Kelly O’Neill
T&L 466.01
November 6, 2007
Are you Ready for Distance Education?

5 pros
1. Move through assignments at own pace.
2. Students can choose a “track” they want to be on whether it is taking AP, college prep or career prep classes. They can also decide to remain “trackless”.
3. Teachers are available through multiple means of communication such as email, phone, or interactive web boards.
4. Students are able to complete work and meet with teachers when it is convenient for them, to allow for the student to be more flexible in having a job or helping out at home.
5. In most cases the students get provided with a personal laptop to complete assignments and conduct research.

5 cons
1. Students do not get the hands on experience with the teacher.
2. Students miss out on social interactions and the high school experience.
3. If students have a question about an assignment they have to wait for the teacher to read their email or read through their messages. The teacher is not always available to help the student at the time of the question.
4. The student misses out on group projects and assignments in class. These skills, such as public speaking and working with peers would be beneficial to them in a future job.
5. There is no check up on the students to make sure they will be getting everything assignment done on time. If students can turn in assignments on their own pace who says they are not leaving it until the very end.

Students much show that they are ready to handle their own education to be able to participate in distance delivery of high school. The students must be able to demonstrate that they have good time management skills and struggling in school.

For me to be able to teach in a virtual school I believe that the student should still need to come into the high school at least once a week to meet with his teachers and interact with students their own age. The students must demonstrate that they are ready for a program like this.