The Virtual Classroom: Online LearningVirtual schools make available a world of new courses -- from obscure electives to Advanced Placement classes -- that challenge students intellectually and open up new doors educationally. More to this story.
Virtual schools make available a world of new courses -- from obscure electives to Advanced Placement classes -- that challenge students intellectually and open up new doors educationally. More to this story.
Download |
Credits |
Release Date: 3/23/2005
Video Credits
Produced, Written, and Directed by
- Ken Ellis
Associate Producers:
- Roberta Furger
- Miwa Yokoyama
Editors:
- Blair Gershkow
- Karen Sutherland
Camera Crew:
- Charlie Collias
- Ken Ellis
- Michael Mulvey
- Jeremy Settles
- Velocity Films
- Rob Weller
- Miwa Yokoyama
Narrators:
- Susan Blake
- Kris Welch
- © 2005
- The George Lucas Educational Foundation
- All rights reserved.
Close window
This video is available as a free download from iTunes U. Download video
If you do not have iTunes on your computer, download iTunes here.
Downloaded videos are designed to play on computers and PDAs and are most appropriate for personal or small group viewing. For best quality or for large-screen presentations, this video is also available for purchase.
Comments (23)
Comment RSSSign in or register to post comments
As I junior in high school, I
As I junior in high school, I am preparing to take the SAT test. I am in an experiential education program, so I have a very unusual schedule that doesn't leave much time for after school activities. I need test prep, but I don’t have the time to do a class to help me get ready for the exam.
I finally decided on a “virtual classroom prep course” because it was flexible with my schedule. I was apprehensive at first because I have never been taught this way. I am not very tech savvy and I was worried I would not get my questions answered in this format.
I was definitely wrong. The class has been great test prep and it has opened my eyes to virtual learning. I think if students commit their time and focus and keep from getting distracted on the computer, this style of learning can be a very helpful way for student's to take a class or understand a concept.
My course had "virtual whiteboard" where the instructor can sketch and work out math problems, a video chat box where you can physically see and hear you instructor, and a chat box for students to ask questions. These were all helpful tools that made my learning possible.
Although I don’t believe students should be solely taught using technology, I think there is a place for this method of teaching in the education system. I think we will see more of this in the future. This video is very helpful and relevant!
Online Learning has changed dramatically!
Hi Michelle --
You're so right when you say "If we don't change with technology, we will lost students." This video was actually produced in 2005, so you can imagine how the technology has evolved since then. Lasy tear, we produced a comprehensive package on "The Digital Generation." It has over 15 student profiles (outlining how they specifically interact with technology), plus downloads and resources to help you get started to engage this "digital generation" in your classroom.
After watching this video, it really made me think about how learning has changed so much since I was in school. If we don't change with technology, we will lose a lot a students unable to reach them. Online learning is way more interactive than classroom lecture, keeping the student more actively engaged. The student doesn't have the option to disappear in the back of the classroom doodling in his notebook, or texting his girlfriend.
After watching this video, it
After watching this video, it really made me think about how learning has changed so much since I was in school. If we don't change with technology, we will lose a lot a students unable to reach them. Online learning is way more interactive than classroom lecture, keeping the student more actively engaged. The student doesn't have the option to disappear in the back of the classroom doodling in his notebook, or texting his girlfriend.
Michele Savoia
I really loved the video, because it shows how we as educators need to keep up with technology of the new learners today. It was like I was watching parts of my own children, and how they learn so differently than I do. This is more interactive than just a student passively listening to a class lecture in the back of a classroom doodling in his notebook. Online education engages students in a whole new way.
VS has great advantages but I
VS has great advantages but I also think students should get a solid base of classes in the classroom during high school for social growth...
Virtual Classroom
Sarah.
I a full time elementary school teacher and after 13 year I took the initiative to go back to school. I am taking online classes something that never cross my mind and it is just incredible. I love to be at home after school doing my homework, taking care of my family and learning to stay connected.It was hard at the beginning to stay organize. I am communicating more with other professionals than in my own school. It takes maturity and experience to be self-taught learner.
Thanks for your input and ecouragement.
Luz Herrera
Walden Student
4th Grade
Houston, Texas.
Music courses
I am working on a research project for my PhD that will be focusing on teaching music in a virtual school. I would be interested in hearing from teachers or administrators that have a music course (performing or nonperforming). You may contact me directly at ldniels@gmail.com
Thank you.
This video was insightful. It
This video was insightful. It gave an overview of many online subjects that are being taught. I was pleased to see that music was included since I am a face-to-face music instructor looking to teach an online music course. I use technology in my face-to-face class too. Thanks for sharing this information.
Mentoring on line Students
I agree with you. Students can learn a lot fast on line and finish lot of courses fast and become very responsible working with highly qualified teachers.
My name is Purva and I work with MD State Department of Education and our Goal is to educate every student professionally. My Goal is to do Mentoring and give the best tools on line.
High School - Virtual Learning
I am an Educational Consultant and I work for a company that produces online learning systems. Most of you would refer to me as a "trainer". I deliver staff development to high school teachers on these digital products. I have seen many schools use these products as a way to move students through the system and as you have stated, not deal with the everyday hassels of the classroom teacher. However, I can honestly say that for the most part, the students who have failed their course(s) have done so because their level of reading and math is so poor that they cannot function in a traditional classroom. These online learning systems have intense programs for remediation and we encourage the teachers and administrators to do their students a favor by offering them coursework to strengthen these skills before placing them into the courses for credit recovery. We also suggest that the students should be accountable for their learning, that they be required to keep a notebook for each subject and that this is graded weekly. Additionally, we encourage teachers to supplement the online work with offline assignments, and group projects because we are not here to "fill a vessel" but to teach students how to learn and grow in many different areas. We suggest the use of student contracts and attendance requirements. Students can work at home, but must also attend class 5 days a week and take all of their tests in school. What we have found is that when these online courses are implemented well, and students are not working in a bubble, they can return to the classroom much better prepared to work within that environment. For many students, the success they see with online learning is the first academic success they have had. We build upon their success and cycle them back into the high school program if at all possible.
The best part of all of this, aside from saving these students from dropping out, is that many of them go on to higher education, and they have credited their experience with online learning in helping them to succeed. They have built up their self esteem, they learn that they can succeed at something if they really try, and they develop the self-discipine necessary to succeed beyond high school.
If your school is having difficulty with their Virtual School it is probably time to reassess the protocols of their program and make some adjustments. I can tell you from experience that we have had very successful implemenations in large urban school districts where the district has put strong implementation practices into place. It might be time to speak with your Educational Consultant and discuss your implementation. You may get some great instight into improving your program. Good luck!