I have been a college student for exactly 7 weeks now. As an "expert" on virtual schooling, I thought I'd start commenting on the college level as well.
A little bit of history: Many years ago (1995?) someone came up with the brilliant idea of using this new phenomenon (the internet) to help educate computer nerds. The online curriculum was begun. Within a very few years, many companies began to try to sell computer based training. These mainly focused on A+ certification (how to fix a computer) networking and proprietary software (Oracle, Microsoft, Red Hat etc) Some of these programs were very very good, some were scams to separate the unsuspecting person from their money. Years past and the programs offered grew exponentially. By 2001 there were full colleges online and just about any technical training could be found there. But, because of the wild west attitudes that pervaded the industry in the early years, skepticism of the media abounded. (the is why to this very day, the US Armed Services does not recognize virtual schooling in any form)
There are many programs now available for online college classes. Kaplan and University of Phoenix are two biggies. These programs have a long history (well, in context it's long.... maybe ten years) of decent course ware taught by decent instructors. I have no direct experience with either program. I do know, as a former human resources employee, the sight of these two on a resume was neither a big plus or a big minus. It will get your toe into the door - but it won't cause the door to open. But, these companies, and many others, made a LOT of money in the early 2000's. And, struggling Universities saw that this was a way to increase revenue. MIT began putting ALL of it's course ware online in 2004. (You only get credit if you pay for the class) Stanford began offering online high school classes (more on this topic another time) Big names gave credibility to the idea of college online.
Today, you can take classes from the University of Wisconsin and it is entirely online. It has the same name that goes on the resume, same impact for human resources. But, it has the convenience (and difficulties) of being entirely online. They only offer an associates degree, but they will guarantee that all credits received will be transferable within the UW system.
I have been a UW Colleges student for 7 weeks now. I am taking my midterms this week. (wish me luck) Some of the coursework has been pretty good. My psychology class is very effective. The teacher is readily available. There is a focus on making students participate in class discussions. The course takes advantage of the myriad of material online that is available to enrich the learning. My math class is not so good. The material is written by someone who apparently understood math, but not English. There are lots of practice problems that a person can do, but unless you buy both the student and the teachers text, you don't have all of the answers. The teachers (there are two of them, they swap in and out throughout the semester) are not the fastest at answering questions. (48 hours or so)
I have four courses that I am taking. Two are really quite good, two are not. That seems to be the downfall of all virtual schooling. Some people just don't get it. They know how traditional classrooms function. They know how to teach one on one or in a large lecture hall. But, they don't understand the differences and subtleties of online schools.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Perks of Virtual school
My house, like most of yours, is occasionally busy, chaotic and disorganized. While none of us likes to live in that moment, life does have a way of creeping up on us and messing with the best of plans. Almost a year ago, I fell and broke a vertebra in my back. Fortunately, it was treated quickly and effectively and I am on my way to a full recovery. But, during the last twelve months, I have been unable to do many of the things that I used to do for my family. Virtual schooling has helped my family get through this.
The flexibility of time is one of the best assets of virtual schooling. My children have elluminate classes that they attend, but outside of those few hours a week, they are free to schedule their schoolwork as it fits into the rest of life. Because of this, my daughter can drive me to therapy. I don't need to depend on a neighbor, or ask my husband to take time off of work. We have managed to avoid paying for in home care for me throughout this time. Because of this flexibility, my children are available to help with shopping and dinner plans. And, as I have recovered, my daughters have been available to help neighbors, to volunteer at church, to watch school aged children who were out of school unexpectedly last week.
Life happens, and this week, my dryer has decided to die. If my children had to attend a traditional school, I would have been forced to find a way to get the laundry to the laundromat while we wait for the repair service. The challenge of lifting heavy laundry in and out of a car is just too much for me at the moment. But, because they aren't at a traditional school, they can wear their pajamas "to class". No one will tease them if they are wearing an out of style fashion. Plus, they have the time to hang clothes on the line to dry. None of this would be possible if we were out of the house for 8 hours each day.
Lunches are another perk. I have never had to buy a school lunch. I don't even have to plan for sandwiches, plastic utensils etc. for them to take their own lunch. There are leftovers from last night that can be reheated in the microwave. And, if all else fails, a frozen pizza can be popped into the oven. These are options a "normal" school aged child doesn't have.
I strongly believe that virtual schooling is not for every family. There are drawbacks. But, for me and my family, the perks are too good to pass up. What perks have you seen in your family?
