New report attempts to de-bunk myths of online K-12 education
A report featuring in the Statesman Journal has attempted to "de-bunk" the five so-called myths associated with online K-12 education: Myth #1: Online school is the same as home schooling. Truth: The two are very different; Myth #2: Students spend all of their time in front of a computer. Truth: Students use textbooks...and interactive curricula; Myth #3: Virtual learning is essentially &ldquo;teacher-less.&rdquo; Truth: Certified teachers do the teaching; Myth #4: Online students are isolated. Truth: Students regularly socialise and interact with peers; Myth #5: Virtual school isn&rsquo;t as academically challenging. Truth: Virtual schools follow the state curriculum.
Allison Galvin

With the upcoming school year soon approaching, summer is a great time to consider your child’s education options for the fall. At our school, Oregon Connections Academy, the state’s largest tuition-free virtual public charter school for students in grades K-12, we receive inquiries from hundreds of families considering switching their students to online school.

Virtual schooling isn’t for everyone, but it is helpful for students who, for a variety of reasons, learn better outside of the traditional classroom setting. Virtual school students still benefit from the resources a public school provides — such as state-certified teachers and a curriculum that follows state standards — and can learn from anywhere there is an Internet connection with cutting-edge technology tools.

At Oregon Connections Academy, we survey our parents every year to find out why they choose our school for their children. The top reasons from this year’s survey include: 48 percent want a change from their local school; 46 percent require or want greater flexibility; 33 percent want a safe learning environment; and 25 percent of parents want more involvement with their child’s education. Parents also cite health concerns and bullying in a previous school as significant reasons for enrolling their child in Oregon Connections.

Nationwide, there are now more than 315,000 students in 30 states getting their entire educations from fulltime online public schools. Despite the growing popularity of online education though, there is still some confusion regarding how virtual school works. Here are five of the most common myths about online education:

Myth #1: Online school is the same as homeschooling.

Truth: The two are very different.

Virtual public schools deliver education to your students in the comfort of your home. Unlike homeschooling, in a virtual school a state-licensed teacher instructs students using a rigorous curriculum that is aligned to state standards. At Oregon Connections Academy, parents are not responsible for teaching their students. Instead, a parent or other guardian acts as the student’s Learning Coach, encouraging learning and monitoring progress in the home.

Myth #2: Students spend all of their time in front of a computer.

Truth: Students use textbooks, pencils, microscopes, and interactive curricula.

Virtual schooling offers valuable technology for teachers, parents and students to manage and track assignments, complete coursework and communicate with one another. The computer is just one of many tools virtual school students use to learn. Students also use offline resources like textbooks and other materials. One of the biggest benefits of online learning is the flexibility, which allows children to attend classes or do schoolwork anywhere there is an Internet connection. This flexibility also allows students to do research at a local museum, library or other location “unplugged” from the computer.

Myth #3: Virtual learning is essentially “teacher-less.”

Truth: Certified teachers do the teaching.

Many teachers at Oregon Connections Academy and other online schools report that they have more one-on-one time with their students than they did when they worked in a traditional brick-and-mortar classroom. Virtual public school teachers are specially trained for this type of learning environment and they are able to personalize instruction to meet each student’s needs. Teachers connect with students and Learning Coaches on a regular basis by phone and email. Teachers also interact with their students through LiveLesson sessions, interactive online classroom sessions where teachers deliver instruction and lead discussions.

Myth #4: Online students are isolated and won’t have opportunities to socialize.

Truth: Students regularly socialize and interact with peers.

Just like most kids these days, students who attend virtual schools interact with their friends using text, IM, or talking to each other on the phone. Beyond technology, they also get together to hang out at the park or other places after school hours. At Oregon Connections Academy, we host hundreds of field trips across the state for our families each year. With the flexibility of online learning, students also find they can participate in more extracurricular activities that occur during the traditional school day, like sports or volunteering in the community.

Myth #5: Virtual school isn’t as academically challenging as brick-and-mortar school.

Truth: Virtual schools follow the state curriculum, and students learn at their own pace and level of difficulty.

Students attending virtual schools like Oregon Connections Academy should be prepared for a challenging, comprehensive curriculum that meets rigorous state standards. Just like brick-and-mortar schools, virtual schools serve a wide range of students including those who are ready for more advanced level courses and those who need more individualized support to excel. The individualized learning plan allows students to work at their own pace, whether ahead or behind their peers. Oregon Connections Academy has a unique instructional program designed for gifted and talented students, as well as a full slate of honors, Advanced Placement and even dual credit college courses.

Allison Galvin of Salem is a high school principal with Oregon Connections Academy. She can be reached through the school at 503-897-2272, 800-382-6010 or by visiting www.OregonConnectionsAcademy.com.

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Contact Justin Much at (503) 769-6338 or jmuch@salem.gannett.com.