What Barack’s Mother Understood About Education That We Don’t.
September 12, 2009 by Elizabeth Kanna
Filed under Articles
As a working mother worried about the quality of her son’s public school education, Ann Dunham decided to take charge. She subscribed to correspondence courses, then homeschooled her boy for three hours each morning before he left for the local school and she went to work. It wasn’t easy, but the effort paid off: Dunham’s son, Barack Obama, became America’s 44th president.
Granted, Dunham’s situation was unusual–she and her son were living in Indonesia at the time–but her decision to go hands-on to supplement her child’s sub-par public education carries a valuable lesson for frustrated parents struggling for answers to America’s declining public school standards: get involved. And the good news is that technology today gives parents the power to shape their child’s education in ways unthinkable just a generation ago.
For anyone questioning American public school quality in 2009, here’s a reality check. The graduation rate for Washington, D.C, public schools this year below 50 percent. In California, the country’s most populous state, public schools produce one dropout for every three graduates. Two out of the three who do graduate can’t read at an eighth grade level. In other states too, quality is trending downward.
Alone, each of these facts is alarming. Collectively, it is a crisis—a crisis involving your child’s and America’s future. Virtual schooling may not be the answer to restore intellectual vigor in a society of sinking public education quality. But there is clear evidence it can be one answer.
Dunham taught her son English from correspondence courses she got by mail after weeks of waiting. Today, access to online databases makes modern teaching materials for English and a treasure-trove of other knowledge available instantly, anywhere in the world. Both time and circumstance will make virtual learning only more attractive in the future. In an era of budget overload, virtual schooling is both cost-effective and flexible.
Several providers of virtual school curricula, report enrollment up sharply and prospects for future growth are strong. Why? Because virtual schooling works. A 2007 Florida study of the 2004-05 and 2005-06 school years, showed virtual school students consistently outperformed their counterparts in traditional middle and high schools.
My husband and I decided early on that our three daughters’ education was ultimately our responsibility. We used available technology to supplement their education, from learning-to-read computer programs to virtual college classes. On any given day in our home, our daughters, now ages 19,16 and 13, take a class offered by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), listen to a Nobel Laureate’s lecture or study a second language—all from programs that are either free or have nominal costs.
Has our hands-on journey been successful? Our eldest is on the President’s list at college, our sixteen year-old is in an accelerated college program at our local university and the thirteen year-old attends a hybrid school with an emphasis on math, science and engineering.
With the explosive growth of online learning opportunities, at the click of mouse or the use of an iPod, parents now have access to help their child learn anything, anywhere and at any time.
Our family is not alone in discovering this reality.
In Disrupting Class, Clayton Christensen noted enrollments in state-accredited online courses went from 45,000 in 2000 to roughly one million in 2007. He estimates that in ten years, enrollment in online learning will surpass that of live instruction.
That’s hardly surprising. As any parent knows, America’s kids “speak” and think digital in ways we never can. Personal digital devices such as iPhones, iPods and other smart phones are increasingly the access point for learning: 72% of US Children ages 13-17 own a mobile device.
So, as a parent, help them optimize their iPhone, iPod or computer for learning. iTunes U offers stellar lectures from top Universities and there are Apple apps from preschool flashcard reading apps to a SAT vocabulary challenge game. Teach them to use tutors online or take college-level classes online not offered by their school—or even consider the benefits of a full-time virtual school.
With budget cuts looming, America’s public schools face bigger hurdles than ever to provide our children—and our nation—with the skills needed to compete in today’s global economy. Virtual learning resources can help meet that challenge. They can also encourage learning outside the classroom and give new value to intelligence and the learning experience
Does Virtual High School Prepare the Student for College?
Virtual high school taps into students’ digital language they have been living with since birth and utilizes it to maximize learning, thus, preparing students well for the rigors of a college education.
Although virtual high school seems like a great option for innovative learning, parents may wonder if virtual school can effectively pave the way to a college or university education. It is important that their high school studies and credits prepare them well for college and beyond. The fact is that through research, choosing the right programs and working the virtual high school experience, students can be more prepared than ever for a college education.
When it comes to choosing the right virtual high school to achieve college preparation, parents must take the initiative and responsibility to research programs to find an online school that helps their students to meet educational goals. Some virtual distance learning programs are designed specifically to prepare for college admission and success, while others are not necessarily college-preparatory-focused.
