RSA1: Are There Differences in the Organizational Structure and Pedagogical Approach of Virtual and Brick-and-Mortar Schools?

Resource of the Week: A Comparison of Organizational Structure and Pedagogical Approach: Online versus Face-to-face by Donovan A. McFarlane, Frederick Taylor Universityhttp://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ917871

Topic

On this week's journey into educational technology two virtual schools were reviewed and compared to one another. Through reviewing two separate virtual schools, Ohio Virtual Academy (OVA) and North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS), there seems to be some definite pros and cons to selecting a virtual school for a child’s source of education. While both schools provide public education for students in their prospective states, OVA is geared toward a more complete program, where NCVPS students can select to enroll in individual classes or they can enroll in a complete program of study. Differences may not initially be clear between one virtual school and another, or the implications those differences may have on student achievement.

Article

There is an interesting article entitled: A Comparison of Organizational Structure and Pedagogical Approach: Online versus Face-to-face by Donovan A. McFarlane of Frederick Taylor University. This article breaks down the terminology that we hear being used so frequently in today’s educational community, terms such as distance learning, e-learning, virtual learning, virtual schools, etc. All educators should know these terms and be able to differentiate between them. As we look to build technology into the foundation of education and it is a building block of today’s society, we must have educators that can understand how to use technology in various ways and have an in-depth understanding of the various ways it can be incorporated into education. (McFarlane, 2001)

Relationship

The online teacher has a more advanced understanding of many of these concepts and in many ways may be more prepared of the technology aspect of modern education. The video shows the interview of Holly Mortimer, an online teacher. (Edutopia, 2010)The online teacher has a very different day than a teacher in a traditional school. The online teacher has to be prompt and support students with immediate feedback. The accountability is much heavier for the online teacher. There is more data available through online classrooms than in traditional classrooms. Those who are married to creating their own curriculum, then online teaching may not be the way to go. Though online teachers are separated from other faculty, they are more involved directly with the students that they teach.

The virtual classroom is here and being used more often than many people would think. It is important as an educator to stay abreast of these changes to the idea of normal, and learn the new ways to reach and help support the academic achievement and growth of students. As a reading coach, I want to be able to help my teachers understand the benefits of engaging students through technology. Some of the ideals that have been championed by Mortimer can translate into the general education classroom. Understanding the importance of timely feedback, instituting a blog or wiki that allows student to turn in assignments and receive feedback electronically as well.

References

Edutopia. (2010). One Teacher’s Take: How Holly

         Mortimer Took Her Teaching Career Online. Retrieved from  

         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSd6Wc8AEhE#t=51

McFarlane, D. (2010) A comparison of organizational structure

and pedagogical approach: online versus face-to-face. Journal of     

Educators Online. 8 (1), 1-43. Retrieved from

http://eric.ed.gov/? id=EJ917871