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I'm not saying you are choosing an easy out, I realize the commitment that the online classes require, I myself have taken them in College. I'm worried that some families won't realize the commitment it requires and think of it as an easy out, when it really isn't. I suggested below that maybe we should have students first trying it out to do 1/2 and 1/2 so they can experience both at the same time and chose then which is best for them.

posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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DanLoder, while the online schools may cost less because they don't require the heating, food, sports etc that the B&M does, the B&M schools should still exist for those that DO learn best in that setting and therefore the heating, food, sports etc will still need to be funded. I'm not saying don't do online, I'm just saying that just because online is cheaper for 1 student doesn't mean it lessens the cost of all schooling.

posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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Either/or would not benefit students in general. I agree we need to offer both, and that both do benefit different learning styles etc. Like I posted lower: I'd like to see some sort of 1/2 and 1/2 system to slowly introduce students to the online system if they choose w/their family to do so. That way they don't have to plunge right into it and can decide out of both which one is best.

posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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I agree the choice should be there. My concern is people abusing it or not knowing how to use it. I think maybe it might be beneficial for students first starting in it to perhaps go 1/2 and 1/2 to start with until they know for sure that the online thing is for them, then if it's not they can easily go back to what ever it was they were doing before, I think that would be a nice compromise, to offer both but require some sort of introductry system so people can get a taste of it with out having to plunge straight into it.

posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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I'm not saying we should have the option of online schools. But I think it needs to be limited. Because like you said not every one will do well in xyz setting. Some students need the B&M thing some need online and others need different things still. I'm just worried that some families will abuse it and not use it correctly or not be prepared to use it and it will then hurt the students rather than aid them. I'd just like to see some sort of system for assuring that the students who do enter into the online schooling are infact doing well, and are infact not being hindered in any way. It'd be nice if we could do that better in any form of schooling, B&M included.

posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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Thanks DanLoder for that. I am concerned with online classes mostly that some parents will use it as an out when they really aren't prepared for it or their children aren't prepared for it. I think it takes a certain learning type to be able to succeed in online classes.

posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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I agree and I think a blend would benefit the whole much better than just either or.

posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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Thank you both for your responses. I agree completely that no one thing will fit all students. I think there should be both available to students & families.

posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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What about the kids who just won't do well with online classes? It's a sure fact that online classes just do not work for some people. I for example struggle in online classes that I would otherwise do just fine in person, where as my own mother is doing wonderful in her online college classes.

posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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I think it's wonderful you've found something that works for your family, however not every one can stay home with their kids while they do online classes, I'm worried about the families who think it's an easy out and aren't prepared for the "job" of helping their children with the online classes or who don't work at home and think they can still do it.

posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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I'm not sure what you mean, what part of giving a new computer to a school to benefit more students is socialism?

posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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To clarify, are you suggesting that there be a mix of online and in person for students? As in one student can wake up go to school for a class or two then head home and do some online learning?

posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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That's a concern of mine too. So many families don't have a parent home all day who can help with the online learning process. I think it's vital that if a student is taking the online classes, that no matter their age k-12, they have a parent home to help with learning and to make sure students (because it is a possiblity) aren't cheating in one way or another.

posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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Question for those out there supporting the ORCA:

Do you feel that the public schooling should be eliminated and online schooling should take over? Thanks for any responses, it's good to get every one's views.

posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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Good point, thank you! We do need to come up with some way to combine all the good of both online and in person to help all students. It's just going to take some debating and it'll be tough. But really what we should focus on is the students.

posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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There are down sides, sure some students can be mean and pick on or make fun of other students. But that's the way it's been done for years and years. People have found a way to get through it. It happens when people leave school even. It happens with college students, it even happens with in offices or in corporations. There will always be at least one person who is going to pick on some one.

posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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I do see how it can benefit a group like teen parents (Sadly a growing number), however the athletes, and students with jobs etc, have all gotten along before. I worked at McDonalds after school and on weekends for 2 years along with being on the dance team in high school and it had zero negative affect. Infact I think it motivated me more. I didn't want to miss out on any dance team events so I tried harder to keep my grades up to not be academically disqualified, and I of course didn't want to work at McDonald's forever so I worked harder knowing I'd have an easier time finding a better job with the more education I get.

posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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What about students who just don't learn well online? A lot of them may not realize it's the online setting that is making it harder for them to learn, and blame it on them selves. I know I personally did this with some online schooling until I really was able to step back and look at it. How do you expect a K-5 student to be able to do this? I don't even think a lot of middle school kids would be able to look at it objectively. And what do you say also to the idea of all the money being spent on 1 student instead of benefiting many more by being spent on a school that has too few computers or too few teachers?

posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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Why not put that computer to use at the public school where many students will get use out of it? A lot of the classes were too big to be able to use the computers as a whole during a study project. Students would then have to sit out.

posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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Yes! Very well said! While I am in college my younger brother is only 7 and in 1st grade. He quite often complains of bad days, but other days when I know he's had a good night's sleep etc, he doesn't want to leave, and he looks forward to the day tomorrow. Because he lives out in a rural area where neighbors are about 1/2 mile to more apart it's very important for him to be able to experience the social side of school as well. I know the side of being picked on, I was a social awkward in middle & high school (Probably still am :P) but I still think I got more out of school by going in than I would have online.

posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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