Most virtual schools receive accreditation through national agencies, which means their coursework is accepted by major universities and colleges. With state virtual learning programs, the student typically receives only course credit, not an actual diploma. However, there are many independent or private virtual schooling programs that grant diplomas.
It is vital to know the program well before signing your child up and committing to it. Interview the virtual high school principal or executive director to ask any questions you may have about the program to ensure you are making the best choice possible for your child. Also use this time of research to determine the structure of the virtual high school program. Identify how the student receives course credit and whether the credit is transferable to other high schools and universities.
Virtual learning comes naturally
Because children are growing up in a digital world it makes sense that online learning is a way to hone in on skills and learning styles they already posses. Rather than being subjected to lectures in class all day long, students of a virtual high school are able to experience the freedom to learn and explore the world through familiar tools: iPods, texts, DVDs, Internet chat rooms and message boards. In both public and private online schools, students enjoy the safety of a secure learning management system (LMS) which allows them total access to courses, faculty and fellow students while protecting them from surfing aimlesslyon the internet.
These students who have never known a non-digital world tend to communicate and learn best when they are utilizing digital devices and computers. Virtual learning taps into this, and provides an education tailored to the digital world, which encourages students to maximize their unique learning styles and methods.
Virtual high school essentially marries the best of virtual and classroom-based schools and programs in an effort to provide an environment that is conducive for learning. There may be no better, more effective way to prepare a student for college than to encourage his or her learning potential in a way that feels comfortable and natural to the student.
Some parents might be afraid that by opting out of traditional schools they compromise their kids’ future academics. They ask if their child can still get a diploma and gain entry into a good college if they attend a virtual school. Absolutely! Most virtual schools are accredited by national agencies. Common agencies include regional agencies such as WASC (Western Association for Schools and Colleges), or national agencies such as NAAS (Northwest Association of Accredited Schools), and CITA (Commission on International Trans-Regional Accreditation). Coursework is accepted by major universities and colleges.. Many state-run virtual providers are supplemental and issue only course credit, not a full program granting a diploma. However, children who complete a curriculum of study in a full-time or part-time diploma-granting school will receive certification in the form of a diploma.
By Elizabeth Kanna and Lisa Gillis with Christina Culver
Discussing the Pros and Cons of High School Online Learning
Choosing high school online learning for your child’s education is an exciting life-changing decision that is unique to each family. It is wise to sit down as a family and discuss the pros and cons as well as costs and potential challenges you may experience along the way.
For some families, choosing high school distance learning for their students is tough decision. Such a transition is much more involved than simply relocating to a different high school, so it makes sense that families want to heavily weigh their options before diving into virtual learning. As you work to make the best decision for your student, take a look at these pros and cons of completing high school courses online.
Pros
The supporters of virtual learning have numerous positive things to report about this style of education. It is literally access to knowledge, educational freedom, electronic communication, flexibility and creativity all in one learning method. Online learning provides a tool to teach students to become self-directed learners—a skill that will last them a lifetime. In fact, whether it is a virtual elementary school, virtual middle school or virtual high school, students receive training in the digital world and become better prepared to live and work successfully in tune with technology.
Many virtual schools offer dual enrollment at the high school level allowing students to earn both high school and college credit. This helps offset the cost of a post-secondary education. In addition, students have access to resources from all around the world and can benefit from innovative school programs in both their local school districts, statewide virtual schools or part time from private programs in other states—programs that the student couldn’t possible access outside of virtual schooling. With the power of many educational institutions and programs at their fingertips, online learners can discover their unique gifts and talents and then run with them.
Cons
The primary challenges that come with virtual learning include more parental involvement, a disciplined attitude and possibly monetary contributions. While there are public virtual school programs that are free, not everyone has access to such programs. Furthermore, some parents discover through research that they prefer more individualized virtual schooling programs offered by private online schools and are fee based. The costs associated with these types of programs include not only the tuition associated with the online program but also costs for supplies, tutors, computers and other materials necessary to complete the online courses.
Parents’ primary roles in virtual school programs are that of an advocate, guidance counselor and leader. While the student will have more freedom to choose courses and methods for learning, he or she will likely still need guidance plotting out the best course of study as well as encouragement to work the program and to maximize learning.
The choice to go with high school online learning is unique to each family. It makes sense to sit down as a family and discuss the pros and cons as well as costs and potential challenges you may experience along the way. Research and effective communication can help you make the best decision possible for your child’s education.
