foulgerinnovations

Online Schools

Page history last edited by carrie baird 1 yr ago

ONLINE SCHOOLS

by: Carrie Baird & Breanna Hevner

What is Online School?

Also known as distance learning, online schools allow teachers and students to communicate with one another over Internet connection, use of telephone or mail. There is no need for a classroom, just a computer with internet access.

Types of Online Learning

Synchronous: Synchronous online learning happens when you are communicating with other students or instructors at the exact same time. This means that you are sending emails or messages to students while they are also online. Some online classes require that all students be online at the same time, in order to allow students to discuss information and provide instantaneous feedback to others.
Asynchronous: Asynchronous online learning happens when you engage in online learning at your own pace. You can log-on to your course at any time and post messages or send emails to other students who are not online. Responses to your questions will be sent back to you later on. Most online students like asynchronous learning because it offers more flexibility.
Blended: Blended online learning combines the best of traditional and online learning. With blended learning, you attend some classes where you will meet face-to-face with your instructor and fellow classmates. Some learning will take place in the classroom, and tests or exams may be given on campus. However, numerous assignments and lectures will also take place in an online environment, which you can access from home.

Why would a parent/student choose online school?

Excellent Education – Majority of online school are highly reputable and are dedicated in providing the best education for the students through in-depth and creative learning experience..
Accredited –

· Regional Accreditation: Regional accreditation is typically recognized as the best type of accreditation available in the United States. There are six main regional accreditation bodies which are responsible for reviewing colleges and universities that lie in specific geographic areas.

· National Accreditation: National accreditation is typically seen as inferior to regional accreditation, however, it is still widely accepted by employers. National accreditation bodies accredit both colleges and universities.

· Specialized Accreditation: Specialized accreditation does not apply to an entire school but rather, a specific program within a school (for example, a psychology, nursing, or health department). It is required for some specialized job fields.

Also...

Flexible Schedule – Help students who has a busy schedule.
Student –Center Learning –Learning that is center around the student, its tailored to fit the different learning styles, offers visual, audio, and oral components.
Fair playing field - Online learning also attracts students because it offers the chance to start the learning process on a level playing field. Since you never see your fellow classmates or instructor, there are no judgments made based on race, ethnicity, gender, or physical appearance. Instead, you are evaluated based on your performance on assignments and tests as well as on the comments that you make on the course material. This fair playing field goes a long way to making learning more comfortable for a lot of students.

Disadvantages, or "pitfalls" of Online Learning

Require dedication and time management – There is no instructor to guide the students to make sure they understood the entire course requirement. The student must make the time and effort to do the assignments, test, discussion board and etc.
Limited feedback- Not enough feedback are given between other fellow students are instructor because the nature of the course. Feeback are to get because students are not able to talk person-to-person, or on a daily or weekly basis.
Lacks of a Classroom Atmosphere – Students are not surrounded by other classmates or instructor, that teaching and learning must be done on your own.

Common types of onine schooling include:

Online homeschool/supplemental homeschool
High school- primary high school, summer school, or supplemental courses
College- both degree-seeking and non-degree seeking

For additional informatin on online schools, including a links to existing distance learning institutions and references used for this wiki, see below:

Arizona Virtual Academy

On the website home page, you are able to access information about the school and the cirriculum that they incorporate. What is also availiable on the website are sample lessons in many areas of study and in different grade levels.

As a class, we are going to quickly navigate through a sample lesson in history, for kindergartens. We feel that any parent who is reluctant in trying this way of schooling would have a better understanding and appreciation of it all if they were able to see their young child, in kindergarten perhaps, succeed in the lesson and obtain the appropriate knowledge.

Please feel free to navigate the website for yourself, there is much information to be learned.

The Arizona Virtual Academy uses the K¹² curriculum to offer Arizona students in grades K-12 an exceptional learning experience. With individualized learning approaches, the Arizona Virtual Academy and K¹² provide the tools kids need to succeed—in school and beyond.

More than 97 percent of families are satisfied with the curriculum quality.

The Arizona Virtual Academy is one of the largest and fastest-growing schools in Arizona, and here's why:

Our experienced, state-certified, Highly Qualified teachers, who are available online and by phone.
The exceptional, individualized K¹² curriculum, which covers both the core subject areas and electives. Based on decades of education research, this curriculum packages high-quality lessons with mastery-based assessments that ensure students achieve success at each and every level.
The online planning and assessment tools, resources, and hands-on materials ranging from textbooks to microscopes, rocks and dirt to beautifully illustrated classic children's stories, and much more.
Our active, supportive school community, which organizes fun and informative monthly activities where AZVA parents, students, and staff share their successes, helpful hints, and more.
The high-quality, tuition-free public education that enables a learning experience that is individualized for each child.

(2008). Who we are. Retrieved March 19, 2008, from Arizona Virtual Academy Web site: http://www.k12.com/azva/who_we_are/index.html

Sample Lessons link

http://www.k12.com/get_a_taste_of_k12/k12_lessons/index.html

AZVA Curriculum link

http://www.k12.com/azva/curriculum/index.html

AZVA FAQs link

http://www.k12.com/azva/faqs/index.html

AZVA - How it Works link

http://www.k12.com/azva/how_it_works/index.html