After
reading the different scenarios I firmly believe that schools are not equip to
handle changes that relate to virtual schooling. Small school districts lack
the funding to hire teachers or have to deal with teacher shortage in core
curriculum or electives. This includes providing students options to select another
teaches for courses due to teacher and students conflicts or if a parent decide
their child should have a teacher whom they trust with their learning.
Regardless of a child’s previous education was, school districts do not have
the funds to assure a teacher that students who transfer into their district
will meet the annual standardize test scores to benefit the teacher. A Facilitator must be given release time in
order to service students and provide the documentation needed for them to receive
academic credit. Schools do not have extra personnel or funds budgeted to make
these accommodations without making adjustments to teacher work schedules. When
students are ill and will miss numerous days of school because of their
illness, school districts have a limited number of instructors who can visit
the students and present their lessons. Even though these scenarios are
examples of the limited services that schools can offer students, these changes
will not occur over night. As state school funding is shifting for public
schools, I see my school district only confronting a few of these situations
based on traditional answers. They offer limited courses with selected teachers
teaching the course, requesting teachers to do more without time or financial
support, and provide face-to-face learning for students who have medical
issues.
Great response. I agree with you regarding the challenges faced by school districts to meet the needs and funding for virtual schooling. I do think that some districts are ahead of others as they have more funding. I think all schools districts are struggling with the implementation of technology and online learning. I think that as more teachers gain the knowledge and experience to design and implement online learning the changes will gain acceptance and be implemented quicker.
ReplyDeleteJudith, I think that it is very difficult to implement technology since by the time implementation is ready new technology is ready to launch. Also, teachers need to be better prepare for this educational change that is only coming more quickly day by day. But in the same breath, those implementing need to help those using it especially if they have no clue where to start or how to adapt.
DeleteI agree with much of what you both are referring to about funding and technology implementation. What I also see as affecting the way technology is impacting education is that by the time schools make the technology changes in the curriculum or school buildings another layer of technology changes are in place. When will education be able to keep up?
DeleteNothing will change the gap in funding for schools and I think it is so sad to know how many districts are struggling to give their students basic technology access and tools to better prepare them in life. I do think that it is important to realize the amount and quality of free technology available to schools now. With Google alone, many things that were once a struggle and now available with only an email. I hope that helps to begin closing the gap.
ReplyDeleteWith all the free technology that is available, many school districts have not invested with the upgrade of classrooms. In many urban and some suburban school districts, their rooms are improperly wired or upgraded with technology
Deletejust to say they did it. I would really like to see the funds implemented with a plan to make a difference. I have also seen where school districts spend money on technology and the teachers cannot use the equipment because of financial constraints or they lose contracts with certain vendors. Do you think teachers should be allocated funds to accommodate their classrooms?
Good question Blair. I think they should be given a budget for supplies including the technology. I am currently working with school districts to help them implement new technology. One lab has computers that are 10 years old. I assisted the teacher with a grant to secure the new equipment. He will have to install the equipment himself and it is a big task. It will take him most of the summer to get the equipment installed. If he had access to a yearly budget to purchase equipment it would have been easier and his students could have been working with updated technology.
DeleteFunding is the biggest issue in my opinion. Think about all the budget cuts in our state in the last 5 years. It seems like every time we turn around they are cutting something. technology is so expensive that i wonder if and when all schools will have technology needed
ReplyDeleteI'm still trying to find out what happen to the education funding that were cut by our state representations that would be useful to schools and adding technology for students use. How can we get what's rightly ours back?
DeleteAnother factor is school enrollment. During 2008-2009, there was huge population shift from our state, as parents and families moved out of state to find employment we lost over one million students. I recall this information as it was information I had to research for a class assignments that I was enrolled in at the time. A decrease in population of such magnitude meant a decrease in tax dollars. I think the graduation requirement to include online learning was a good move for Michigan. It put education back on the priority list.
DeleteBlair,
DeleteI wish I knew where that money went! I hope one day the state starts to put more money into our education system
Great point Will. I wish that politics and education could find a better way of communicating and connecting. They continue to make cuts to things they do not understand making the situation worse.
ReplyDeleteWe usually find out the political side when it is found that the funds have not been properly funnel to the classroom or added back in the state budget line item.
DeleteYes Politics = Money when we should worry about Education = Learning
DeleteThat is a concern j have with technology too technology is a business and one that schools are going to have to pay to be a part of. Someone's always trying to make a buck
DeleteDefinitely not teachers running the funding department. I wonder what that would like if it were possible.
ReplyDelete