By Elizabeth Kanna and Lisa Gillis with Christina Culver
Will Your Child Excel in High School Classes Online?
By Elizabeth Kanna and Lisa Gillis with Christina Culver
If your child is struggling through school, let us give you hope that there are practical alternatives that can literally turn-around his or her educational performance. Online high school classes, programs and schools provide a type of educational experience that can be molded to fit the unique learning style and personality of your student, often resulting in a more confident child who becomes engaged in learning.
Discouraging parent-teacher conferences, overwhelmed home educators, low scores on report cards and a student who feels like they can’t graduate due to life challenges can all become things of the past thanks to high school classes online. Virtual learning now provides a way for parents’ to engage their children and teenagers through methods they find comforting and familiar, namely, through the digital world.
As more and more parents are searching for new and better tools to improve their children’s education, virtual learning is emerging as a revolutionary method to make school more interesting, accessible and effective for all types of students—particularly those who do not seem to mesh with a traditional classroom environment.
Education is not most effective when it is presented in a one-size-fits-all fashion. The methodology that works for one child may leave another child unchallenged and disengaged. It is for this reason exactly, that an alternative such as virtual schooling exists.
We live in an exciting era in which parents have more choices than ever to ensure a high quality, engaging and preparatory education for their children. Students can now learn through the greatest thinkers in the world and experience the latest educational innovations, not to mention enjoy the flexibility and freedom that virtual distance learning provides.
Virtual schooling is much more than simply logging onto the computer and completing lessons on a website. Through the use of interactive courses as well as recorded lectures from prestigious educators from around the world and even online mentor relationships, students can experience education that takes them far beyond the walls of a typical classroom setting.
Through online learning, students’ unique educational needs are addressed effectively with the help of specialized coursework plans and curriculums that focus on the individual. For example, a student may choose to make the online learning fulltime or supplemental to a traditional school education or they may incorporate it into a home school curriculum. Virtual schooling is the great equalizier – now every child, no matter what their circumstances are, where they live or how much money they possess have the opportunity to enjoy a truly world-class education.
Public Virtual Schools: Knowing Your Options
Conducting a virtual schools comparison is an important first step on the journey to making online learning a primary part of your child’s educational experience. Take a look at these three prominent virtual schools to determine if they might e a good fit for your student’s unique learning style and goals.
After spending time researching online learning, there comes a time when you find yourself ready to begin analyzing specific virtual schools. Insight Schools and Connections Academy are known as leaders in the world of virtual public school. These programs are designed by experts and provide the range from virtual elementary school to virtual high school. You may want to begin your search here to learn about the best schools virtual learning has to offer.
While these three virtual school providers have similar programs, they offer different areas of specialty. For example, Insight delivers only at the high school level, whereas Connections Academy offers K-12 online programs. In order to determine the right program for your child, you will want to carefully review the details of each program while considering your child’s learning style and personality.
Insight Schools
Insight Schools was founded around a core set of ideas that traditional high school is not for every student and that online learning can provide a high quality solution to earning a high school diploma. Insight operates a national network of accredited, diploma-granting, tuition-free online high schools, By providing a winning combination of highly qualified instructors, a comprehensive course catalog, student support services, clubs, proms, graduation ceremonies and learning programs designed to accommodate individual learning styles, life styles and goals, Insight prepares their students to be successful in the 21st century workplace. .
Connections Academy
Connections Academy’s mission is to help each student achieve his or her maximum potential for academic and personal success. They provide a comprehensive and individualized learning experience for students and their families incorporating a high level of teacher interaction; a combination of online and printed textbooks, lesson plans, and materials; and a wide range of electives and activities that supplement the core curriculum. The full-time, tuition-free public school program is offered in many states, as well as a full- and part-time private school available nationwide.
By Elizabeth Kanna and Lisa Gillis with Christina Culver
Why the Time is Now for Online High Schools
Never before have there been so many options for parents to choose the best high school for their child. The explosion of online resources, support systems and digital proficiency has combined to form a 21st century virtual school house prepared to educate your child for the global workforce.
