Virtual learning.
Use those high tech toys, oops, I mean, tools, that we already have, and save some money too.
From my experience teaching in the distance learning program at Montgomery College a few years back, I'd be hesitant to use virtual teaching in the classrooms with students in traditional K-12 classrooms. Distance learning works best with extremely motivated students, such as those who can only access content through alternative delivery systems. I had numerous nurses, public safety officials, second career/transitional types who did well, but many students who wanted an easy course were disappointed.
But what about virtual training for our teachers? Money is tight, why not use technology, web based resources, or other computer based training systems already widely accepted in many other workplaces, to train the adults? Extend this a bit further - and teleconferences can be used by MoCo staff to attend conferences and network with their peers across the country, all from the comfort of Carver, and without those pesky credit card charges.
Here's the beginning of the article:
January 17, 2011
Florida Has Classes Without Teachers
By LAURA HERRERA
MIAMI — On the first day of her senior year at North Miami Beach Senior High School, Naomi Baptiste expected to be greeted by a teacher when she walked into her precalculus class.
“All there were were computers in the class,” said Naomi, who walked into a room of confused students. “We found out that over the summer they signed us up for these courses.”
Naomi is one of over 7,000 students in Miami-Dade County Public Schools enrolled in a program in which core subjects are taken using computers in a classroom with no teacher. A “facilitator” is in the room to make sure students progress. That person also deals with any technical problems.
These virtual classrooms, called e-learning labs, were put in place last August as a result of Florida’s Class Size Reduction Amendment, passed in 2002. The amendment limits the number of students allowed in classrooms, but not in virtual labs.continues at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/18/education/18classrooms.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
No way would I trust MCPS teachers to get their training via computer.
ReplyDeleteRemember the "MANDATORY" training associated with the closing of the Secondary Learning Centers. That would be the "REQUIRED" training where 1/2 the staff who were mandated to attend did not.
I also recall that there were NO CONSEQUENCES for those who didn't show up to do their job.
Instead, how about as a cost saving measure, we fine employees who don't show up for their MANDATORY Training.
Bob Astrove