Journal 8

“Virtual Schooling”
By Niki Davis and Dale S. Niederhauser

Virtual schooling (VS) is a rapidly growing trend in education. The trend is growing so rapidly, in fact, that the National Center for Educational Statistics reported that about one-third of public school districts had students enrolled in distance education courses. Virtual schooling allows K-12 courses and activities to be offered from a distance through digital communication technologies. Virtual schooling is a flexible form of education that accommodates students with restrictions based on their location or their schedule.


My Questions:

1. What skills would I need to develop in order to become a successful VS teacher?
As in a regular classroom, it would be very important to have strong communication skills. Although I would be meeting with my students from a distance, I would need to be able keep open communication with all of my students through a variety of digital technologies. Good communication would be an important part of developing a social presence in my virtual classroom. This involves creating a supportive, welcoming and accommodating learning environment for a diverse student population with different backgrounds and abilities. As a VS teacher, it would also be very important to effectively communicate and collaborate with administrators, system designers, and site facilitators in order to make sure that the program runs successfully.

2. What digital tools and software could be used to facilitate learning in a virtual classroom?
Learning management software, like WebCT, could be very useful. These types of programs provide access to curriculum materials, including syllabi and course calendars, as well as communication tools, such as e-mail and discussion boards. Another useful tool would be videoconferencing, which would allow students to speak with me directly.