Growing in both influence and popularity, virtual schooling is emerging as a viable method for obtaining a solid college-prep education while expanding educational horizons beyond the four walls of the traditional classroom. In the traditional high school, teachers face unprecedented challenges to meet the needs of all learners in the face of standardized curriculum and with a focus on mandated high stakes testing. An emphasis is placed on reaching the majority of the class (“teaching to the middle”) with little time left over to serve the unique needs of the gifted and remedial learners. Online learning provides an alternative.
An online high school is an accessible tool for any learner at any level, allowing the student to work at his or her own pace. The virtual school model gives students at the top, bottom or middle of the class an equal opportunity to find methods of learning that mesh with their interests, schedules and abilities. Despite the valiant efforts of educators across our nation, discouraging public school statistics reveal there is a need for accessible educational tools that can give students the opportunity to break through the barriers of a one-size-fits-all education.
Due to budget cutbacks, students who have an inclination toward math and science are finding it more and more difficult to enroll in AP courses in the traditional classroom structure. Disturbing studies project that within 5 years more than 80% of scientists in our world will come from Asia. As a world leader in technology development and living in a culture that is dominated by all things digital, we should be seeing more students succeeding in these areas.
Through online high schools, students with interests in math and science can finally obtain the training necessary to compete with the students of other countries. Even traditional school systems are turning to virtual education as a viable solution. Progressive schools are beginning to offer online math and sciences classes as one way to meet the burgeoning need and prepare their students for a future in these fields. Regardless of the traditional school offerings, as a parent, you have the opportunity to enroll your child in online education no matter where you live. The power of choice is yours.
With online high school, study does not have to be restricted to a text book, but can include everything from an interactive virtual classroom to a virtual lab to a lecture from an MIT professor. Furthermore, students can access math and science tutors online who can give them the specialized attention they need to rise to the top of their math or science field of interest.
Whether the student aspires to have a career in math or science or simply wants to receive a quality education in these areas, online high schools offer the 21st century solution to your child’s education.
By Elizabeth Kanna and Lisa Gillis with Christina Culver
How Do Virtual Schools Work?
Virtual schooling is multi-faceted and learning is not limited to just the Internet or computer. Never before have such powerful options existed to take advantage of full time public virtual schools or supplemental, enrichment and fun classes on a course by course basis. From high quality lessons to virtual mentoring and peer group interactions, clubs and opportunities, students taking advantage of virtual schooling receive a well-rounded education.
Although virtual schools are becoming a more popular way to educate children, there are still many misunderstandings about how they work. Virtual school is not just a dressed-up phrase to describe spending all day on the Internet and calling it school. Rather it is a revolutionary educational approach that has the potential to address each individual student where they are, regardless of geography, family income status or life challenges. Virtual school is about creating a customized educational plan, utilizing the best of the academic world—online and offline—to maximize a student’s learning.
Virtual schools are the antithesis of the one-size-fits-all educational style. The virtual schooling philosophy is that each student is an individual with a dominant learning style, a unique learning pace as well as goals and aspirations that are unique to the individual student. Because of this, virtual school takes the student outside of the text book learning and into the world of academia and real-life experience.
While one family may utilize a full-time virtual school, another family may choose to incorporate supplemental and enrichment courses in conjunction with a private or traditional public school education. The choice is entirely up to the parent. Either way, the ultimate goal is to meet the unique educational needs of the student, providing him or her access to great thinkers and excellent academic tools.
There are seven primary approaches or methods within virtual schooling:
• Personalized learning charter school
• Public virtual charter school
• Local school or district program
• Going independent
• Supplemental programs
• Private online high schools
• The best of both worlds: hybrid or blended education
The idea is that parents can find the right combination of methods for the student’s needs, and family’s budget. Even a small dose of virtual learning can add a great measure of value to an otherwise traditional educational experience. For example, a child may take virtual middle school classes that allow him to interact with children from another country, or another student may take virtual high school classes that allow her to learn from an award-winning Ivy League professor.
Even public schools are beginning to offer virtual school experiences for free. The revolutionary learning method is proving that it can be an extremely valuable addition to the traditional classroom.
One beneficial aspect of virtual schools is that they offer the potential for virtual mentors—educational role models who can help to shape your child’s learning program. Instead of filling their minds with the latest escapades of whoever is the current popular cultural icon, children can learn from some of the greatest thinkers, authors, and scientists in history through virtual learning. By listening to a lecture series or watching a DVD seminar, students will begin to see the world differently than their peers whose brains have a steady diet of media junk food.
