Virtual School Research Paper

In a world where people are practically inundated with technology beginning at birth, educators must look at how to diversify their practices to meet the needs of 21st century learners. Traditional educational practices are no longer best serving the needs of our students. Reformers have called for alternative systems, such as virtual schooling. Virtual schooling becomes an interesting prospect as it removes the traditional constraints of time and limited resources. Students can take ownership for their learning and engage in active learning during weekends and nights, if that better suits their needs rather than the traditional 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. framework. Furthermore, virtual schooling has the potential to serve students who do not perform well in the traditional schooling system due to a myriad of reasons (i.e. medical needs, social pressures, transient family requirements, etc.). However, is it right for students? Does it best serve the needs of the 21st century learner? Does the quality of education received in virtual …show more content…
The Internet is a wonderland of endless resources and virtual material. Instead of simply reading Diary of Anne Frank, students can take a virtual field trip of Amsterdam and Skype guest speakers from overseas. Learning is no longer one-dimensional. When opportunities like these are capitalized on, it creates a sense of global awareness. The expanded network of people and learning opportunities ultimately creates a better understanding and tolerance of the world around a person. Virtual learning requires students to obtain a plethora of technical skills. Discussion boards are not simply about discourse, but also involve keyboarding skills, accessibility training, and how to attach documents or other forms of evidence. These are valuable skills that extend beyond simply content, which in turn, prepares students for the 21st