As many students recently graduated from High School, I found an interesting article about the first class of graduating seniors from Utah from a virtual high school.
The students graduated from Utah Virtual Academy with a small class
size of around 12 students. However, the director, Jeffrey Herr,
explained that virtual schools are growing in popularity and the school
now has more than 2,000 students signed up for the upcoming school year.
It will be interesting to see how large this school and other virtual schools grow over the next few years. I wonder if they will continue to increase in enrollment or if they struggle to hold their ground. Three benefits I see in educational classroom technology include:
1. Accessibility
One way technology allows students and education to improve is through the accessibility of instruction and courses. Online courses allow students to have access to courses the school they attend does not offer. It also allows students who are unable to attend school for health and other complications to still be able to obtain an education in a convenient way.
2. Individualized Instruction
Another benefit I have notice from educational technology is its ability to automatically adjust to student needs. Technology can allow students to receive instruction that is individualized to their level of understanding. It allows students to progress at their own rate and pace. It allows gifted students and struggling students to move at a pace that does not leave them with feelings of frustration.
3. Reporting and Analytics
Technology-based education is also beneficial because of the analytic and reporting abilities technology provides. Teachers do not have to spend valuable time assessing each student and grading assignments that could easily be assessed with the right technological tools and programs. Also, with immediate assessments of student progress, technology-based instruction can instantly provide students with the material that best promotes their individual learning.
As with most topics, there are pro’s and con’s to technology-based education. Feel free to share your thoughts on technology-based education in the comment section!
It will be interesting to see how large this school and other virtual schools grow over the next few years. I wonder if they will continue to increase in enrollment or if they struggle to hold their ground. Three benefits I see in educational classroom technology include:
1. Accessibility
One way technology allows students and education to improve is through the accessibility of instruction and courses. Online courses allow students to have access to courses the school they attend does not offer. It also allows students who are unable to attend school for health and other complications to still be able to obtain an education in a convenient way.
2. Individualized Instruction
Another benefit I have notice from educational technology is its ability to automatically adjust to student needs. Technology can allow students to receive instruction that is individualized to their level of understanding. It allows students to progress at their own rate and pace. It allows gifted students and struggling students to move at a pace that does not leave them with feelings of frustration.
3. Reporting and Analytics
Technology-based education is also beneficial because of the analytic and reporting abilities technology provides. Teachers do not have to spend valuable time assessing each student and grading assignments that could easily be assessed with the right technological tools and programs. Also, with immediate assessments of student progress, technology-based instruction can instantly provide students with the material that best promotes their individual learning.
As with most topics, there are pro’s and con’s to technology-based education. Feel free to share your thoughts on technology-based education in the comment section!
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