Title Students Meet Up with Scientists Students Meet Up with Scientists continued Students Meet Up with Scientists Reflection Report: Virtual Learning Expands Educational Opportunitie

s Report: Virtual Learning Expands Educational Opportunitie

s continued Report: Virtual Learning Expands Educational

Opportunities Reflection Should Schools Shift Print Dollars Toward Digital

Resources? Should Schools Shift Print Dollars Toward Digital

Resources? Continued Should Schools Shift Print Dollars Toward Digital

Resources? Reflection

By: Taylor Hall

Students are able to communicate with scientists in space and arctic regions of the world.

Students use Polycom visual communication solutions for communication.

(Schaffhauser, 2008)

Students can submit their own questions and get answers straight from the source

Students get to witness scientific happenings Very interactive

(Schaffhauser, 2008)

I think that this Polycom way of learning is an amazing way for students to get interested in science. I do not think that it would or could ever take the place of a teacher teaching the basics but I do think that it would be a great wrap-up to a unit. Using this new technology would allow teachers to examine how much of an understanding the children have for the subject by listening to the emerging conversations among the children. It would also, most importantly, allow kids to apply their new knowledge right away to the real world.

Virtual learning provides all children with access to age and knowledge appropriate material

Gives up to date assessments regardless of location

(Nagel, 2008)

Things that could stop or slow down virtual learning

Funding issues; Problems with licensure and certifications Teacher preparation for teaching online Infrastructure limitations

(Nagel, 2008)

I think that virtual learning can be helpful. However, I felt it was implied in the article that virtual learning could replace real life teaching and make it virtual. It would not put teachers out of a job but it would not be as personable as it is today. I agree with the fact that virtual learning doesn’t discriminate between location, gender, or economic status but how would people who have never used a computer before figure out how to use virtual learning? I think virtual learning is a better theory than actual working plan

Shifting money from books to digital resources Gives different instruction than books Stays updated Most are for this change Concerns about the appropriateness of the

material kids find are expressed

(Nagel, 2008)

Go Digital!

(Nagel, 2008)

I think that some of the money that is spent on books every year could be spent more wisely on digital resources. I think that digital resources are easier maintained in “good condition” than books which can be ripped and destroyed. I think that online data bases also offer up to date information to students and teachers that books cannot. I agree that more of the money needs to be taken from books and invested in digital resources.

Nagel, D (2008, November). Report: Virtual Learning Expands Educational Opportunities. Retrieved November 24, 2008, from THE Journal Web site: http://www.thejournal.com/articles/23600

Nagel, D (2008, November). Should Schools Shift Print Dollars Toward Digital Resources?. Retrieved November 24, 2008, from THE Journal Web site: http://www.thejournal.com/articles/23626

Schaffhauser, D (2008, November). Students Meet Up with Scientists in Antarctica and Engineers at NASA with Videoconferencing Tools. Retrieved November 24, 2008, from THE Journal Web site: http://www.thejournal.com/articles/23609