http://vlacs.org/
An educational technology tool that we talked about in class, the first class actually, is vlacs.org. It's the online, virtual middle and high school in New Hampshire. It's a great new technology that will change the future of learning for young students. It's an avenue that students take for the "non-traditional" path. Additionally, students that cannot attend a private school for whatever reason and want to be challenged academically can take full or part-time classes. If a student's high school does not have the funds to offer AP, honors, college prep courses and even SAT prep, Vlacs can enhance and attribute to higher learning for New Hampshire residents.
It's free if you live in NH and was recently initiated by Exeter Regional school as an independent organization. Vlacs is NH and US department of education approved and is available to anyone that has not been expelled, or under 21 years old. I sound like a walking advertisement for the school, but it truly has so much to offer students at mediocre schools or for students that want to work and attend school at the same time.
Students and teachers alike gain from Vlacs because it offers scheduling flexibility, expanded course offerings and one to one communication. Middle school Spanish is an example of one of the course offerings. The only requirements for the course are a microphone, a computer, and an internet connection. It's on going enrollment, so students don't have to take the traditional path of school starting at the end of August and ending in June. There are no snow days, pending power outages of course, and of course there are not any commuting costs, parking issues, etc. Today's students use computers in their everyday life. What a way to enhance the learning experience for both the student and the teacher. It allows students the freedom to create their own learning environment that allows flexibility and creativity.
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I agree that this is a great tool for students to enhance their high school learning experience. If used correctly students can take classes that they would otherwise not have access to. It is also very practical because in the future many jobs will be internet based so it is a great real world learning experience in itself. However, I do worry a bit about students using it too much , taking too many of their courses online and missing out on the traditional highschool experience. It is one of those lines that can be easily crossed when it comes to technology. Even though there is a lot of communication with the teacher the parent and the student, I worry about the simple everyday social interactions that students may miss out on if they use this tool too much. I think this is a great tool if it is not over used.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit when I first heard about this online school I was a little worried. I thought that maybe someday teachers would become obsolete! But after talking about it in class a bit more I realized that it is a great resource for students. Even though students are in the same age group that does not mean that they are at the same spot academically. This online school will allow advanced students to challange themselves educationally, receive credits and prepare them for college!
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