Week 3 Reflection

What did you learn this week that struck you as particularly important or interesting?

I like the 5 observations about virtual charter schools that are listed in Gregg Vanourek, “A Primer on Virtual Charter Schools.” National Association of Charter School Authorizers, August 2006:

1. The laws of education still hold. This is so true. Regardless if it is charter, virtual or brick-and-mortar the main essence of education is to LEARN which requires great content, curriculum, training, support, resources etc.

2. The politics of education also still hold. This is even more so for approving a virtual charter school where it is taking money away from teachers and support staffs to a possibly third-party/outsourcing company.

3. Computers are no replacement for genuine human interaction or for teachers and tutors. Just like any other technology it is not a replacement for teachers. When TV and computers were first introduce to the classroom it was thought that would replaced teachers but we see that never will happen as there is always a need for proper scaffolding needed to have a sound and effective teaching environment.

4. Virtual charter schools are not for everybody. As some of my classmates agree with me, I personally will send my children to a virtual school unless really necessary.

5. Virtual Charter school is just starting. Virtual charter school is at it's infancy stage and it might take over the traditional schooling by storm, but time will tell if the general population will support it.

Has your thinking changed as a result of what you learned this week?

Reflecting on my readings for this week, I realized that virtual schools might be more suited for charter schools than a non-charter schools. Reason being is that charter schools has some flexibility in rules and regulations which allows for a much needed virtual school environment.