Demystifying Cyber Schools — the Benefits of a Virtual Education

Throughout the school year, parents and caregivers everywhere are thinking about and making plans for their children’s education—and there is a lot to think about. Specifically, “what kind of school should my child attend?” With so many options available, from the traditional brick-and-mortar public schools to charter schools to religious schools, students have more educational choices than ever. One option is the increasingly popular and innovative virtual school.

Virtual schools started appearing in the late 1990s and are currently available in several states across the country – including California. According to A National Primer on K-12 Online Learning from the North American Council for Online Learning (April 2007), at the end of 2006, 25 states offered state-led online learning programs, and 18 states were home to 147 virtual charter schools serving over 65,000 students.

Yet, despite the steady growth in interest and enrollment, many people don’t understand how virtual schools work or the numerous benefits they provide – to both students and our education system.

Virtual learning enables school districts to deliver a flexible educational option via the Internet and allows educators to address the specific gifts or challenges of the individual student. Virtual students have notable educational support as they learn from home with parents or caregivers while working with teachers over the Web. Virtual schools typically provide a print-rich curriculum that combines textbooks and hands-on materials along with technology tools.

But what does all that really mean? The benefits of virtual education come in many forms. For the student, “wearing your pajamas to class” may be one of them, but it’s far from the defining characteristic. Above all, students are offered high-quality, highly accountable, individualized learning. Teachers, parents and students work together to plan the educational path that is right for the student. Does the student require additional work in Algebra? Are they interested in learning Chinese? Do they want to focus on one subject for several days? These are the types of questions and options virtual learning affords. With virtual learning, the actual school work and education are the main focus, while the time and place it gets done is secondary.

As a result, virtual schools attract all types of students, resulting in a diverse and unique student body. A typical virtual class may include students who are far ahead of their peers in a traditional setting, as well as those who are behind or require additional assistance in certain areas. Or, students who need a rigorous, yet flexible learning schedule to accommodate a sports or acting career. It also brings together students from different towns. Yet these students are learning together, from each other, and sharing on many levels.

While many parents worry about the social implications of having their children enrolled in a virtual school, many of the schools take this into account and make it easy for the kids to interact with their peers. Some virtual schools provide planned field trips where students can interact with one another in person, and online bulletin boards where kids can talk about the latest Harry Potter movie or meet a new friend with similar interests from another state.

The dedication to your child’s education is also paramount to succeeding in a virtual learning environment. Parents or caregivers directly contribute to and participate in the student’s day-to-day education process while lessons can be delivered when and where it works best for both. For example, Carissa Lim is currently enrolled in a virtual school program and is taught by her mother, Nancy Lim. Carissa is also a gymnast who spends a great deal of time practicing and competing in her sport – a traditional school schedule and environment was challenging and did not support her lifestyle The virtual learning model offers families like the Lims an alternative to public school education with a flexible schedule while still providing an enriched and challenging curriculum.

“My daughter needs an outlet for her athletic passion and personality and she just wasn’t happy in a traditional public school,” said Nancy Lim, a virtual school parent. “Virtual learning allows us to advance in subjects she is interested in and allows her to pursue gymnastics at the same time – I couldn’t ask for a better arrangement.”

Parents of students in virtual schools consistently give high remarks on their children’s education. For families who find that traditional schools are not providing the individualized attention they want, virtual schools continue to provide a highly effective and successful alternative.

Florida Schools Going Hi-Tech & Virtual

In this day and age, we are required more and more often to be technologically literate. Florida Public Schools need to adapt to that technology or fall behind. We are becoming a mobile society, with the ability to talk to anyone at anytime from anywhere; we can even do a “virtual commute” and have an office at the park, in the coffee shop, or even at a bookstore. While some districts are slow to rise to the task, others have stepped up to the plate.

The Florida Virtual School (FLVS) was founded in 1997, and was the country’s first state-wide Internet-based public high school. In fact, other states wishing to implement this kind of learning opportunity for their students look to FVLS as the model to follow. This is the only one of Florida Schools where funding is tied directly to student performance.

Leaders of the FLVS serving Florida Schools students are committed to deliver high-quality, technology-based education. They hold the following core beliefs about education:

• Every Florida Schools student is unique, so learning should be dynamic, flexible and engaging.
• Studies should be integrated rather than isolated.
• Students, parents, community members, and schools share responsibility for learning.
• Students should have choices in how they learn and how they present what they know.
• Students should be provided guidance with school and career planning.
• Assessments should provide insights not only of student progress but also of instruction and curriculum.

Courses are available to any and all public, private, and home-schooled Florida Schools students. Out-of-state and international students may attend the virtual school by paying tuition. FLVS is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

FLVS employs 380 full-time and 180 adjunct Florida Schools teachers who reside throughout Florida and some who live beyond the state’s borders. All FLVS teachers possess a valid Florida Schools teaching certificate and are certified specifically in the subject they teach.

All of this information is definitely impressive. It is easy to imagine what kinds of students would benefit from this type of Florida Schools education. Those Florida Schools students who are home-schooled, have various psychological challenges, social disorders, or other disabilities may find success by attending Florida Schools online. Are there drawback? Of course, nothing is perfect and snowy white. Never meeting face-to-face with one’s instructor can hinder the learning process. So much is communicated through body language, and the student would miss out on this valuable information by only studying online. The obvious lack of social interaction with one’s peers also exists; students who attend more traditional Florida Schools have a variety of opportunities to experience activities with other kids their age.

While there are easily recognizable, positive aspects for Florida Schools students who wish to attend a virtual school, it is also important to recognize and consider the drawbacks to never setting foot inside any of the Florida Schools classrooms that exist in the state’s 67 districts.