Virtual Classrooms - Revolutionizing Education

Reports on the issue of the virtual classroom being better for students than the face-to-face traditional setting are torn. For example, Moe, Cuban, and Chubb (2009, p.2) argue that virtual schools allow for “curricula, teaching methods, and schedules [to be] customized to meet the learning styles and life situations of individual students.” Other reports argue that the students who found success with virtual learning had “above-average or exceptional academic backgrounds and were college bound” (Kozma, Zucker & Espinoza, 1998).  

In favor of virtual classrooms are those who argue that the digital age allows for cutting costs, personalized learning and that it is the way of the future. Students can access more information than a traditional classroom teacher could present. If students are behind they can research gaps in knowledge to catch up.

On the other side of the coin are those who argue that the "individualized" education does not extend to students with special needs or learning disparities. Reiterating that the only students who showed true growth were higher level learners (Kozma, Zucker & Espinoza, 1998). If students are behind they may lack the motivation or know how to find the knowledge they are missing. Teachers are certainly the tool to aid with addressing gaps in knowledge at the elementary and secondary levels. 

The obvious place for virtual learning may not be the high school classroom, though it may aid Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate students, but rather the college and university level. Virtual classrooms could be the way to address the economic downturn and the  rising costs of higher education. 

Universities could still charge the same amount for a class and load it with unlimited number of students, without losing the small classroom feel.  Virtual classrooms offer the ability to broaden course offerings and to train graduates in twenty-first century skills and technology.  

For students, virtual learning could mean fewer fees as universities are able to open up "classrooms" to more students the costs could shrink if not stay stagnate. More importantly, online classes offer flexibility in scheduling allowing students who would otherwise have to tend to work, children, or both to actively engage in college courses. 

Daphne Koller issues the following plea to top universities to open up learning via virtual classrooms in the Fall of 2012 on Ted Talks.  Her argument is for universities to offer courses for free. While some universities may not agree with this point, the bones of her argument are inspirational and certainly attainable. 

In this video, Koller presents a true opportunity to revolutionize education.  Though the reports are divided about which is better - virtual or face-to-face - they all agree that the advanced learner or the learner who is intrinsically motivated will thrive in the virtual world of education.  Koller delivers a logical and cost savvy method of bringing education to all who care to learn.  Kozma, Zucker, and Espinoza (1998) would support the claim in that only those who wish to learn are likely to access college level materials via the Internet.

Taking Koller's message forward, universities could partner up with credit offerings. Allow students to take the course and the instructor they wish to study under rather than whoever their particular university offers. It offers the opportunity to have the best educating the most. Also, to open the doors to education to people around the world regardless of their income. If they can gain access to a computer then they can gain access to an education in a field of their choosing.

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References

Koala Fight Media. [World surrounded by computers digital image]. Retrieved from http://news.onlineschools.org/2012/05/the-online-learning-revolution-steams-through-michigan/

Koller, Daphne. (2012). What we're learning from online learning. TEDTalks. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/U6FvJ6jMGHU.

Kozma, R. B., Zucker, A. A., & Espinoza, C. (1998, October). An evaluation of the virtual high school after one year of operation. SRI International, 4-ii. Retrieved May 25, 2013, from http://thevhscollaborative.org/sites/default/files/public/Evaluation%20after%20yr% 201.pdf

Moe, T., Cuban, L., & Chubb, J. (2009). Virtual schools. Education Next, 9(1). Retrieved May 25, 2013, from http://educationnext.org/virtual-schools/

[Students on computers photograph]. Retrieved from http://mrslundquist.edublogs.org/2010/09/30/great-job-to-the-online-learners/