Driving home the other day, I heard an ad on the radio that caught my attention. A teenager and her father were discussing her high school education, and she was touting the benefits of Arizona Virtual Academy...a fully accredited online school. Some of her reasoning seemed solid: personalized instruction, regular phone and IM contact with instructors, daily homework, etc. "It isn't an old correspondence school," was one of her lines.
Intrigued, I looked up the website at home to see more about it...lo and behold: this is a full-on school for ages K-12! The only requirement for enrollment is that the student must live in Arizona to qualify for free tuition.
My first thoughts were, "How Cool!" and "Education is catching up to the technology," even "how convenient for working students." As I put more thought into it, the less I liked it.
I embrace technology and see the benefits that can come from enhancing one's education by utilizing the convenience of online classes, but I can't endorse it as a replacement for the classroom. In my own experience of the past couple of years, online education is decent, but I learn better in a classroom setting. The lessons stick in my mind stronger and I learn more by interacting with not only the instructor, but the other students.
For a child, cutting off a major avenue of social interaction and group dynamics can only be to their detriment. Call me old fashioned, but I hate to think that this kind of school is the wave of the future, except when used to enhance the physical classroom or in special circumstances. School is not just a book and a plan, it is a place and its own community.
The Virtual Academy is interesting and I wish the students success...but I will be sending my children (if I ever have any) to a bricks & mortar school.
Kent Simpson
Specializing in Buyer Representation in the Tucson, Arizona real estate market.
"Never forget - Real Estate Is About People"
Howdy Kent
Will my friend, I must be ol fashioned also. For I would not have wanted my kids, to have going to school online. Thats for sure.
I agree . Kids need the interaction and social skills. They already spend enough time on the computer.
I see this sort of thing as being mostly for the benefit of those who live in extremely remote locations. But grade school by computer? How would I ever have earned the bruises from Red Rover, the face stings from Dodge Ball, and established a few solid crushes?
Hi Kent,
Thanks for commenting on my first blog post, that Mike Jones is a great guy huh? It's nice to read another blog from a fellow Tucson business person. I think you hit the nail on the head with this article about on line education. As a former teacher I agree that so much of education is the social interaction and all the other extra curricular activities that kids should participate in. Keep up the good work and let's do lunch?
Dana Lim / Allstate Insurance
Tucson, AZ
Dale - thanks for being the first to comment!
Gita - in this day and age of computerization and technology, isn't it interesting that we have to make sure that the human factor is remembered?
Chuck - there are definite benefits, like the case you mentioned. Another I can see is for curriculum that isn't supported by numbers in one particular school--now can be offered online. There are other instances also, but Dodge Ball, Red Rover, crushes, even trading lunches are all part of the SOCIAL interactive skills that will go missing with this type of schooling.
Dana - you are so right about Mik. Thanks for the input - with your background as a former teacher, I value your comment. Lunch will work - I'll call you and we'll schedule.
Hey Kent,
You've turned into quite the blogger since the first time I met you! Keep it up...it pays off like you wouldn't even imagine.
Social interaction is extremely important for kids. In my many years of coaching youth sports I've seen pretty dramatic differences between kids who attend the brick house and those who get their education via the electronic highway.
Cheers
Paul Dunn
Arizona USDA Rural Home Loans
Tucson's #1 FHA Loan Originator
Kent,
Drive safely to that conference of yours, learn a lot, and come back recharged!
Mike in Tucson
Paul - nice to see you back here! Thanks for your comment.
Mike - I did, did and did!