A virtual school may also incorporate hands-on experiences, such as a virtual math lab, projects, experiments, journal writing or a trip to meet a peer group from an online class to discuss a novel. The idea that virtual schools do not provide enough social interaction is a myth. Because of the individualized academic approach, students are more efficient with their study time and therefore have more time to spend engaged in the community and interacting with not only their same age peers, but those from all age groups. Depending upon the age group, students engage in learning centers, “blended model” classes, supplemental courses offered by the Parks and Rec Dept, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, youth groups, community service projects, volunteerism and even virtual school clubs and activities. The potential for meaningful interactions with peers and leaders is great, which allows the virtual school student to experience a well-rounded education.
Who Pays for Virtual Schools?
Public virtual schools are tuition-free and operate using public funds based on attendance and school enrollment. There are also private virtual schools available, but the tuition and fees are paid by each family. Fees can include course materials, supplemental kits and equipment, and any other costs required to complete the virtual classes, including providing a computer and needed tech supplies. The cost depends entirely on the type and amount of virtual schooling and varies from state to state and even city to city.
Many parents have found that going with a private virtual school is well worth the cost, provides a structured home education designed by expert educators and is often less expensive than enrolling in a traditional site based private school. However, for families on a limited budget, a hybrid of online learning and traditional classroom time may prove to be the best plan for educational enrichment. Fortunately, full-time virtual schools are exploding in popularity offering students a public school, diploma-granting education for free. Unfortunately, not every state currently offers this public education choice. It is truly an exciting time to be a child and even more exciting to be a parent seeking educational options!
Virtual Schooling Success Strategies
How to Help Your Student Succeed with Virtual Schooling
Students taking high school courses online require parental support and involvement to meet educational goals. There are certain steps you can take to ensure your child has a positive virtual learning experience that leads to academic success.
Once you have determined that virtual learning is right for your student, it is important to stay involved and support your child as he or she begins high school courses online. Providing the virtual school program is the first step, but parents must go beyond this first step to ensure their students have the best chance for online learning success.
For starters, your student’s success in the program will be greatly influenced by how much they personally buy-in to the program. They need to feel involved in their educational plan, so they can feel like they “own it.” Use language that gets the student excited about the possibilities of virtual learning. Encourage your child to explore the virtual school websites and, if possible, meet with other families involved in the program.
If you have situation where your child is resistant to the idea of online learning, it is important to allow your child to freely express his or her feelings. Still, as the parent, you are ultimately responsible for making the best decision for your child’s education. Although you cannot force your student to want to do virtual schooling, you can make the experience as positive as possible. Creating a comfortable and positive learning environment will help to make the transition as smooth as possible for your child.
Here are some ideas for making sure your child is given the best possible virtual learning experience:
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Set up a specific area that is for the student’s school work time. Having a dedicated area will help your child stay focused and feel special. Keep it off limits during non-school time so that your child will look forward to it everyday. Make sure that it is well stocked with all the supplies they will need from paper and pencil to the computer, monitor, etc. Some kids love decorating their learning area with certificates from school, pennants, logos, etc. The learning area could be as simple as desk in the corner of a room or an entire office classroom.
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Set realistic goals for success. It is a myth that online schooling is easier than attending a traditional school. In fact, sometimes it can even be harder! But the appealing nature of online courses is what keeps many students interested and engaged. If your child has the impression that virtual schooling is going to be like a vacation, it is a good idea to help them gain a more productive and realistic perspective.
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Leave adequate time to complete lessons. No one knows your child like you do! This includes understanding how much time your child requires to complete her work. One of the brilliant benefits of virtual schooling is allowing your child to progress at their own pace and in their own learning style. As you work with your child, you will discover their areas of strength and weaknesses and be able to adjust the learning scheduled accordingly.
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Plan daily goals. Work side-by-side with your child to set reasonable and attainable daily goals for school work. Rather than keeping goals in vague terms, set specific goals to build a sense of accomplishment in the student. For example, avoid saying, “let’s do school work for two hours.” Instead, set a specific goal: “complete your math lesson by 2 p.m.”
Ultimately, the most important thing you can do to help your child succeed with any educational choice, but especially with online courses is to stay involved. Practice open and regular communication with your student, touching base often about specific goals and even thoughts and feelings about his or her virtual learning experience. When you child knows you are behind her 100%, even the most resistant and unsure virtual learner will begin to gain the confidence necessary to excel.
