Virtual Success – Transforming Education through Online Learning

Virtual schools are an emerging and rapidly growing field in education.  For more than a decade, since 1997, the state of Florida has given students the opportunity to enroll in a statewide publically funded virtual school – Florida Virtual School (FLVS).  FLVS has given its students a unique learning experience, which has been found highly successful.  Students find themselves spending more time on their computers and studying for virtual school than going to traditional school.  Educators from FVLS have found it intriguing that students are INSPIRED TO LEARN!  So why is FLVS so successful?  Because they draw the students into learning using their interest and use real life situations.  FLVS uses the numerous communication tools that are available in the public with their students – cell phones, e-mail, and text messaging.  The great thing about this virtual school is that learning is more individualized: students can go at their own pace without having to be rushed by the sound of the bell, students gain time, and are presented with engaging course material.  Teachers work 24/7/365 and are readily available to their students.  Another great attribute that makes FLVS so successful, is that teachers allow students to resubmit course work until it is “perfected.”  How is this great? Well it resembles the real world situation that employers want their employees to do – “refine until polished.”  There have been many contradictory statements bout virtual school and social interaction between students.  However, FLVS has proven otherwise.  Students works in small group instruction, can video conference, have field trips and learning fairs, and numerous clubs to join.  Through these resources “students embrace leadership role and demonstrate social responsibility and enhanced social skills” (p. 15).  Unlike traditional schools, FLVS has shifted its curriculum to meet the need of the 21^st century.  Apart from teaching student competency in the core subjects such as science, math, history, and reading, FLVS includes critical community understanding in business, global awareness, finances, civic literacy, health and wellness.   In addition teachers in FLVS, “incorporate life skills into their pedagogy” (I find this a bit surreal because that’s what teachers in traditional schools have been working on for so many years) (p. 16).   

The authors of this scholarly paper also suggested that students are unhappy with traditional schools because they do not prepare them for the global market.  Yet, FLVS does.  Interestingly, students in online courses outperform peers in traditional schools.  FLVS has found that students earn higher grades, receive better standardized test scores, and achieve higher marking in AP exams than those in traditional schools.

As you can see, FLVS has many successful tactics used to accommodate and teach students.  With times changing, educators have to change education as well.  As the authors state, “we must nurture students and give them opportunities to explore, learn, and create” (p. 17).  Virtual school is starting to seem like great break through!

Young, J, Birtolo, P, & McElman, R. (2009). Virtual success: transforming education through online learning. Learning & Leading with Technology, 36(5), Retrieved from URL http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/Current_Issue