Upload
k9diane
View
792
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Citation preview
Virtual Reality
Diane Lewis
School
SCVS
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
A Time of Choice
Charter
Private
Home
Reality
You will be competing for students.
Myths
NoVirtual School
!
Reality
Virtual school isn’t just coming –
it’s here.
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
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.)
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
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
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
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
Myth: You Don’t Know Who Is Doing the Work in Virtual School
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
Myth: We Can Wait
Reality: The first to stake a claim in your area will develop the strongest
foothold.
Will it be you?
When You Are Ready to Take The Plunge…
Virtual School Does Not Happen By Magic
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??
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
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
Myth: Teaching Virtual School is Easy!
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
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
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
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
Contact
This presentation is available on SlideShare.net
Diane Lewis
Director of Instructional Technology and Virtual Schools
Seminole County Public Schools
407-320-0157