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Making Customized Education a Reality
by Jenny Hooie and Sue Ritzler
Imagine the ability to brainstorm solutions to classic educational problems and have the freedom to implement them immediately. So often, a staff develops ideas and strategies that will truly improve the instructional experience only to have them blocked by the realities of the traditional setting. Virtual options can provide the structure and the tools to implement and test these ideas quickly and inexpensively.
Technology will revolutionize education?
When considering change, especially technology-related change, many educators write it off as the next fad and move on. This comes from years of hearing that technology would revolutionize the classroom, only to find out 10 years later that not much has changed. One of the main issues when considering the possibilities of virtual education is the belief that it must be all or nothing. In other words, a student must choose online or traditional. However, this is not the case. In fact, students may select online options to support or supplement their traditional education. In this time of tight budgets and educational cutbacks, online options can provide students and districts opportunities that have not historically been possible.
Why consider online opportunities?
Consider these scenarios…
- Eighteen-year-old John thought he would graduate from high school this spring but was informed he failed the second semester of English IV. He balked at the idea of having to wait for second semester of the following school year for an opportunity to recover that required half credit.
- Sally is extremely interested in pursuing a medical career and would like to improve her chances for success by taking a Latin course, knowing many medical terms are derived from Latin roots. However, Latin is not offered at her local high school.
- My Town Local School District’s guidance counselor has reported to her high school principal that 10 students have expressed interest in taking a Mandarin Chinese course; yet, with such low numbers, the district cannot feasibly offer the course.
- Ms. Smith, a veteran teacher of 30 years, has been fortunate enough to have traveled extensively and has spent significant amounts of time overseas. She would love to find a venue in which share her experiences with students; but she barely has time to cover required course content in her current social studies class.
These scenarios are common challenges faced by students, school districts, and teachers across the state of Ohio and beyond. These same challenges can become opportunities for districts to investigate high-quality, online educational options.
Support for public schools—right now
Online options can provide opportunities that students would not have otherwise and offer students a truly individualized learning experience. One example is TRECA (Tri-Rivers Educational Computer Association), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support and enhance public education. Districts, buildings, and families can choose from a variety of flexible online options designed to meet the needs of individual learners. In addition to offering a fully functioning online school (TRECA Digital Academy), TRECA offers options to districts that are both customizable and affordable. These offerings are called iClassroom, iCredit, and iCourse.
iClassroom
iClassroom enables school districts to provide their students with alternatives for completion of required, elective, and upper-level courses. iClassroom provides scheduling flexibility as school districts may choose to offer iClassroom courses during a specific period of the day with students reporting to a computer lab; or they may offer the courses outside school hours, expecting the students to complete the coursework on their own time at home. In both scenarios students are supported by certified, highly qualified teachers and can participate within a safe, online learning community.
TRECA provides the iClassroom course instructor, who will assist students and grade all assignments. TRECA also provides the hosting Learning Management System. School districts maximize cost-effectiveness by providing local administration including calendar, enrollment, and credit assignment.
Through iClassroom those 10 students from My Town Local School District might schedule Mandarin Chinese in their regular schedule. At the assigned time all 10 students would go to the computer lab and log in to the course. With a highly qualified teacher and flexible curriculum, students would have the opportunity to work at their own pace but could also enjoy collaborative time with their fellow students in the face-to-face lab environment.
iCredit
Many students find themselves in a credit “hole” unable to dig themselves out. The iCredit option could provide the student the opportunity to make up courses on their own time at their own pace. The iCredit option is a perfect fit for students like John who have fallen behind and are in danger of not graduating. Credit recovery helps students get back on track.
The iCredit option offered by TRECA also enables students to take courses not available through their home school district. All current TRECA Digital Academy courses are available as iCredit course offerings. The courses are flexible, allowing students to progress at their own pace. And because students enroll directly into the school, TDA provides all instructional services, including attendance, grade/credit assignment, and transcripts.
iCourse
Often teachers in a traditional setting have creative ideas for course or thematic units but no idea how to offer the opportunity to students. The iCourse option empowers local school districts to develop specialized online courses, which they may then use for any student within their own district. Interested teachers complete professional development training to acquire the necessary skills. iCourse training focuses on writing high-quality lessons and assessments using 21st-century skills and a learning management system. TRECA serves as the hosting agent and provides the technical support so teachers and students can enjoy successful online experiences. Courses may be tailored to the district's school calendar and the local district has full control over the credit granted.
iCourse has opened up a new, cost-effective way to provide unique educational opportunities to students. Several talented teachers in innovative school districts across Ohio have authored elective courses such as Science in Ohio, Holocaust with a Capital H, Mythology, and Practical Financial Literacy.
Implement a virtual opportunity
The real question is how do educators make learning relevant and personal for students? Online education is not the only solution, but it is a powerful and flexible tool. It provides the flexibility for administrators and staff to solve real problems with creative solutions and meet the ever-changing needs and demands of students. Take a chance—design a solution and engage your students through an online opportunity now. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain!
Jenny Hooie is Chief Instructional Officer and Sue Ritzler works in Partner Support Services for TRECA (http://www.treca.org).
