Barrier Break Down!

Where there this a will there is way. Online courses give every student the ability to succeed. If time is an issue for you in trying to complete your education, an online class will allow you to work at your own pace and for the most part in your own time frame. This is the difference between getting an education and not getting an education for some people. People who work full time and single parents are only two examples of who can benefit from this asynchronous learning.

Students who do not succeed in a traditional classroom, can use online courses to break down their person achievement barriers.  Online classes can be used as a credit recovery method.  Perhaps the freedom to complete the work at their own pace will give them the confidence to succeed. 

On the other end of the spectrum, highly successful students can push forward and take more classes that may not be offered at their "brick and mortar" school. They also have the option of taking higher level classes to earn college credit. 

Some major concerns that we have as a school district starting a 1:1 project are, what about those students do not have Internet assess at home?  How will they complete their assignments in a timely manner?  It is not fair to them to expect the same results as a student who has more resources at their fingertips.  Thus, it can widen the social economical status that already exist in a school setting.  

A teacher's perspective from just today, was that she was sad thinking that all of her live face to face discussions were going to go away.  I tried to reassure her that would not be the case.  It truly is going to be up to her, in her classroom to find the right blend of technology discussion and live discussion.  I tried to encourage her by thinking of the students who might find their voice in her room, if they are allowed to type out their ideas for the class to read in a discussion, verses having to state them face to face with the class.