Virtual Schooling Transition Proposal

Part 1:
What are some of the challenges students might face when using the methods in
meeting the State of Michigan online learning graduation requirement?
The first challenge that comes to mind without doing any research are the issues Ive
had myself. Sometimes when using an online course system, like Blackboard, there is often a
lot of information and resources. You have to really dig to find what you're looking for. I often find
myself looking back at the syllabus and the calendar if I need to know quickly what the next
assignment coming up is. Sometimes, when using a technology you havent used before, like
blogger, you really have to play around to get the screen you want, view blog, new post, new
blog. Im not sure if Im landing on the correct page but I can see how using the drop down
menu to find create new post would be lost on someone who has little experience.
I created a tutorial on my class website because it was difficult for my students to
remember all the information fields in addition to their username and password. Another issue I
find is using some programs. Students often will spend little time if they dont get what they want
right away, at least smaller kids. When using a Social Studies online program for my class,
again I have to do some digging. The 1st screen will take you to the unit, then to the chapter,
then to each component having media resources, such as primary and secondary sources. I
have assigned usernames and passwords, but the only student to login told me he could not
find the chapter he wanted that we had read earlier in the year. A lot of digging. Additionally, if
you have a science account as well, you have to have a separate login. Thats a lot of
usernames and passwords to remember for a student, especially when they might have 6
different classes. You would need to decide on a universal naming method for all classes if they
are not all using the same program. There are many programs that allow you to share with other
teachers. However, there are several worthy programs that dont allow this sharing, probably
costing them clients with this single feature.

What are some strategies students could use to learn self-management, self-regulation,
self-direction, time management and other soft skills?
This is a difficult one because Ive had several years to learn these as a student. To view some
strategies, I looked at the resource page on the lab.
To manage your time, there are several suggestions given. Having a smartphone makes this a
lot easier. It is suggested that you create a timetable or a wall calendar. You should check
communication often, and set aside time to be available (Owll.massey.ac.nz, 2015). Having a
smartphone makes these tasks easier. Getting emails immediately has never been easier. You
can also schedule assignments or requirements using the calendar or agenda on your phone
and schedule a reminder at any interval you choose. The website also reminds learners to stay
on task, not surfing other sites not related to your study. This can be a difficult directive, to even
the most seasoned learner who has stumbled across a topic that interests them, or a learner
who is heavily into social media as high school aged children often are. It is also suggested that
you should create an appropriate learning environment at home. This might mean creating a
designated area for learning. It should be free of entertainment distractions. It is also suggested
that you takes breaks regularly at scheduled intervals, especially if you are sitting at a desk
(Owll.massey.ac.nz, 2015).

Virtual Schooling Transition Proposal

There are also suggestions on how to read notes and assignments. The website also
recommends printing off large documents rather than straining and reading online. Designate
specific times that you will log on and do coursework. It is also important to take notes often and
be sure to cite your references at the same time, as it can be time-consuming to go back and
find those references. The website also gives suggestions on how to participate and
communicate online. Many courseware systems have logging capabilities which log student
time online. It;s also important to understand that everyone is entitled to their opinion. Just
because you disagree, you should respond the same way you would in person.

What is my school doing to promote/support an online learning environment?

I would not say my school, as an organization is doing a lot to promote an online
learning environment. However, individual teachers are doing a lot. Some teachers use twitter
on a regular basis, others use online learning programs and online resources that log the
students activity and lesson scores. My school does have computers a few days a week, but
they are focusing on typing rather than keyboarding skills, like shortcuts. I think its less
important to type fast than knowing shortcuts and how to manipulate your view so its the best
for you.
Since our school is all elementary, students have limited experience using such tools.
Once you show them, they remember, but I have to stop and not assume anything. For
example, many students did not know how to copy and paste a picture for a slideshow
presentation, which I assumed was a pretty universal skill. Not so. I also remember showing
them how to tab through fields rather than taking the mouse in hand, moving to that field, and
clicking into it to type. I feel like this is a huge timesaver people should know. I also showed
them how to make the screen bigger or smaller by using control + or -. They then show another
kid how to do it, and eventually they all do it similar to the way gossip/ rumors travel. This was
actually a very quick skill I watched someone else do a few years ago and thought, wow, huge
time saver. I feel like kids waste a lot of time moving around the keyboard and screen than
actually inputting their actual work. I only feel this way for certain programs that require a lot of
information to be keyed in, other programs, this not a big deal. They dont realize they dont
need to use the mouse for everything. There are many trial based programs to choose from,
often with free trials. Student feedback should be valued since they are the ones learning it.
Part 2:
Question 1
After exploring the demo course, identify some positive and negative aspects of virtual
schooling and discuss how they would shape your perspective to potentially teach a virtual
school course for your future career.
While there are many positive aspects to virtual or online learning, there are also negative
components to consider as well. Online learning has the potential to really be individualized
using programs that were designed to do so. Another problem with some programs is
personalized and differentiated instruction. The market is full of tools that allow students to

