Virtual Schooling K-12

Many people support virtual schooling as a way of targeting students who are not comfortable in "traditional" learning environments, and while virtual learning may be helpful for some, a balance must be achieved between virtual and face-to-face learning. It's even stated in this video by those who support virtual learning that students cannot have an entirely virtual learning environment. 

Table 1 on page 69 of the article above shows percent completion rates of students in virtual K-12 schooling. These percentages are overall very low. This, combined with the extensive growth of students in these virtual programs, brings forth a certain skepticism about the effectiveness of entirely virtual schools, which were once regarded as being full of highly motivated and advanced students likely to go on to four-year colleges. 
On a personal note, my girlfriend, Kaila, went to ECOT for virtual schooling for her junior year, then returned to public school for her senior year. Upon her return she had to take in her transcripts to get credit for her ECOT classes, and her counselor told us that Kaila was one of the first students she had seen to return from virtual schooling with credits. This says something about the rate of success students have in all virtual learning environments. 

Overview: 

• The number of students enrolled in online K-12 schools has increased drastically in the past decade 
• Overall completion rates for these online courses are frighteningly low in some cases 
• Rather than going entirely virtual, we need to find a balance in our education to achieve success 

Works Cited: 
Michael K. Barbour, et al. "Academic Performance, Course Completion Rates, And Student Perception Of The Quality And Frequency Of Interaction In A Virtual High School." Distance Education 34.1 (2013): 64-83. Academic Search Complete. Web. 30 Sept. 2013. 

This article details studies done concerning overall student performance in Virtual High School based on different factors such as student-teacher interaction. The article compares previous ideas with newer, up to date information. The analysis and general reliability of the data used is also addressed within the article itself. I find the information provided to be helpful in determining that completely virtual schooling is very challenged in creating meaningful personal interaction and is very unlikely to be a good option.  

Edutopia. "Education on Demand at Virtual High School." Online video clip. Youtube. Youtube, 8 Jun. 2012. Web. 30 Sep. 2013. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58omxbtlINI 

This video demonstrates some benefits of using virtual schooling alongside brick and mortar schools. Students have the ability to take courses they otherwise couldn't take, as well as take courses at their own pace. However, it is important that they have a facilitator and it is stated in the video that it is not a good idea to try and have an entirely virtual learning experience. This comes from Edutopia and looks at an actual school environment with testimonials from real students. I definitely agree that while there may be substantial benefits to online/virtual learning, there must be a balance for students to have the most success.