Article Critique

Russell, Glen (2001). Virtual Schools-Real Concerns-What role should online learning play in the future of schooling? Retrieved May 18, 2005 from http://electronic-school.com/2001/9/0901virtualschools.html

Russell uses a historical perspective in order to challenge the reader to consider the impact of introducing online learning into our schools. Russell reaches back to the year 1912 where the London Times reported the execution of seven men for destroying the new weaving machines that would change their lives. This advanced technology would mean that men and women would need to leave their homes and work in factories. What was a family effort, would now take the father from the home, away from the family to perform. Russell asks us to not dismiss this bit of history as something that does not apply to us today. In fact, he encourages us to consider that this is actually a current issue. The authors concern is not with the educator who uses the web as an adjunct activity to reinforce what is taught but rather with the entire curriculum being offered in the virtual classroom. Russell cites three dangers of online home schooling. His first concern is that students may not receive the individualized attention that they require. Second, not enough is known about the benefits of online versus traditional school based programs. There is question of how the sense of community and socialization is developed in the classroom as opposed to the online classroom. Third, he is concerned that as predicted by Samuel Butler in 1864, humans would become subservient to machines.

I found this article to be very thought provoking. I agreed with Mr. Russell’s acknowledgement of the Internet as a valuable tool for supplemental activities. I also feel that in circumstances where expertise does not exist, especially rural school, a student may be able to take a class in a virtual environment. I share Mr. Russell’s concern for the extreme. When the entire curriculum is offered via the virtual classroom, I am concerned about the development of interpersonal skills. For some students the computer screen is a shield from other students. They are able to hide their facial gestures and words that may not be supportive. For other students it may allow them to speak up and participate in ways that they may not have done in the traditional classroom because of fear of acceptance. I did not share Mr. Russell’s concern that students would not get individualized instruction. I think that if the virtual environment is set up and monitored correctly, it would allow the instructor to more closely monitor a student’s progress and intervene more quickly. I do believe the influence of technology is great and that it will indeed have an impact on life, as we know it. I think that it is a bit extreme to think that machines would take over. I believe that the web provides a stimulating medium to be used as an adjunct to the classroom.