Imagine getting your high school diploma without ever having to sit in a classroom. Imagine never meeting with your teacher in person like in the typical high school or home-school setting. Now imagine working at your own pace every day and waking up and eating whenever and whatever you wanted. It is hard to imagine an optimal environment where these characteristics could co-exist, but thanks to new online schools- it can!
When Beth Day ‘came to our classroom’ to speak about online schooling I was extremely hesitant. My thoughts consisted of doubt and unbelief. Beth Day answered every question that I had in my mind during her presentation, and I am thankful that we got to hear from her. Personally, I didn’t understand how classroom needs could be met in an online school, or how the classroom could possibly work successfully. After hearing her presentation I could fathom how these things could be done.
I think the positive aspects of Beth’s presentation exceeded my pre-judgments of what her classroom and job would look like. The fact that she is able to have a teaching job, and have young kids at home was very encouraging to me. My desire is to be a stay at home mom, but I also want to teach. I think this provides a great alternative to do both!
Though I appreciated Beth’s presentation I found fault with the system Ecot provides. I think that it is a crucial part of a child’s education to be immersed within a classroom to better their social skills. It is so important for children and teenagers to participate in a classroom setting, and not simply sit at their computers all day by themselves. I understand the benefits of working at your own pace and developing a good worth ethic, but it seems to me that being in a traditional school setting would be the most ideal and beneficial environment for most students in their education careers.
I completely agree with your hesitations to the online school. I too had those same wonders when she brought up the idea of doing all of your education online. How can that be a good environment for students to keep up with the outside world apart from school? I do not know if that question will ever be answered but i am glad you brought up questions like it. You are very right that the traditional school setting is the most ideal and beneficial but not always possible for some people. Good ideas on her talk to our class.
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