Cyber school, just like any other school, has its pros and cons. When comparing the benefits and disadvantages, there are multiple aspects to look at. It would be easy to use your own personal experience as a reference, but it's also important to examine the demographic/statistical data on the subject.
An important statistic to look at is the comparison between brick and mortar schools, and cyber schools. Data tends to show that online learners have lessened chances for success in school, and after high school. Specifically, we can look at school performance levels. “In 2009–10, only three of the 23 fully online charter schools in Ohio, which comprised eight percent of all fully online enrollments in the state, received a state rating of “effective” or better. Among traditional public school students, 75 percent were enrolled at a school rated effective or better” (Innovation Ohio). Another statistic to look at is student dropout rates. “A study of fully online students in Minnesota found that 10 percent of 11th grade students and 25 percent of 12th grade students dropped out, compared to only one percent and three percent, respectively, statewide” (Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor). This data does show that dropout rates in virtual schools are much higher than brick and mortar schools; however, this does not deter from the fact that virtual schools have benefits. Virtual schools tend to have stricter policies that students in modern society need to adhere to. Many teenagers in brick and mortar schools have no such push, while virtual schools individually target each student's academics. The next statistic to look at is school proficiency rates. The Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor says, “Compared with all public school students statewide, full-time online students in Minnesota had significantly lower proficiency rates in math, but about the same proficiency rates in reading”. To back this up, the Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau released the following information: ". . . fully online charter students in Wisconsin outperformed state peers in reading but lagged state peers in math”. This data does not suggest that proficiency levels are necessarily lower in virtual schools, but that, like brick and mortar schools, proficiency levels vary. The last aspect of virtual schools to look at is actually not a statistic. This aspect is just stating the facts of what a virtual school is. By definition, virtual school is, “A public school that offers only instruction in which students and teachers are separated by time and/or location, and interaction occurs via computers and/or telecommunications technologies. A virtual school generally does not have a physical facility that allows students to attend classes on site” (National Center for Education Statistics). This definition shows many valid points to both the pros and cons of an online school. A benefit and disadvantage of an online school is that you do not have to attend a physical location every day. This is a benefit in the aspect that you do not have to go through the daily hassle of getting ready for school, finding transportation to get to school, and dealing with possible confrontation with bullies. However, not attending a physical location does pose its shortcomings. Some shortcomings of a virtual school, are that you cannot socialize in person with other people, and cannot view live demonstrations of lessons. And, even though you cannot be bullied in person, the issue of cyber-bullying still lingers. Although there are many cons, the pros outweigh the cons. Since you do not attend a physical location, it enables you to have a larger selection of classes, more academic independence, and hours that are more flexible for the individual student. In conclusion, virtual schools have their advantages and disadvantages. Virtual schools tend to have higher dropout rates, vary in proficiency scores, and lack social interaction. Even though virtual schools have cons, they have a great variation of benefits. These benefits include gained independence, larger and varied selection of classes, flexible hours, and a more personalized learning approach. Like a brick and mortar school, scores vary to the extent that it is hard to determine accurate statistical information using them. Virtual schools, just like brick and mortar schools, have pros and cons that can allow us to determine that each person is different, and that each school provides different needs for different kinds of students. Article Written by Joseph DuPree Sources: -Study of Virtual School Performance and Impact (source of quotes from Innovation Ohio, Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor, & Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau) -National Center for Education Statistics Comments are closed.
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