When reading chapter 7 in Motivation for Achievement by M. Kay Anderson I was particularly interested in a section titled "Sense of Memebership of Belonging." Last year I had some experience assisting children who were enrolled in an online charter school program. I never planned on getting involved in any sort of homeschooling or online schooling, I just kind of fell into it. The charter school I worked for mainly did this sort of online curriculum. I was one of a number of people brought in to start a brick and mortar aspect of the charter. Towards the end of the school year, I was asked to also help out with some of their online students. It seems these online school are becoming more and more popular in all parts or the U.S. While I do feel these programs may actually help some older students (11th and 12th grade) I think that for the most part they are cheating children out of a school experience.
Anderson says, "a sense of school membership is the foundation on which educational engagement is built (p. 202.)" Younger children especially thrive on this feeling of school membership. More importantly, children learn best from other children. It baffles me that people think what is best for their kindergartner is to sit in front of a computer screen and "learn."
Many of the parents of these students told me they chose to enroll their child because they didn't trust the public school system. I must admit I can see where they're coming from. There are schools that to a parent seem like a dangerous place for their child. What I found out however is that most parent were uneducated on the options they have. The area I was visiting students in had a number of progressive public charter schools that the parents didn't even know about.
My point is, I believe a small amount of online learning may benefit older students (take myself for example) but it is the definition of developmentally inappropriate for most students. Kids need to be around other kids to learn.
Most of the parents of these online students told me they chose to enroll their children because they didn't trust the public school system.
What an interesting connection to chapter 7! I've never thought much about online schools, but I think you're right in that they kind of cheat students out of a learning experience. So much of what goes on in a classroom (especially in an elementary classroom) has to do with socializing the student how to interact with others, or what Alderman would call social bonds. Social bonds are very difficult to create over the internet.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be extremely difficult for teachers to provide support for their students and much of what we’ve learned (goal setting, attributions, self-efficacy, etc) throughout our readings would be very difficult in an online situation. It’s just so much harder to motivate students when you don’t actually interact with them face-to-face.
If I were a parent, I would only enroll my student in an on-line school if my students were extremely independent and highly motivated. I’ve heard of these on-line situations being good for advanced students that can move really quickly through material. However, we go back to social bonds and collaborative learning, which I feel are essential for a well-rounded child.
Hi Will,
ReplyDeleteI think you bring up an important point of the potential adverse affects of having technology replace human interaction. As we have been discussing the benefits on motivation by using technology, on the other hand, it cannot serve as a replacement. While texting, blogging and creating websites may be fun, I think we need to consider if it meets the curricular goals, but also, if it is furthering the development of kids not only academically, but socially and emotionally. There is strong value in public speaking, debate and linguist skills, which will likely disappear in schools if they are to be replaced entirely by a Web 2.0 curriculum. I'm glad you're back and will be teaching face-to-face!