It is just more of the same. The Falcon Virtual academy with a cost for individual computers for each student and what will the student to ratio be? Another example of putting the cart before the horse. You did not attract "new" to ccusd students with the other Academy so now you are spending district money on this idea. Doesn't seem we should be spending money on these "ideas" when we had to close a school. This is where the Board and Adminstration lose parent and voters support. It is so very sad not that DAMS closed, but how it was handled.
The reason for the Falcon Virtual academy was simple. The district has been doing studies for several years. Those studies indicate a large number of students leaving the high school to stay at home and go on online schools. It was to capture those students.
Computers can be pretty cheap these days. Certainly less than the loss of state funding for a particular student.
I think then the problem that needs to be solved is not how to bring those online learners back, but WHY they left CCUSD to begin with? Is the reason(s) preventable with simple fixes?
The average online student does not want to have the butt in a chair at the school. That is why (of 8 I talked to that left) went online. If the computer are so cheap, then why is the computer in my child's classroom 8 years old and shared with 30 other kids( 4 computers for 30 kids?)
Online - if the school gets $4500/student (i have no idea what the number is) and spends $500 on the laptop, and a certain amount for the online program content, they may still have a couple of thousand left.
Put that same kid in the school at $4500. Many costs (especially the building overhead, teaching salaries, etc). Chances are they have to spend over the $4500. Doesn't leave money for the computer. Plus, the community has not shown a willingness to pay for additional technology.
Offering online classes is just keeping up with education/learning trends and is a progressive move. Not every subject needs to be in a traditional setting especially if the student is an aggressive, independent learner.
Re-thinking teaching models should be a constant process not reviewed every five-seven years. I am impressed with many online offerings and would hope that some educators would not see it as a replacement, but adjunctive to their teaching. Once in the classroom, if the students are armed with the basics, an educator can be free to build on collaborative thought, problem solving, and building on that knowledge through interaction.
The future of education is literally in the "hands" of the students now given the portable technology each one of them is or will carry.
Many students are no longer taking online summer school classes to just to correct an "F" but are using the time to improve B's to A's or getting credits during summer so that they can take additional or different classes during the regular school year.
CSHS is right on track at promoting online learning. Netbooks are getting less expensive and 4G wireless availability more prevalent. Honestly, for what the district must pay to purchase and maintain traditional books, the technical expense may be a push.
Then do it for all students?? I go back to when you are in such a "budget crunch" that we closed a school, increased class size..then we should not be getting virtual on line students their own computer. I know of two online schools that do not supply the computer.
I can't wait to see how many students "find" CCUSD, will it be just like the "Academy" only pulling in 8 new kids to CCUSD? I guess only time will tell.
I am not an Arizona home schooling expert. I do know that in California, districts are responsible for providing home schooled youths with the materials that they need for home schooling, including the computer. Is that perhaps an Arizona requirement for public school districts?
Anonymous above posted: "Many students are no longer taking online summer school classes to just to correct an "F" but are using the time to improve B's to A's".
More commonly, students use online classes to change C's to B's. This way the students qualify for the AIMS Scholarship (by the way. the future of this program is currently being questioned by university officials).
Online "learning" is an easy way for students to manipulate their GPAs. In many cases, the authenticity of the experience must questioned.
If you are a proud holder of an online degree from some prestigious virtual college, I mean no offense.
It is just more of the same. The Falcon Virtual academy with a cost for individual computers for each student and what will the student to ratio be? Another example of putting the cart before the horse. You did not attract "new" to ccusd students with the other Academy so now you are spending district money on this idea. Doesn't seem we should be spending money on these "ideas" when we had to close a school. This is where the Board and Adminstration lose parent and voters support. It is so very sad not that DAMS closed, but how it was handled.
ReplyDeleteThe reason for the Falcon Virtual academy was simple. The district has been doing studies for several years. Those studies indicate a large number of students leaving the high school to stay at home and go on online schools. It was to capture those students.
ReplyDeleteComputers can be pretty cheap these days. Certainly less than the loss of state funding for a particular student.
I think then the problem that needs to be solved is not how to bring those online learners back, but WHY they left CCUSD to begin with? Is the reason(s) preventable with simple fixes?
ReplyDeleteI believe that the trending towards online in the district was similar to trending in other nearby districts.
ReplyDeleteThe average online student does not want to have the butt in a chair at the school. That is why (of 8 I talked to that left) went online. If the computer are so cheap, then why is the computer in my child's classroom 8 years old and shared with 30 other kids( 4 computers for 30 kids?)
ReplyDeleteOnline - if the school gets $4500/student (i have no idea what the number is) and spends $500 on the laptop, and a certain amount for the online program content, they may still have a couple of thousand left.
ReplyDeletePut that same kid in the school at $4500. Many costs (especially the building overhead, teaching salaries, etc). Chances are they have to spend over the $4500. Doesn't leave money for the computer. Plus, the community has not shown a willingness to pay for additional technology.
Offering online classes is just keeping up with education/learning trends and is a progressive move. Not every subject needs to be in a traditional setting especially if the student is an aggressive, independent learner.
ReplyDeleteRe-thinking teaching models should be a constant process not reviewed every five-seven years. I am impressed with many online offerings and would hope that some educators would not see it as a replacement, but adjunctive to their teaching. Once in the classroom, if the students are armed with the basics, an educator can be free to build on collaborative thought, problem solving, and building on that knowledge through interaction.
The future of education is literally in the "hands" of the students now given the portable technology each one of them is or will carry.
Many students are no longer taking online summer school classes to just to correct an "F" but are using the time to improve B's to A's or getting credits during summer so that they can take additional or different classes during the regular school year.
CSHS is right on track at promoting online learning. Netbooks are getting less expensive and 4G wireless availability more prevalent. Honestly, for what the district must pay to purchase and maintain traditional books, the technical expense may be a push.
Then do it for all students?? I go back to when you are in such a "budget crunch" that we closed a school, increased class size..then we should not be getting virtual on line students their own computer. I know of two online schools that do not supply the computer.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see how many students "find" CCUSD, will it be just like the "Academy" only pulling in 8 new kids to CCUSD? I guess only time will tell.
ReplyDeleteI am not an Arizona home schooling expert. I do know that in California, districts are responsible for providing home schooled youths with the materials that they need for home schooling, including the computer. Is that perhaps an Arizona requirement for public school districts?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous above posted: "Many students are no longer taking online summer school classes to just to correct an "F" but are using the time to improve B's to A's".
ReplyDeleteMore commonly, students use online classes to change C's to B's. This way the students qualify for the AIMS Scholarship (by the way. the future of this program is currently being questioned by university officials).
Online "learning" is an easy way for students to manipulate their GPAs. In many cases, the authenticity of the experience must questioned.
If you are a proud holder of an online degree from some prestigious virtual college, I mean no offense.