I saw a news story recently about a school district that is now offering high school/grade school "online" coursework. When you think about it this may be the "wave of the future" for education.
The advantages as I see them are;
1) Disruptive students do not impair the learning of children as they do in a classroom situation.
2) Classes could be self paced and there would be no need to "dumb it down" to the needs of the dullest students.
3) Lectures can be just as effective on a computer screen. Another advantage is they can be reused for multiple classes AND can be replayed by the student if they need to review the material.
4) There would be less need for these huge schools and the transportation costs associated with bringing all the students to one place.
5) No "snow days"....LOL
6) A wider variety of subjects could be taught.
7) Labor costs would be reduced. A teacher could handle many more students with out the need to conduct the lecture portion of classroom teaching. Testing and grading would become automated. The teachers that remain involved in the education process could devote their time to answering students questions.
8) Many parents use school as a babysitting service so they can work. This issue could be overcome by sending those students to a school building to do their computer learning. Since most districts employ "para-professionals" these people could sit in with the students to maintain order.
9) You could do away with the unnecessary programs such as school sports/bands/clubs. If students want to participate in these activities they can join a private club- there is no reason these activities should be paid for out of tax revenue.
I think this idea is likely to take off in the future. It will probably meet a lot of resistance from teachers unions but that is to be expected.
(btw- I know SOMEONE will point out my gramatical errors....what do you want? I went to public school....lol)
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