Melissa Fleming

SLM 521

E-Learning Elective

E-Learning

After scanning a couple of sites you listed for virtual learning, I have chosen K12 & Class.com to discuss their approach to eLearning. To me they were the most user friendly, easiest for a parent or future student to understand, and I covered both K-8, and high school.

K12 Education for a Lifetime – If I was a parent wanting to find an alternative learning source for my child, this site would address many of my needs. What stuck out the most was that the parent had the option of either enrolling in the K12 Virtual Academy or K12 Homeschool, which some parents are turning to these days. This gives the parent the choice of how best they see their child developing. The layout was very easy to navigate from one section to another, and what I enjoyed was the fact that if I was a teacher in this type of environment, you are given all the lesson plans ahead of time with step-by-step directions, the objectives you need to cover, all required materials, making the lesson as creative as you want, and you are encouraged to give suggestions for additional lessons or readings that would help them along. This takes a lot of pressure off the teachers so they can concentrate on their students more. Parents are able to take a look at sample lessons to get an idea of how a lesson is run. Each section has a very in-depth FAQ link which answers many questions that parent may have. There is a very detailed list of schools that are associated with the program, and when you do enroll you are given a computer by the program so you may complete the course, so this is one less burden for a parent to worry about. Right now they only offer classes for K-7, but within the next few years additional grades will be added. The information, support, and understanding of the site is very well put together in a logical fashion. Date visited – 11/06/03. www.k12.com

Class.com Inc. – What is so great about this site is that it caters more to the students that has had problems in a regular school setting, still want to obtain their diploma, and are seeking an alternative source. The link on how online learning helps meet the NCLB requirements is such an important aspect, since you want to make sure that you are meeting all then necessary requirements. The interactive demos samples are very informative, and can help base how the student will be able to handle the work that is given to them. The resource section gives many links that can answer many question that a future student, parent, teacher may have. One of the best aspects is that is does not leave out those who are not English speaking, but offers learning packages that cater to their specific needs. The curriculum is rich with different classes that will benefit them, and even though these students may have academic problems, they are still challenging. Class.com offers many support systems that can help answer any questions a student or parent may have. The FAQ section answers many important questions one may have. The partners section has links to some of the virtual schools, and has links to other important sources that could benefit you if you choose to go this route. Although this site gives you the specifics of outlining what is expected, it is the links in the partners section that will take you to an actual virtual school that one can enroll in. Again you have a site that is easy to navigate through, and whoever is seeking information, support, and understanding will have most of their questions answered. Date visited – 11/07/03. www.class.com