The flexibility of time is one of the best assets of virtual schooling. My children have elluminate classes that they attend, but outside of those few hours a week, they are free to schedule their schoolwork as it fits into the rest of life. Because of this, my daughter can drive me to therapy. I don't need to depend on a neighbor, or ask my husband to take time off of work. We have managed to avoid paying for in home care for me throughout this time. Because of this flexibility, my children are available to help with shopping and dinner plans. And, as I have recovered, my daughters have been available to help neighbors, to volunteer at church, to watch school aged children who were out of school unexpectedly last week.
Life happens, and this week, my dryer has decided to die. If my children had to attend a traditional school, I would have been forced to find a way to get the laundry to the laundromat while we wait for the repair service. The challenge of lifting heavy laundry in and out of a car is just too much for me at the moment. But, because they aren't at a traditional school, they can wear their pajamas "to class". No one will tease them if they are wearing an out of style fashion. Plus, they have the time to hang clothes on the line to dry. None of this would be possible if we were out of the house for 8 hours each day.
Lunches are another perk. I have never had to buy a school lunch. I don't even have to plan for sandwiches, plastic utensils etc. for them to take their own lunch. There are leftovers from last night that can be reheated in the microwave. And, if all else fails, a frozen pizza can be popped into the oven. These are options a "normal" school aged child doesn't have.
I strongly believe that virtual schooling is not for every family. There are drawbacks. But, for me and my family, the perks are too good to pass up. What perks have you seen in your family?
Friday, February 25, 2011
Last day
Today is the last day to submit the Open Enrollment form to the DPI. Even if you are not sure that you want to try Virtual schooling, you should submit the form. If you turn in the form, you are not obligated to enroll in any school. If you do not turn in the form, you cannot enroll in any school outside of your district (unless you are already enrolled in another school)
Yes, there will be a waiting list for virtual schools. But, you can't get on the list, unless you fill out the form today. I know, it's six months before the next school year. I'm just looking forward to my tulips coming up. But, the government doesn't lead a normal life. They want their form today. Don't forget to give it to them.
Yes, there will be a waiting list for virtual schools. But, you can't get on the list, unless you fill out the form today. I know, it's six months before the next school year. I'm just looking forward to my tulips coming up. But, the government doesn't lead a normal life. They want their form today. Don't forget to give it to them.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
State Testing and Virutal Schools
The question was posed recently, does this virtual school, or that one have the kids take the state standardized tests. I've heard the question before, so I thought I'd address it here.
All public schools in the state of Wisconsin require the students participate in State testing. That is part of being a public school. (9th, 11th and 12th graders are not tested. I have no knowledge if 1st and 2nd graders are tested). But, everyone else must be tested. Failure to have at least 95% of the students in a particular school take the test two years in a row will cause a school to be "put on probation" If the school does not get 95% of the students taking the test, the Department of Public Instruction can take away the schools funding. (Section (I) - part of No Child Left Behind Act)
If you want to avoid having your child tested by the state, do not enroll in a public school. As we've all heard, nothing in this life is free. Driving my children to the testing location is part of what I pay to keep my school open and free. (following the other rules of the school like submitting papers on time, attending elluminates etc., those are the other part of the "pay")
All virtual schools handle state testing pretty much the same way. They all pick locations around the state. They all try to make testing as comfortable as possible. It's always around the same time every year, late October or early November. Some schools are more regimented about the actual test. Others, if the proctor sees that everyone is done with part A, they won't wait the entire time before going on to part B. That is more the choice of the proctor than the school. I've seen it go both ways. The tests can be scheduled for two days (if the child is in 4th or 8th grade, when the testing is more encompassing.) I've heard of schools that even arranged those to be done in one day to avoid a longer commute.
Personally, I think the schools should all be a bit more flexible in how they deal with testing. Parents do have to drive their children to the testing site. Most families have multiple children, not all of them in a virtual school. This could mean child care costs or other issues. Yes, the state requires the proctors of the exam to hold a valid teachers license. But, really,would it be so very difficult to pay a substitute teacher (or 2 or 3) for two weeks? That substitute could proctor exams in multiple locations around the state. One teacher could proctor exams in 10 additional locations. (5 days times 2 weeks) That alone would make a huge impact on parents ability to get their child to the location.
Insight schools uses (or used, it's been two years since I've had a student at Insight require standardized testing) their iMentors to proctor exams. This gives them a few more testing location options for students.
