In the article "Why some students prefer virtual schooling" by Laura Devaney for eSchoolNews.com, she discussed the reasons several high school students and parents prefer virtual schooling to traditional brick-and-mortar schools.
The number one comment the students had to make was the scheduling flexibility. One student who was a former competitive ice skater started attending an online school to balance the problem of pre-dawn practices, and then rushing to make his class on time. Online teachers insist they spend far less time dealing with in-class management issues such as tardy slips or discipline. Online teachers also feel they are not limited in differentiating their instruction virtually, as they might be in a traditional classroom, with only so many hours in the day, per curriculum subject area.
I enjoyed this article because it reinforced what I see is not just a passing "trend," but a significant need to be addressed with school districts. It may sound like a generality, but I believe parents, teachers, and students are all frustrated with what is out there. Personally, I know I am frustrated with the monumental amount of time that is wasted in my class with discipline and a lack of parental support that comes with it. Unfortunately, the socioeconomic issues that play along with this hinders any realistic alternatives for schooling online, let alone at home.
http://www.eschoolnews.com/2008/12/01/why-some-students-prefer-virtual-s...?
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