Virtual SchoolsPotential Solution to Equitable and

Quality Education for All

Dina Ghobashy

Global Education ConferenceNovember 2014

OutlineChallenges Facing Education For All (EFA)

What Are Virtual Schools

The Virtual Potential and Benefit

The Status Quo

Considerations

How to Get Started

2

Virtual Schools What do we know about them?

3

Poll 1

Are you aware of any virtual schools in your region?

4

Poll 2

Do you perceive the virtual schools in your region as successful?

5

If you said no, why do you think these schools are not successful?

6

If you said yes, why do you think these schools are successful?

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What’s Standing in the Way of EFAHow to achieve equitable, quality education for all

children around the world; and to accomplish this goal within a constrained fiscal environment?

Projected dramatic increase in the demand for schooling

Child labor. School access and quality can reduce children’s work

Gender attitudes and perceptions

“everyone has the right to education”Universal Declaration of Human Rights

8

Virtual Schools for EFA Are

Full time online schools

An alternative to public brick and mortar

schools

Schools where instruction is delivered via independent, asynchronous or synchronous means

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Virtual Schools Defined‘‘A state approved and/or regionally accredited

school that offers credit courses through distance learning methods that include Internet-based delivery”. Clark (2000)

‘‘A form of schooling that uses online computers to provide some or all of a student’s education”. Russell (2004a)

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The Virtual BenefitProvide high quality learning opportunities that

might not otherwise be available to students in their areas

No space shortage in cyber space

Allow for anytime, anywhere learning

Extensive yet personalized education

Enable flexible schedule and pace

Allow for educational choice

Professional development opportunity for local teachers * 11

The Status QuoFull time virtual schools are mostly in USA &

CanadaGrowth in the USA

In 2012-2013: 338 full-time virtual schools enrolling over 243,000 students

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Considerations

Access to devices and the Internet

Social Interaction

Accreditation

Student readiness and retention

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Is Online Less Social?Asynchronous communication is slower than face

to face and tends to remove feelings of connection

In traditional schools, students get to know each other before, during or after class

High levels of social presence create a learning environment that is perceived as warm, collegial, and approachable for all involved (Rourke et. al., 1999).

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What The Research RecommendsStudents feel a sense of connectedness and learning when the following exists

Strong and active presence on the part of the instructor

They perceive an effective instructional design and organization

Teachers use both asynchronous and synchronous communication

Incorporation of a ‘warm-up’ period into the course structure

Group projects and assignments15

What Schools Are DoingOnline and in-person clubs, labs, camps and field trips

The Florida Virtual School has an online Latin club and a Science Olympiad team that practices online and meets in person before big tournaments

Michigan Virtual University, which has an online K-12 school, offers summer math and science camps

Commonwealth connections academy sends 2 to 3 times a week, an RV converted into a science classroom for students to get in-person lessons and meet fellow students

References http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125374569191035579.html#ixzz1L42vGV00http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/01/12/15edtech_socialization.h30.html#offer 16

AccreditationVirtual schools are still relatively new, there are

seldom methods of evaluating their effectiveness

For public acceptance and scale, virtual schools have to be accredited

Governments support in the form of new policies could help virtual schools become more successful. E.g. a policy that restricts the number of students

enrolled in brick and mortar public schools

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Student ReadinessStudent factors and learning conditions can predict success in

online courses Having a computer at homeStudents’ past abilityCognitive student characteristics: self-efficacy and achievement and

organization beliefsAllowing time to complete an online course

What can be doneAssess students against these criteria Prepare them for the full time online experience before school startsProvide ongoing support and guidance throughout the academic yearFacilitation support and assistance for at-risk virtual learners

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Environment EnablersIncreased demand for access to quality schooling

Broadband plans and extensive 3/4G reach

Availability of locations that are equipped with technology resources such as Internet cafes and Tech Homes. These locations can provide a hub for students to study and for social interactions

Local schools could also be used as physical hubs for students to study, get support and socialize with their classmates

The cost of mobile devices continue to drop making them more accessible to students

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Initial ApproachDeliver classrooms fully online, cohort model, and

paced week by week (not self-paced)

Interactions are both asynchronous and synchronous

The online school program covers the standard national curriculum and tests, and follows the nation’s academic calendar

A computing device and Internet access is provided to each student at a very nominal fee only to instill sense of ownership

Social activities to prevent the sense of isolation among online students

Ongoing teacher professional development 20

Criteria for SuccessAccreditation and government support

Ease of scaling to accommodate increased capacity

Students readiness for online learning

Effective local online curriculum

Experienced certified online teachers

Adequate pay for online teachers

Appropriate student-teacher ratio

Independent decision making

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Business ModelsNonprofit

Government as an expansion of the public education systemNGO

For-profitPrivate organizations such as K-12 inc., the largest in this

sector

SocialA social business is an enterprise found to serve a social cause.

Covers all costs and make profit to pay back investors and support new and ongoing projects

Profit can be generated via other online learning opportunities such as tutoring and lifelong learning for youth and adults

New

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How to Get StartedStart with a pilot to mitigate risks and learnProposal:

One subject matter Pick a subject with proficiency challenges Select students / schools (treatment and

comparison groups) Experienced subject matter online teacher Teacher aide or facilitator in physical school

or in hubs such as tech homes/community schools

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PilotTarget parents who are committed to providing

the necessary support to their children’s education

Include students from different socioeconomic levels

Avoid school grades that involve high stakes tests

Include students who pass the student readiness for online learning assessment before or after basic training

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Some Questions for Pilot to AnswerDoes the age at which students join the online

school matter?

What is the level of support students need to be successful online? Do they need different preparation plans and support based on their grade?

Are parents able to provide good learning conditions for their kids? If not, why?

Are students actually learning?

What are the online teachers needs and challenges and how best to address them? 25

Q&A

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References Sherman, J. D., & Poirier, J. M. (2007). Educational Equity and Public Policy: Comparing

Results from 16 Countries. Montreal: UNESCO Institute for Statistics

Lorraine Angelino et.al. Strategies to Engage Online Students and Reduce Attrition Rates

Peter Shea. A study of students' sense of learning community in online environments - Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks

McInnerney, J. M., & Roberts, T. S. (2004). Online Learning: Social Interaction and the Creation of a Sense of Community. Educational Technology & Society

Online High Schools Test Students' Social Skills . As Digital Learning Programs Grow, Educators Hope to Prevent Teens From Feeling Isolated

Hackman, M. Z., and Walker, K. B. Instructional Communication in the Televised Classroom: The Effects of System Design and Teacher Immediacy on Student Learning and Satisfaction.” Communication Education, 1990, 39(3), 196–209

Virtual Schools in the US. 2014: Politics, Performance, Policy, and Research Evidence

The reality of virtual schools: A review of the literature. 2008. Michael K. Barbour, Thomas C. Reeves

A Study of the Effectiveness of the Louisiana Algebra I Online Course. Laura M O'Dwyer; Rebecca Carey; Glenn Kleiman. Journal of Research on Technology in Education; Spring 2007; 39, 3; Research Library, pg. 289 27