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Virtual Reality Diane Lewis School

Virtual School Reality

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Page 1: Virtual School Reality

Virtual Reality

Diane Lewis

School

Page 2: Virtual School Reality

SCVS

Page 3: Virtual School Reality

Poll

• How many of you have or are considering starting a virtual school option in your district within the next two years?(http://www.polleverywhere.com/multiple_choice_polls/MTYxNjU1NjQzMA)

• Text answer to: 22333

• For YES, put 409215 in the message

• For NO, put 409216 in the message

Page 4: Virtual School Reality

A Time of Choice

Charter

Private

Home

Page 5: Virtual School Reality

Reality

You will be competing for students.

Page 6: Virtual School Reality

Myths

NoVirtual School

!

Page 7: Virtual School Reality

Reality

Virtual school isn’t just coming –

it’s here.

Page 8: Virtual School Reality

Myth: Virtual School Is Not As Good As Traditional School

Reality: Virtual school is what YOU make it.

• Your virtual school should:– Be operated by your district– Use local teachers– Have local control – Use good quality curriculum– Be a source of pride for your district

Page 9: Virtual School Reality

Myth: We can’t afford to start a virtual school.

Reality: You can’t afford not to.

Reality: Virtual school is easily a break-even or even positive financial venture if managed properly.

• Initial investments:– Staff– Office space – Eventually other spaces will be needed– Marketing– Start up funding (our funding is realized at the end of the

year.)

Page 10: Virtual School Reality

Myth: Students Don’t Need Virtual School

Reality: Virtual School is an important option for today’s students

• Not all students fit the mold of 4 walls and a clock

• FL requires 1 virtual course to graduate• Much of the post-K12 education will be virtual

Page 11: Virtual School Reality

Myth: Students Don’t Need Virtual School

Reality: Virtual School is an important option for today’s students

• Many of our students are able to take courses they otherwise would not– AP courses– Core subjects (Class size or choice)– Electives

• Chinese, French, Spanish• Middle School electives• Game Design, Digital Photo

Page 12: Virtual School Reality

Myth: Virtual School is Only for “Certain” Students

Reality: Virtual school is not for all students, but it is for all types of students.

• Elementary, Middle and High School• Advanced• Struggling• ESE• Gifted• Athletes/Performers• Average students• Alternative Education

Page 13: Virtual School Reality

Myth: Virtual School is Only for “Certain” Students

Reality: Virtual school is not for all students, but it is for all types of students.

• Success in virtual school is more dependent on the following factors than the student’s label– Support at home – the amount and type of support varies

by curriculum/program and age of the student– A good program/curriculum– Active, engaged, caring teachers that are in touch

frequently– An administrative staff that is involved and monitoring

student success

Page 14: Virtual School Reality

Myth: You Don’t Know Who Is Doing the Work in Virtual School

Page 15: Virtual School Reality

Myth: You Don’t Know Who Is Doing the Work in Virtual School

Reality: My teachers know their virtual school students better than they knew their face to face

students.

• How:– First month, weekly phone calls– Monthly phone calls– Face-to-Face sessions– Discussion-Based Assessment for every unit

Page 16: Virtual School Reality

Myth: We Can Wait

Reality: The first to stake a claim in your area will develop the strongest

foothold.

Will it be you?

Page 17: Virtual School Reality

When You Are Ready to Take The Plunge…

Page 18: Virtual School Reality

Virtual School Does Not Happen By Magic

Page 19: Virtual School Reality

Myth: Running a Virtual School Requires No Space, Personnel, Effort

• Parent calls• Counseling parents

decisions• Managing enrollments• Data reporting• Student files• Student support• Counseling students and

credit check/graduation requirements

• Managing faculty and staff

• Professional development

• Virtual walk-throughs

Reality: …Wait…Really??

Page 20: Virtual School Reality

Myth: Virtual School is About Technology

Reality: People are the heart of virtual school

• The two most important staff members starting the school are:– An administrator– A data clerk

• Avoid using teachers by a provider– Hire the RIGHT Teachers– Use FULL TIME TEACHERS

Page 21: Virtual School Reality

Myth: Virtual School is About Technology

Reality: People are the heart of virtual school

• Research and Forecast– Do your homework and forecast enrollments if there is

existing virtual data in your area– You will have to hire before you know your enrollment, so

there is an element of financial risk

• Beyond that, additional staff will be required as the school grows:– Telephone help– A counselor– More administrative/support help

Page 22: Virtual School Reality

Myth: Teaching Virtual School is Easy!

Page 23: Virtual School Reality

Reality!

Page 24: Virtual School Reality

So What’s Next?

• What does Illinois want for their students?– Vendor-driven virtual schooling?

• Loss of students• Loss of funding• Loss of control• Quality is not up to you

– State-level virtual schooling?• Quality courses built on your standards• Provides opportunities to large and small districts, rural

areas, etc• Potential for Districts to franchise or lease courses

Page 25: Virtual School Reality

So What’s Next?

• What does Illinois want for their students?– District-level virtual schooling?

• Lease from state, purchase digital curriculum, or build your own

• Keep students in your district• Local control• Quality control• Bring students back from home school

Page 26: Virtual School Reality

Your Final Reality

Virtual Changes Existing Realities

• Mastery-based learning• Individualized pace• Digitizing curriculum – no text books• The end of grade levels• MUVEs• Customized learning pathways

Page 27: Virtual School Reality

Change…

You never change things by fighting the existing reality.

To change something, build a new model that makes the existing

model obsolete.

– R. Buckminster Fuller

Page 28: Virtual School Reality

Contact

This presentation is available on SlideShare.net

Diane Lewis

Director of Instructional Technology and Virtual Schools

Seminole County Public Schools

407-320-0157

[email protected]