Journal 8

“Virtual Success: Transforming Education Through Online Learning” by Julie Young, Pam Birtolo, and Raven McElman

Using FLVS, an online high school in Florida, as an example, Julie Young, Pam Birtolo and Raven McElman argue that online education is not only innovative but in some ways more successful than the traditional classroom setting. They attribute online student success to flexible schedules, one-on-one teacher interaction and practical applications to core subjects. According to Young, Birtolo and McElman, online learning provides an environment where students can collaborate in groups for projects while working through an individualized curriculum. They cliam online learning is not a “one-size-fits-all” type of education and that a “one-size-fits-all” education is outdated.

Do you think online education at the High School level would benefit all students?

While online education is a great forum for some students, there are some students that may not thrive in this type of environment. I think the students that would benefit most from this type of learning environment are students that have a solid grasp on basic Math, English, Reading and Technology concepts. Successful students in an online atmosphere would also have to be self-motivated and inquisitive by nature. While the flexible schedule of online learning is emphasized in this article, this feature could be a recipe for disaster for a student who is prone to procrastination.

Do the pros of online education at this level outweigh the cons?

Online education, as shown in this article, could be an excellent forum for student learning in some cases. There are many positive elements to online education as presented here but I think the pros and cons of online learning must be addressed on a case by case basis to ensure each student is properly assessed in regards to their success in this type of learning environment.

Journal 7

“Embedding Technology into Core Content Curriculum” by Mark A. Evans

Mark Evans talks about incorporating technology in core content curriculum areas so that students can simultaneously learn the base curriculum and technological skills. He specifically writes about the Klein Independent School District in Texas and the effectiveness of their integration of technology in core content curriculum. Evans also points out the fact that using technology in everyday class projects and assignments is helpful to the teacher as well as the student because the teacher’s attention is not divided between two areas of study (technology and Math, for example).

How does incorporating technology in core content curriculum help the student?

With technology incorporated in lessons across different subject areas, students can process the core curriculum information while also practicing their technological skills. Also, through the use of computers (the primary technological tool in the classroom today), students are learning the logic of the computer. With this knowledge, students can learn to work their way out of not only technological glitches and problems but also everyday obstacles to many tasks. The logic of the computer carries over into real-life subject matter. Also, by using technology in core content curriculum, students are practicing skills that might otherwise be forgotten if they were exclusively used in a technology class.

Is the use of technology in core content curriculum effective?

I think it is. While teachers clearly have to set some time aside in the beginning to teach basic technological skills, once the students have this basic knowledge down they can use their skills across many areas of study.