Week 13 - Virtual Schools

With much thought and consideration I write this letter to express my dismay with the view of virtual schooling here at Exira High School. There are many arguments that can convey the importance of the virtual school experience but I will only share a few today. The points that I would like to cover include, the Michigan requirement for at least one class of online schooling, the opportunity for students to receive courses that are not offered at Exira and the experience obtained through virtual schools.
All of these points are valid but none so much as the state mandate of at least one class of online learning by graduation. With Michigan making a push for state wide uniformity, it would benefit Exira High School to continue to make strides toward this initiative. With this standard starting with the 9th grades of 2007-2008 we as a school have to make sure we continue to push for this form of instruction. Information on this standard can be found on the Michigan Department of Education’s website, http://www.michigan.gov/mde . The site notes that this requirement is to help prepare students for the demands they will encounter in higher education, the workplace, and personal lifelong learning.
The next very important point is the topic of course offerings. The reason Danielle took the chemistry class in this manner is because Exira did not already offer this course as part of the curriculum. Virtual schooling helps provide advance and remedial subject matters that our local school does not. This will greatly increase student performance and accomplishment. This scenario shows all the stakeholders involved that Exira is ready to continue the advancement into more virtual school opportunities. With the local support from facilitating teacher, counselors and parents there is not telling how far our students can succeed. One point that does need to be address it the incident of internet safety that Danielle and her group members encountered. There needs to be a forum set up for student interaction outside of the classroom. iSafe.com, http://www.isafe.com is a very good website to address this issue.
Finally virtual schools help to foster a learning experience like no other. Students with the help of a teacher facilitator can gain learning opportunities that would not other wise exist. Virtual schooling prepares students for the world we live in today. With this form of education students can open their horizons in the future. If you look on the internet today there are over a dozen online college degree courses being offered. Students that do not have other means may find it more convenient to attend an online college. Armed with the experience of virtual schooling will serve them well. Take Kaplan University for example http://www.kaplan.edu . This accredited educational institution offers Associate, Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate, and certificate degree programs. All of which can be taken online. If we are trying to develop our students to be successful and marketable in this global world, virtual schooling is a step in the right direction.