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City promotes online classes
Ohanian Comment: I have observed what is called computer-delivered instruction for credit-recovery courses in a number of alternative school programs around the country. They had a lot in common: lots of students sitting in front of computers filling out electronic workbook pages. In one school, the technician in charge of the class didn't even sit in the room with the students but had a desk just outside the classroom door.
Maybe to prevent anybody from escaping?
I had the impression that these "recovery courses" were just there to reward students with missing credits if they were willing to slog it out and put in the time.
And note this line in the article below:
[The project] also seeks to experiment with new staffing and scheduling models.
You don't need a certified teacher to turn on the computers--and turn out the lights at the end of the day. You don't even need a Teach for America alum. When you embrace a"delivery" method of schooling, then a clerk can do the job.
By Yoav Gonen
Virtual education is set to go viral.
City education officials are planning a boom in online learning that could see as many as 80 public schools delivering a large chunk of their instruction via the Internet in the coming school year, Department of Education documents show.
The project -- known as the "Innovation Zone," or iZone -- seeks to build on technology-embracing instructional programs that have quietly been piloted at 10 schools this year.
It also seeks to experiment with new staffing and scheduling models.
The ideas in the works for the fall would lead to:
* As many as 40 high schools using online instruction for credit-recovery courses, independent study or Advanced Placement classes.
* Up to a dozen schools incorporating a "blended learning" model that will deliver up to two-thirds of instruction online in the classroom.
* About 30 elementary or middle schools piloting a variety of "integrated learning systems" software that allows teachers to tailor their math or reading lessons for each student.
Collectively, the projects could help small schools offer more courses, allow schools to share courses or instructors, and link classrooms in different buildings through video-conferencing, the documents show.
"They're trying out not just the technologies but they're trying new configurations of what instruction and class will look like," said Lynette Guastaferro, executive director of Teaching Matters, an organization that helps school leaders rethink their learning environments.
Department of Education officials would not confirm any details of the program, saying it was too early to comment.
Read more:
New York Post
2010-04-07
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/city_promotes_online_classes_TykZepBwl7J6sPZNnbIuVI#ixzz0kX34f7dQ
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