Chantel Smith ENC 1101 Professor McGriff 10/27/2013

Virtual Schooling a New Way of Learning When we think about school we envision a traditional classroom filled with desks, black boards and students eager to learn. What about the students who are signing in to their virtual classroom? In the last decade virtual schooling has become increasingly more popular. Despite its growing popularity parents are still concerned with academic integrity, lack of socialization, and student-teacher interaction, I feel parents should not be concerned as school boards take several measures to ensure academic integrity, offer several ways for students to socialize, and teachers are always available making virtual school a great choice. Although academic integrity of great concern there are many ways in which virtual school students are monitored. When students are first enrolled they are asked to sign an academic integrity contract. Katie Ash, author of Virtual Educators Work to Protect Academic Integrity; concerns arising about parents role states that in the year 2000 virtual schools started monitoring students to determine whether students were cheating or receiving help from parents. Upon completion of each module virtual students are required to take a discussion based assessment. This is done via webcam and is a helpful tool in evaluating the students understanding of the material (Ash). Other ways in which students are monitored is by running all assignments through plagiarism-detection software. All students are required to take midterms, finals, placement and standardized testing at a traditional school. By doing so they are able to be monitored by faculty. To further prevent dishonesty among students the

school will hold labs where students have one on one time with their teachers. This gives teachers the opportunity to work with students to see where they might need further instruction. According to Ash, communication between parents and teachers is also helpful in ensuring academic integrity. As for the lack of social interaction Clifford Stoll, author of Cyberschool believes that a cyber-school system can be dehumanizing(284). However, students are able to interact with other students in their class via discussion boards, chat rooms and instant messaging. The virtual school also offers meet and greet opportunities for students and organize social events. Students are also able to participate in sports through either recreation associations or their local school. All of these are great opportunities for socialization. According to Clifford Stoll, author of Cyberschoolteachers are an unnecessary appendix(283). I disagree with Stolls view that teachers are no longer needed in the virtual classroom because, according to Figueroa, Lee authors of Internal and external indicators of virtual learning success: a guide to success in K-12 virtual learning students are able to connect with their teachers via email, instant messaging, telephone, the virtual classroom, and discussion boards. The teachers hold labs which students can attend. In these labs students receive one on one help from their teachers. Besides these labs students also have the opportunity to schedule private tutoring if needed. Students and parents feel that they have a better relationship with instructors in virtual school then they had in traditional school. The teachers remain in contact with students and parents via email and phone and alert parents of any concerns with the students grades or progress. There are some valid concerns when it comes to deciding whether to enroll your child in virtual school. I feel there are more concerns with children attending traditional school. Some of those concerns are bullying, in class distractions, and peer pressure. I believe virtual schooling is a great alternative for students with learning disabilities, as more time can be devoted to making

sure they understand the material. Students who have fallen behind in traditional school, due to illness or hospitalization. Students who need extra credits to graduate on time, those who failed a class, and students whose parents are required to travel for their jobs. Just remember that parents play a big role in the success of the student when it comes to virtual school. So make sure you teach your child about academic integrity, ensure your child is able to attend events, and maintain open communication with their teachers. These are all keys to a great virtual experience.

Works Cited Ash, Katie. "Virtual Educators Work to Protect Academic Integrity; Concerns arising about parents' role." Education Week 11 Sept. 2013: 13. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 27 Oct. 2013. Figueroa, Raquel, and Michelle Lee. Internal and External Indicators of Virtual Learning Success: a guide to success in K-12 virtual learning. Distance Learning 9.1(2012): Academic OneFile. Web. 27 Oct. 2013 Stoll, Clifford Cyberschool. Longman Writer. NewYork: Pearson, 2011. Print