Choice through Virtual Schooling

I have commented in previous posts about one way to provide choices to students in schools.  This way is the standard elective course selection and bringing it down to the elementary level.  Another way that I have learned more about recently is virtual schooling.

This is a great concept at the outset.  Provide students with an alternative to traditional schooling by allowing them to take their classes online.  Great idea, right?  Every virtual school runs slightly differently, and some are very specific for students who live within certain school districts.  I researched a school in Wisconsin, Jedi Virtual School, and found some fascinating information.  Students work closely with a Personal Learning Coach in order to develop their education plan.  The school is available for students to work asynchronously beginning in Kindergarten all the way through High School graduation.  This is something I could have possibly partaken in as a child when I moved to Japan.

However, what about the social aspect of childhood development?  Do we really want to keep putting our kids in front of screens to learn all day long?  How does this program really support technological advancement of students and what classes are they able to offer to really teach the material?  I think it could be a great idea, I still have questions though.  I am still pondering whether virtual schooling has developed enough to be truly beneficial for those that enroll, or if it is a way to "take the easy way out" of school.

This is a way to provide students with choice, however, just not your traditional choice option.