Betty’s Bytes

Virtual schools now provide classes online for half a million American children, some of whom get all their schooling from virtual public schools. These virtual schools are growing like wildfire; debates are occurring everywhere over money, responsibility, accountability and age-appropriateness. According to an article in , “Two models of online schooling predominate. In Florida, Illinois and half a dozen other states, growth has been driven by a state-led, state-financed virtual school that does not give a diploma but offers courses that supplement regular work at a traditional school. Generally, these schools enroll only middle and high school students.” The Renaissance Academy planning committees must consider this option and should include discussion of providing laptops and Internet access in order to provide alternative students with the optimum chance for success.

I am currently a member of a regional committee to help integrate technology in the classroom. We must incorporate activities that engage our students, and to this end, the committee is focused on educating teachers to use modeling, simulation, visualization and gaming to capture the interest of students. The committee includes representatives from NASA and ODU as well as other educators from the Hampton Roads area.