All public schools in the state of Wisconsin require the students participate in State testing. That is part of being a public school. (9th, 11th and 12th graders are not tested. I have no knowledge if 1st and 2nd graders are tested). But, everyone else must be tested. Failure to have at least 95% of the students in a particular school take the test two years in a row will cause a school to be "put on probation" If the school does not get 95% of the students taking the test, the Department of Public Instruction can take away the schools funding. (Section (I) - part of No Child Left Behind Act)
If you want to avoid having your child tested by the state, do not enroll in a public school. As we've all heard, nothing in this life is free. Driving my children to the testing location is part of what I pay to keep my school open and free. (following the other rules of the school like submitting papers on time, attending elluminates etc., those are the other part of the "pay")
All virtual schools handle state testing pretty much the same way. They all pick locations around the state. They all try to make testing as comfortable as possible. It's always around the same time every year, late October or early November. Some schools are more regimented about the actual test. Others, if the proctor sees that everyone is done with part A, they won't wait the entire time before going on to part B. That is more the choice of the proctor than the school. I've seen it go both ways. The tests can be scheduled for two days (if the child is in 4th or 8th grade, when the testing is more encompassing.) I've heard of schools that even arranged those to be done in one day to avoid a longer commute.
Personally, I think the schools should all be a bit more flexible in how they deal with testing. Parents do have to drive their children to the testing site. Most families have multiple children, not all of them in a virtual school. This could mean child care costs or other issues. Yes, the state requires the proctors of the exam to hold a valid teachers license. But, really,would it be so very difficult to pay a substitute teacher (or 2 or 3) for two weeks? That substitute could proctor exams in multiple locations around the state. One teacher could proctor exams in 10 additional locations. (5 days times 2 weeks) That alone would make a huge impact on parents ability to get their child to the location.
Insight schools uses (or used, it's been two years since I've had a student at Insight require standardized testing) their iMentors to proctor exams. This gives them a few more testing location options for students.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Information on iQ Academy
From our friend, Veronica Streetz,
I have a Senior in IQ Academy. He has been with IQ for all four years of High School. K12 buying IQ has had no visible effects on the school from a parent or student perspective. The students do receive textbooks for classes but not every class. Right now he has books for Economics, Psychology and Chemistry. The teachers hold weekly elluminate session where they teach the material that week. They are also recorded and posted within each class. We love his math teacher with a pause button. lol The kids also have online lessons to read and then assignments. The assignments are either multi-guess (as I call it) and gets graded right away by the computer. Sometimes there are essay questions where my son does the essay and then cuts and pastes into the quiz or exam. Sometimes work is scanned in and attached to a email or dropped in the teachers "digital dropbox." Scanning is rare. Teachers used to be part-time at IQ and then work also in the local schools but that changed. Now the teacher's just do IQ. His Algebra 2 teacher will meet with students throughout the state at different locations. He does receive a "pace chart" for each class that lays out everything for the entire semester. He can work ahead if he wants. The only true deadline where any missed work turns into a zero is at the end of the semester. If provides wonderful flexibility and a opportunity to learn a lesson from stress and cramming. lol If your kid likes everything to be laid out for him and likes things to be routine and pretty much the same then IQ would provide that for him. 1. Look at the pace chart 2. read the required textbook with the quiz in hand to locate the correct answers 3. attend elluminate to listen to the teacher explain material. That's it. They can also print out exams and fill those in along the way. The essays is where the deeper understanding is assessed. With math we don't even bother looking at the lessons on-line. We listen to the recorded elluminate take our notes and do the problems along the way. Completely teacher lead. If you go to elluminate you get the material as simple as that. Math also has extra "help sessions" in elluminate. Teachers are also totally available via e-mail.
I have a Senior in IQ Academy. He has been with IQ for all four years of High School. K12 buying IQ has had no visible effects on the school from a parent or student perspective. The students do receive textbooks for classes but not every class. Right now he has books for Economics, Psychology and Chemistry. The teachers hold weekly elluminate session where they teach the material that week. They are also recorded and posted within each class. We love his math teacher with a pause button. lol The kids also have online lessons to read and then assignments. The assignments are either multi-guess (as I call it) and gets graded right away by the computer. Sometimes there are essay questions where my son does the essay and then cuts and pastes into the quiz or exam. Sometimes work is scanned in and attached to a email or dropped in the teachers "digital dropbox." Scanning is rare. Teachers used to be part-time at IQ and then work also in the local schools but that changed. Now the teacher's just do IQ. His Algebra 2 teacher will meet with students throughout the state at different locations. He does receive a "pace chart" for each class that lays out everything for the entire semester. He can work ahead if he wants. The only true deadline where any missed work turns into a zero is at the end of the semester. If provides wonderful flexibility and a opportunity to learn a lesson from stress and cramming. lol If your kid likes everything to be laid out for him and likes things to be routine and pretty much the same then IQ would provide that for him. 1. Look at the pace chart 2. read the required textbook with the quiz in hand to locate the correct answers 3. attend elluminate to listen to the teacher explain material. That's it. They can also print out exams and fill those in along the way. The essays is where the deeper understanding is assessed. With math we don't even bother looking at the lessons on-line. We listen to the recorded elluminate take our notes and do the problems along the way. Completely teacher lead. If you go to elluminate you get the material as simple as that. Math also has extra "help sessions" in elluminate. Teachers are also totally available via e-mail.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Madison
I've been following the news out of Madison pretty closely over the past week. It's been really hard to get an unbiased report of what is happening. I've actually turned to reading the U.K. version of the story in an attempt to avoid the rhetoric. The Guardian actually did do a good job of giving facts, regardless of what you think of his conclusion in the last paragraph. (conservatives will disagree with his conclusion; liberals will agree)
But, what does all of this have to do with us? Virtual Schools are public schools. Our teachers are affected by this in the same way the teachers in Madison are affected. The only difference is my children have not lost a single day of schooling because of the protests. Their schooling continues regardless of snow, or protests. The assignments might not be graded this week, but that's ok. My students progress will continue.
