5 About Virtual School Myths Myth: Virtual public school is the same as homeschool. 1 2 3 4 5 Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education. All rights reserved. Despite the growing popularity of online education, there is still some confusion regarding how virtual school works. Here is a list of five myths about virtual school to help demystify some of the most common misconceptions. Truth: Virtual school and homeschool are very different. Virtual public schools deliver public education in the comfort of the student's home. Like all public schools, they are tuition-free to students. State-certified teachers deliver rigorous curriculum that correlates to state standards and provide students with a variety of innovative learning materials and top-notch resources. Myth: Virtual schools are all about technology. Truth: They are about curriculum and instruction for students. Many virtual schools have the basic technology to allow students to join a virtual classroom wherever there's Internet access. But the most reputable virtual schools also take the curriculum and instruction very seriously for students—it's not just about technology. If you think all virtual schools are created equal, it is time to do your homework. Look for a virtual school with a track record of delivering student academic achievement and high levels of parent and student satisfaction. Other key quality benchmarks include: accreditation from AdvancED; full-time, certified, and highly qualified teachers; state-of-the-art technology resources; and community activities. Myth: Virtual learning is essentially “teacher-less”. Truth: Certified teachers do the teaching. Not only are online teachers heavily involved in online courses, but many report that they know their students better online than in a traditional classroom setting. They are specially trained in the nuances of working effectively in a virtual classroom and can pay close attention to tailoring instruction to match students' needs and learning styles. In the best virtual schools, the teacher works directly with both the student and a caretaker, typically a parent, to develop an individual learning plan, provide instruction, and grade assignments. Myth: Virtual school students spend all of their time in front of a computer. Truth: Students use textbooks, microscopes, and interactive curricula. In the top virtual schools, the computer is a tool for teachers and parents to manage and track assignments, communicate (along with the phone), and deliver interactive curricular materials. However, students complete many assignments “unplugged,” and they spend time reading textbooks, using workbooks, reading library books, and doing hands-on science experiments—just like they would in a traditional school. Myth: Online schooling limits quality social interactions for kids. Truth: Students regularly socialize and interact with peers. The reality is that patterns of socialization for virtual learners are not so different from those students in a traditional school. Virtual students do have opportunities to interact with each other. Just like all kids, they choose to IM, text, talk to each other on the phone, visit during lab sessions, connect via social media, and also socialize with adults in their schools, at home, and in the community. Many students also find that the flexibility of virtual education makes it possible to be involved in outside extracurricular activities, volunteer, or pursue their athletic or creative talents.

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Page 1: About Virtual School - Learn With Connectionslearnwithconnections.com/.../5_Myths_About_Virtual... · Myth: Online schooling limits quality social interactions for kids. Truth: Students

5 About Virtual SchoolMyths

Myth: Virtual public school is the same as homeschool.

Despite the growing popularity of online education, there is still some confusion regarding how virtual school works. Here is a list of five myths about virtual school to help demystify some of the most common misconceptions.

Truth: Virtual school and homeschool are very different.Virtual public schools deliver public education in the comfort of the student's home. Like all public schools, they are tuition-free to students. State-certified teachers deliver rigorous curriculum that correlates to state standards and provide students with a variety of innovative learning materials and top-notch resources.

Myth: Virtual schools are all about technology.

Truth: They are about curriculum and instruction for students.Many virtual schools have the basic technology to allow students to join a virtual classroom wherever there'sInternet access. But the most reputable virtual schools also take the curriculum and instruction very seriously forstudents—it's not just about technology. If you think all virtual schools are created equal, it is time todo your homework. Look for a virtual school with a track record of delivering student academic achievement andhigh levels of parent and student satisfaction. Other key quality benchmarks include: accreditation from AdvancED;full-time, certified, and highly qualified teachers; state-of-the-art technology resources; and community activities.

Myth: Virtual learning is essentially “teacher-less”.

Truth: Certified teachers do the teaching.Not only are online teachers heavily involved in online courses, but many report that they know their studentsbetter online than in a traditional classroom setting. They are specially trained in the nuances of working effectively in a virtual classroom and can pay close attention to tailoring instruction to match students' needs and learning styles. In the best virtual schools, the teacher works directly with both the student and a caretaker, typically a parent, to develop an individual learning plan, provide instruction, and grade assignments.

Myth: Virtual school students spend all of their time in front of a computer.

Truth: Students use textbooks, microscopes, and interactive curricula.In the top virtual schools, the computer is a tool for teachers and parents to manage and track assignments, communicate (along with the phone), and deliver interactive curricular materials. However, students complete many assignments “unplugged,” and they spend time reading textbooks, using workbooks, reading library books, and doing hands-on science experiments—just like they would in a traditional school.

Myth: Online schooling limits quality social interactions for kids.

Truth: Students regularly socialize and interact with peers.The reality is that patterns of socialization for virtual learners are not so different from those students in a traditional school. Virtual students do have opportunities to interact with each other. Just like all kids, they choose to IM, text, talk to each other on the phone, visit during lab sessions, connect via social media, and also socialize with adults in their schools, at home, and in the community. Many students also find that the flexibility of virtual education makes it possible to be involved in outside extracurricular activities, volunteer, or pursue their athletic or creative talents.