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September 5, 2008 at 11:31 pm #587977
localmanParticipantGreetings, This may be a little premature but has anyone else noticed that some teachers are starting thier own web sites with class notes, sylibus, schedules …..
My hope is that we do not go down a road that will end with classes being taught by websites instead of teachers in classrooms.
Most people understand what huge help the internet can be but there is no substitute for a caring human teacher.
This is a slippery slope and in my opinion bears close watching.
Best Regards…..
September 6, 2008 at 12:16 am #637641
roundthesoundParticipantHow else are teachers supposed to keep parents informed of whats going on in the classroom? Or students for that matter…
Welcome to the 21st century!
September 6, 2008 at 12:52 am #637642
CPMemberI’ve found that websites are very helpful and have made me feel more connected to my professors/teachers in the past. Some students have a hard time retaining what they learned in class, even with notes, so I think it’s good to have a resource directly from their fellow students and their teachers to reference at home.
In my experience, when I have an online resource, I feel more apt to talk to my professors/teachers during class, I feel more prepared and confidant in discussions and best of all I feel a camaraderie among my peers.
These are of course GOOD teachers with GOOD websites. A good thing to keep an eye on, but I just thought I’d let you know a couple of positives. :)
September 6, 2008 at 1:30 am #637643
localmanParticipantI believe my point is being missed. To be clear what my concern is has to do with middle or high school teachers websites actually doing part of the teaching?
To be redundant: Most people understand what huge help the internet can be but there is no substitute for a caring human teacher.
Further: What about families that cannot or will not pay for the internet? Do thier kids not deserve a quality education?
I am not a person who professes to know allot about education but most would agree that what is currently happening in our educational system needs work and pawning off teaching responsibility to a computer is (in my view) not the answer.
September 6, 2008 at 1:51 am #637644
datamuseParticipantI really don’t see how an online syllabus and schedule are going to lead to teaching being done by website (though online courses have been part and parcel of higher education for years now–still, always, with a human teacher at the other end).
Where is anyone “pawning off teaching responsibility to a computer”?
September 6, 2008 at 1:53 am #637645
hopeyParticipantI’m confused. It sounds like you are saying that middle school children and high school children are being required to visit websites on for online educational instruction, instead of attending in-person classes taught by teachers. Is this what you are trying to suggest?
If not, then please explain more fully. Personally I don’t see anything wrong with teachers providing additional information for their students online. Students without online access at home can avail themselves of computer resources provided at school, or at any Seattle Public Library.
September 6, 2008 at 3:09 am #637646
changingtimesMemberI think the internet is very important especially for the younger children. I was actually in a miff that i could not find my childs checklist on the internet when we lost it a day before school started!!! anyways computers is what is leading the world today if our children dont know how to use one then you would actually be holding the child back. Look at job interviews…now you have to not only take a typing test but also a microsoft office test with word, excel, and powerpoint! this is the new generation! we should teach them while they are young!
September 6, 2008 at 3:42 am #637647
localmanParticipantPlease let me put this a differnet way to you all. Do you think that classes should be taught on-line at the Middle and High school levels?
September 6, 2008 at 3:43 am #637648
localmanParticipantOops,…. Should or could…..
September 6, 2008 at 4:00 am #637649
datamuseParticipantNo, of course not. I still don’t see how posting the syllabus on a website leads to that.
September 6, 2008 at 4:05 am #637650
angelescrestParticipantWell, middle and high school classes COULD be taught online; in fact, they are. One of my kids is in her third year at Stanford University’s online high school. It’s interactive: she has to be in in classes at certain times with a prof. They use webcams…you should see what an online parent conference is like. The kids have gotten together at Stanford a few times, and they’re from everywhere. Is it for everyone? No way. It’s so intense and intensive. It’s been perfect for this daughter.
September 6, 2008 at 4:07 am #637651
GenHillOneParticipantSeptember 6, 2008 at 4:16 am #637652
HPMemberKids all learn differently, if this is an avenue for a kid who doesnt do traditional school well, why not give an alternative option?
September 6, 2008 at 4:16 am #637653
angelescrestParticipantGHO,
Not a great job of reporting. Who’s behind this new online school that’s tuition free? Why is it tuition free? (Stanford’s right up there with the privates.)
Teachers are encouraged to post class info on the web, but I can tell you, Localman, that at my school at least, all the learning’s happening in that classroom.
September 6, 2008 at 4:27 am #637654
GenHillOneParticipantI honestly don’t know anything about it, just remembered that it was on the news yesterday. There is a link to the “school” site – says it’s part of Evergreen Public Schools.
I love when Seattle teachers use The Source. My son is responsible for his own notes and homework from class, but it’s really helpful (especially in the beginning) to be able to see that he and the teacher are on the same page.
September 6, 2008 at 4:39 am #637655
angelescrestParticipantGHO,
To clarify, I meant lousy job of reporting by the reporter who wrote the story. I’m going to try to use The Source more creatively this year…
September 6, 2008 at 4:44 am #637656
datamuseParticipantThat looks really cool, angelescrest.
I also realized I should clarify my comment: I don’t think education should go online-only, and I don’t think it’s going to, either. But it’s a viable option if done well.
In higher ed, courseware that incorporates reading lists, online discussion groups, assignments and quizzes is becoming the norm–even at my university where all actual classes are still taught in person and you can’t get transfer credit for an online course. Students who are already familiar with this medium have a leg up.
September 6, 2008 at 4:45 am #637657
GenHillOneParticipantI got your meaning, no worries – you’re right though, it is still a bit of a mystery.
September 6, 2008 at 5:06 am #637658
hopeyParticipantWhat is wrong with an online alternative school? If the parent(s) and child are willing to take on the burden of keeping the child on-task, I don’t see how this is bad. If you read the comments on that article, you will see comments from parents whose children did not thrive in a traditional classroom setting but performed wonderfully with an at-home online experience.
One method of learning does not fit for all students. People have been getting legitimate, accredited college degrees using online courses for many years now. Why shouldn’t that medium also be available to children who can handle it & have appropriate parental support to succeed? I don’t see anyone saying that online high school classes will completely replace traditional high school classes. Online college degrees have not replaced attendance at traditional four-year colleges. It is just another choice that people with different needs can make.
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