My children have not been told what to believe on this issue. We have read the bill itself. We have been able to have some really good debates around the kitchen table as to the scope of the bill, the language of the bill and the impact of the bill. We don't agree with each other, but we have enjoyed the conversation. That is the advantage of virtual schooling.
But, what does all of this have to do with us? Virtual Schools are public schools. Our teachers are affected by this in the same way the teachers in Madison are affected. The only difference is my children have not lost a single day of schooling because of the protests. Their schooling continues regardless of snow, or protests. The assignments might not be graded this week, but that's ok. My students progress will continue.
My children have not been told what to believe on this issue. We have read the bill itself. We have been able to have some really good debates around the kitchen table as to the scope of the bill, the language of the bill and the impact of the bill. We don't agree with each other, but we have enjoyed the conversation. That is the advantage of virtual schooling.
Friday, February 18, 2011
An Insight Parent
As I said at the beginning, I want this blog to be a forum for parents of virtual students. I want it to be a place of information, not publicity. I have been contacted by an Insight parent. This is her story.
I saw the blog that spoke on the different virtual online schools and I would like to make a comment on Insight in particular. We have a daughter who is a sophomore at Insight and she was also using Insight last year for 9th grade as well. I have to say that last year was GREAT!....really, really GREAT! The teachers actually worked with the parents and the students. Whenever I questioned the materials being used (ie., dark, morbid poems in English.....or morally unacceptable reading materials in History) the teachers bent over backward to provide an acceptable alternative. This year is the polar opposite. I have to preface this year's experience with this fact, however.....Insight was BOUGHT OUT by another company. OK, so this year for 10th grade, we have a teacher who locks her "classroom" down in the first 5 minutes of class and there are NO EXCEPTIONS. If you are not there (even for tech issues with a tech support ticket number), you MUST watch the recording and email the teacher with a phrase embedded on each slide or answer a question from each slide. There is no hope of catching the teacher on IM, calling the principal, calling the counselor...NOTHING. The teacher-proposed solution to this is to log into class 2 hours BEFORE class. This way, if the computer "kicks you out" you can still log into class. Biology teaches evolution in the 10th grade. We were told that it was only for 2 units, but it is entrenched throughout the year. Evolution is presented as THE ONLY WAY/FACT. If you do not go along with phrasing your answers as such, you will receive a "0" on your assignments (this DID happen to our child). You do not receive your class schedule for online required attendance classes for the first two weeks of the semester and even then, it is still up for change per the teacher's choice. Full credit courses will change their day/time of class with the change of semester. So if you had an activity planned for first semester at 2pm on Wednesdays for semester one, don't count on being able to do it for semester 2. I understand this as typical for a 1/2 credit or one semester course....but for a course like English, Math or Science that goes the entire year? Insight School's TV commercials boast flexibility. NOT TRUE. If you are not at class, you still MUST watch the recording, whether you need it or not, in order to submit to your teacher the "special phrase" for credit. If you do not attend class, your grade WILL GO DOWN. Attendance points are built into the curriculum. The teachers have FREE REIGN on grading. Our child is in a science course which clearly lines out an objective sheet for each assignment. Our child will turn in the assignment making sure to address each point on the objective list. On first submission, the teacher grades the paper at 50% (no matter what your actual grade should be). Then the teacher decides on completely random "extra paragraphs" that our child must add in order to receive another grade. For example, our child was asked in an assignment to critique two different articles on oil eating bacteria. She received a 50% on first submission. The additional requirements after first submission were, "to write a paragraph about a fictitional scenario regarding the extreme of overabundance of oil eating bacteria....like Star Wars and the overuse of clonning (this was the teacher's wording)." Our student was also told for a previous assignment in this same class that if she couldn't figure out where to "fit this extra paragraph in, just stick it wherever." This causes the student to worry about completing assignments because there is always one that they may have to redo and there is no possibility of doing it "right" on the first submission.
