Video Blog 2: Susan Patrick: Why online learning is a smart solution
Online learning is not the answer to the education disparity in the United States; relatively, it is a tool that schools can use to educate children. Keeping in mind the variety of learners or climate of the classroom, online learning provides schools with a multitude of professional support. Experienced teachers can teach in an individualize setting and can meet the needs of individual students who struggle during whole class instruction. I do not think that online learning replaces teachers, since teachers are not only informational vessels but emotional and intellectual support for students. Students need teachers who care about them in the classroom, like they need parents at home to instruct them with important cultural values and developmental knowledge which extends beyond cyberspace. I do not think technology replaces teachers nor online teachers replace classroom instructors. On the other hand, online learning, supplements students’ knowledge and expands on what the teacher is teaching.

Oh boy::):) I learned recently that tutors in India will guide and teach kids in the U.K. via the internet. This reminds me of the potential that privately owned PCs possess worldwide. Too often, however, they are downgraded to games and the like while they have the ability to help a student soar through curricula.

I am currently teaching a regular chemistry course and an honors chemistry course at our high school (private school). I record the lessons as Vodcasts (video podcasts) which capture what's on the screen as I write and lecture. I insert video and other enhancements. The beauty of this system is while the students still physically attend class as normal, things are reversed. They watch the Vodcast lessons for homework and then attend class and work on the assignments. I am now a tutor instead of a performer to a board audience. The class is also self paced (with weekly expectations which result in weekly progress grades). The students take tests online using Moodle and must demonstrate a level of mastery before being allowed to move to the next topic (unit). It requires the students to become responsible for their own learning, and I am there to guide them and assist them as needed. The true definition of a teacher/mentor.

This is somewhat similar to online classes in that the material is delivered by online video (Vodcasts). It differs in that I still physically meet with the students. However, I am beginning to experiment using technology such as webinars and online forums, chat rooms, etc to help conduct the "classroom" portion online rather than in the brick and mortar building.

Our district is not ready to go with an online program. It is just too new a concept for them and it will be years before it is recognized for its merit. I would like to create one weeks worth of online or flash drive material that students at the kindergarten level could work on during snow days. It is my hope that a demonstration of this online learning would open minds to the possibilities. Does this sound practical? doable? Where do I begin?

The problem with online classes is that the high school student needs to be self-motivated ,disciplined and have great parental support. Too often though the students who attend trouble schools do not have the skills or the support to succeed. As I see it, this will be a tool for those students who live in the "desirable zip codes".

Susan Patrick made some excellent points about how online classes can provide opportunities for retired teachers in shortage subjects, and enable students in high schools to have access to a wider variety of classes than what their particular local school can provide. Online classes can be used effectively in home schooling, and it can be used by families to avoid or minimize contact with troubled schools.

Bernard Schuster
Arrive2.net