Virtual Schooling Transition Proposal

complete course content online or through various technology-mediated software. The problem
with many of these tools, according to Julie, are that they dont meet content expectations and
they dont provide a real-life person who can supply specific individualized feedback (Barbour,
M. 2009). However, this article was written in 2009, and technology has advanced quickly in a
short amount of time. There are many programs that allow for individualized feedback with new
technologies becoming the latest and best tool for teaching and learning. The program that I use
does allow for personalized feedback in writing only, which is very time consuming. It also gives
positive reinforcement by allowing students to earn game time. However, there are codes
students would need to remember to edit according to the error code, ex: which code is for a
capital again. Therefore, I end of writing sentences at the bottom of the writing so they can edit.
I have not seen a program for math that shows the student where they made a mistake. When a
student is working through the steps to solve a problem, you have to backtrack or watch the
student to see where the mistake is being made. Online, they are given a tutorial and the correct
answer but does not show them where they went wrong. That is where a live person is required,
I have to go through the steps with them and they often just click through the tutorial without
reading it. Going forward, to prepare students with the soft skills needed, I might require
students to turn work in through the website or on cloud based service. I have done this before
using google slides, which also allowed me to check their progress and give them verbal
feedback.

Question 2
Concerning the case studies you reviewed, identify the main issues confronting virtual schools
and their potential solutions. Do you agree with the solutions and why/why not? Make sure to
address each case study separately in your response.
One problem with virtual schooling is giving the students the skills necessary to succeed. Many
students do not have these skills and need to be taught those skills. Schools may need to
integrate a class solely using technology. Here, an instructor is present to assist students with
questions. Another issue I foresee with students is their reluctance to fail at anything. They are
unwilling to take risks and want a play by play, like a recipe, for tackling a project even after
being given a rubric. Trying to solve problems through common sense seems to be a foreign
concept. Possibly this is due to their SES, but I really dont know. Mastering technologies is
really a hands-on learning mode. For this reason, I agree with the scenario given with possible
challenges students face in order to meet the state standards using technology. Student
supports via an instructor are essential. The standards state students need to be college or
career ready by graduation. Most likely students will need soft skills for a job and definitely for
college. Many corporations require additional training through their intranet and a minimum
amount is required. Another challenge students have is learning the character traits needed to
succeed in an online learning environment. As discussed in part one, there are suggestions and
resources available to teach students these traits similar to how an instructor must teach
students how to work in a group. There are many suggestions and practices for teaching
students accountability, self-management, self regulation, and time management.
Although online study offers more choice about when and where you study, it is important to

Virtual Schooling Transition Proposal

remember that self motivation is necessary to succeed. You need to take more responsibility for
your learning (Owll.massey.ac.nz,. 2015).
While there are many more challenges students face in online learning, there are many
positive benefits as well that a traditional classroom doesnt offer. Earning your degree online
is just like earning a degree on a college campus except that you have the flexibility to complete
coursework at a time thats convenient for you, in a flexible format, and from any location with
an Internet connection (Laura Delanoix, M. 2015). Sometimes, students face barriers in
attending traditional schooling. These can range from physical disabilities, gifted students, social
or emotional issues, and at risk students to name a few.
An additional concern not mentioned is the issue of reliable resources for research. Many
students, especially at the elementary level truly believe whatever they see online, especially
youtube. I spent a long time explaining how video can be edited with false information or
images. As Ive stated before, it takes a certain type of learner to succeed in an online learning
environment, but these traits can be taught and students given supplemental support. There
may be several stakeholders involved to ensure success in virtual schooling whether its a parttime block, or full time. planning ranges from understanding what online courses are,
incorporating them into their curriculum, developing policies and procedures, locating quality
courses, identifying best practices and developing student and educator support.
(Web.inghamisd.org,. 2015).

References:
Barbour, M. (2009). Todays Student and Virtual Schooling: The Reality, the Challenges, the Promise.
Journal of Open, Flexible, and Distance Learning, 13(1), 5-25. Distance Education Association of
New Zealand. Retrieved 12 April 2015, from
http://itlab2.coe.wayne.edu/it6230/casestudies/english/english.html
Itlab2.coe.wayne.edu,. (2015). Supporting K-12 Online Learning in Michigan. Retrieved 12 April 2015,
from
http://itlab2.coe.wayne.edu/it6230/michigan/index.html
Laura Delanoix, M. (2015). LouisianaOnline.org. Louisianaonline.org. Retrieved 12 April 2015, from
https://louisianaonline.org/
Owll.massey.ac.nz,. (2015). Online study techniques - OWLL - Massey University. Retrieved
11 April 2015, from http://owll.massey.ac.nz/distance-study/online-study-techniques.php
Web.inghamisd.org,. (2015). Navigating the Land of Online Learning. Retrieved 12 April 2015,
from http://web.inghamisd.org/gettingonline/start.html