Can Elementary Students Really Learn in Virtual Schools?

"Ok, this might be a weird question, but do you think my daughter could be a genius?  I mean, look at her!  She's not even two and she can work my iPhone.  Watch!  She knows exactly how to use the 'home' button and can find the folder where I have the games for the kids.  I never taught her how to do that.  Do you think other kids can do that at her age?"
 
(Photo courtesy of Jason D. O'Grady from The Apple Core, Parenting by iPad; Godsend or iBribery?)

That's just a snippet of a conversation I recently had with a close friend, who also happens to be a teacher.  I think I let her down by explaining that in my opinion (and from research I've read) most kids who are exposed to technology early on are able to manipulate it with ease and little direction.  This led us into a discussion of teaching methods today.  Playing the devil's advocate, I asked my friend how often students use technology in her classroom.  Knowing that the answer was about sixty minutes a week tops, I proposed that if her daughter had an aptitude for technology like she thought, would an hour of technology usage a week be enough?  I suggested that we're not fully utilizing our students' interests and skill sets because we're still teaching them with 20th century methods.  She and I began to debate if virtual or online schools are really appropriate for elementary age students.  Obviously we're suspicious of students learning how to read without being taught by a teacher, but can an online reading program composed of balanced literacy techniques really replace a traditional classroom? What about math or science or gym?

Where's the Data?
Unfortunately, there is little data on elementary students enrolled in virtual schools.  As of the 2010-11 school year, no more than six percent of elementary students "attend" virtual schools.  Though for those that do, many parents are pleased with the quality of education that their children are receiving through these online schools.  Elizabeth Friscia, who has two daughters enrolled in online schools, commented that it took one of her daughters a year and a half to realize that she was fully in charge of her own work.  A concept, Friscia noted, that students don't often understand until college. In an article on Parents.com, the online form of the popular Parents magazine, parents are expected to play a larger role in online education than they would in a traditional school.  Because elementary students need more guidance, parents must play the role that a classroom teacher would in a traditional school by keeping up with assignments and providing assistance.  Virtual schools were originally designed to reach populations that traditionally are seen as having less access to a quality education like students in rural locations and minorities.  Though, it's these groups that are experiencing the least success.  Minorities are less likely to enroll, but more likely to drop out.  In fact, research shows that advanced students tend to do better with virtual schooling.  I can't say that I know of many elementary students that drop out of school, but the premise is parallel to "checking out" during the school day.  Clearly, there must be more research on virtual elementary schools in order to fully compare the traditional school experience to online schools.  Like the old adage of a tree falling in the forest, does a quality education exist if students aren't there to experience it? 

Taking on an Active Role in Schooling
Many parents today are passive when it comes to their child's education.  It's sad to see kindergarteners come to school each morning with their backpacks still filled from the day before.  When a parent is too busy to help a five year old with a school project, there is a disconnect between school and home.  The family below discusses how they have decided to use the virtual school in their state to give them extra time with their children during their formative years. 

 













Yet, if parents aren't involved, the online school model will probably not be as effective as it should be for most students.  Along those lines, internet and computer access may not be consistently for parents and students with financial constraints.  As mentioned above, it's these students that are being targeted for online school enrollment, but these are often those who do not have the access. 

Solutions?  No, but alternatives!
A year ago, I interviewed the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum in my school district.  We discussed the possibility of 1:1 access for our students in the future.  When I questioned the lack of internet capabilities for many of our district's population, he explained that they were currently working with local businesses, the community, and technology companies to provide optics that would enable all our students to be able to connect to the internet at home with their devices.  Not only would the schools be connected, but so would the local hospital and other businesses from in town and all the way to Chicago (about 40 miles).  I saw this as an opportunity for my students in a traditional setting, but I hadn't considered it from a virtual schooling standpoint.  As pointed out by Aaron Goldberg, virtual school environments can connect special needs' students, those needing homebound services, or even a flu outbreak. 

I'm still not sold on elementary students trading in traditional schools for an online school, but given more data, I'll reconsider.  After all, if a two year old can work an iPhone, a five year old might be able to email his homework to the teacher.