Submitted by mohtava on Tue, 05/10/2016 - 14:31
- “Virtual school is the same thing as homeschool.”
Even though most students who attend virtual school do so from the comfort of their own homes, it is still not considered homeschool. Homeschool is not public education because there are no trained teachers involved, while virtual school does have trained teachers running the classes and instructing students. Virtual schools have rigorous curriculums and students are required to participate in the same standardized testing as students in physical schools.
- “Virtual schools don’t have actual teachers.”
The truth is that virtual schools have teachers who are just as qualified, if not more so than teachers at traditional schools. These teachers generally have extensive training and experience in a traditional classroom, plus training for the virtual classroom. So, they know how to work effectively in both settings and how to instruct students online based on their needs and learning styles.
- “Virtual school is only for gifted students.”
Virtual school is an option for all students, and is the only option for some students who have excessive absences or behavior problems at traditional schools. Virtual school follows the same curriculum as regular schools, so it’s neither easier nor harder than traditional schooling. It can, however, be more difficult for students who require face-to-face interaction with their teachers, so bear that in mind if you are considering virtual school as a serious option.
- “Virtual school students are more likely to cheat.”
There is no evidence to support the myth that students cheat more online than they do in traditional classrooms. In fact, they are probably less able to cheat because most virtual schools require students to submit all of their work to programs that are designed to detect plagiarism. Also, when students do have to take standardized exams, they must sit in a room with a proctor supervising them.
- “Virtual schools are entirely about technology.”
While helping students grow accustomed to technology and digital media is one of the goals of virtual school, it is definitely not the main focus. Teaching students about English, math, science, and other subjects is far more important, just like in a traditional school. Just because students are using this technology to accomplish educational tasks doesn’t mean they aren’t learning what they need to know in other subjects.