I have to admit, I was really thinking that the above examples were just unique to our child as of this year, but in reality, there are many, many students that speak of the negative changes noticed as of the beginning of this school year. This is noticed in the chat at the side of the classroom. It all seems to boil down to the change in ownership of the school.
I appreciate you allowing me to give a current factual experience with regard to Insight Schools. Incidentally, our child is a straight A student and takes honors courses as well, so this is not coming from a disgruntled parent of a failing student.
Parent of Insight School Student
(edit-I want to add one note, I believe the reference she makes to Insight being sold is the leaving of executive director Jeff Bush. To the best of my knowledge, the corporation based in Washington was not sold during the 2009/10 school year.)
I saw the blog that spoke on the different virtual online schools and I would like to make a comment on Insight in particular. We have a daughter who is a sophomore at Insight and she was also using Insight last year for 9th grade as well. I have to say that last year was GREAT!....really, really GREAT! The teachers actually worked with the parents and the students. Whenever I questioned the materials being used (ie., dark, morbid poems in English.....or morally unacceptable reading materials in History) the teachers bent over backward to provide an acceptable alternative. This year is the polar opposite. I have to preface this year's experience with this fact, however.....Insight was BOUGHT OUT by another company. OK, so this year for 10th grade, we have a teacher who locks her "classroom" down in the first 5 minutes of class and there are NO EXCEPTIONS. If you are not there (even for tech issues with a tech support ticket number), you MUST watch the recording and email the teacher with a phrase embedded on each slide or answer a question from each slide. There is no hope of catching the teacher on IM, calling the principal, calling the counselor...NOTHING. The teacher-proposed solution to this is to log into class 2 hours BEFORE class. This way, if the computer "kicks you out" you can still log into class. Biology teaches evolution in the 10th grade. We were told that it was only for 2 units, but it is entrenched throughout the year. Evolution is presented as THE ONLY WAY/FACT. If you do not go along with phrasing your answers as such, you will receive a "0" on your assignments (this DID happen to our child). You do not receive your class schedule for online required attendance classes for the first two weeks of the semester and even then, it is still up for change per the teacher's choice. Full credit courses will change their day/time of class with the change of semester. So if you had an activity planned for first semester at 2pm on Wednesdays for semester one, don't count on being able to do it for semester 2. I understand this as typical for a 1/2 credit or one semester course....but for a course like English, Math or Science that goes the entire year? Insight School's TV commercials boast flexibility. NOT TRUE. If you are not at class, you still MUST watch the recording, whether you need it or not, in order to submit to your teacher the "special phrase" for credit. If you do not attend class, your grade WILL GO DOWN. Attendance points are built into the curriculum. The teachers have FREE REIGN on grading. Our child is in a science course which clearly lines out an objective sheet for each assignment. Our child will turn in the assignment making sure to address each point on the objective list. On first submission, the teacher grades the paper at 50% (no matter what your actual grade should be). Then the teacher decides on completely random "extra paragraphs" that our child must add in order to receive another grade. For example, our child was asked in an assignment to critique two different articles on oil eating bacteria. She received a 50% on first submission. The additional requirements after first submission were, "to write a paragraph about a fictitional scenario regarding the extreme of overabundance of oil eating bacteria....like Star Wars and the overuse of clonning (this was the teacher's wording)." Our student was also told for a previous assignment in this same class that if she couldn't figure out where to "fit this extra paragraph in, just stick it wherever." This causes the student to worry about completing assignments because there is always one that they may have to redo and there is no possibility of doing it "right" on the first submission.
I have to admit, I was really thinking that the above examples were just unique to our child as of this year, but in reality, there are many, many students that speak of the negative changes noticed as of the beginning of this school year. This is noticed in the chat at the side of the classroom. It all seems to boil down to the change in ownership of the school.
I appreciate you allowing me to give a current factual experience with regard to Insight Schools. Incidentally, our child is a straight A student and takes honors courses as well, so this is not coming from a disgruntled parent of a failing student.
Parent of Insight School Student
(edit-I want to add one note, I believe the reference she makes to Insight being sold is the leaving of executive director Jeff Bush. To the best of my knowledge, the corporation based in Washington was not sold during the 2009/10 school year.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)