slack was a pioneer in educational TV. From that website, “Anne Slack introduced French to more than 2 million elementary school children in the late 1950s and early 1960s by encouraging them to “écouter’’ and “répéter.’’” Click here to watch an episode. French in Action was another popular show that taught French. So, the technology has changed but the concept is not new. Students can learn online and still socialize and have the classroom experience. Some online schools incorporate meeting places. Students discuss what they are learning. Teachers are there to guide the discussions and do additional teaching. Some online, real-time classes are also streamed. It is a hybrid system. Homeschoolers can also use this method. Online education provides both alternative and additional resources for teaching. It is neither traditional nor online. It is the option or combination that works best.
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