Distance Education

1. Five advantages of distance education are as followed:
i. Students are able to work at their own pace. This is great for self motivated students who are willing to work towards enhancing their education.
ii. Many of the programs are offered free of charge (minus personal expenses for internet, computer, etc) This can be very helpful for families that are using this when their students have disabilities who are already paying a lot of money on other expenses.
iii. Can be done at non-traditional time intervals. If you do not learn best in the mornings, you don’t have to work in the morning. If you have a job you can work around that schedule as well.
iv. It allows students to move on when ready. They are not stuck in a class that is too easy or hard for them.
v. These programs can be utilized by all types of students whether it be gifted/talented, special needs, or those who feel like the traditional school is not for them.

2. Five disadvantages of distance education are as followed:
i. Students may not be motivated enough for this format to be useful for them.
ii. Some programs cost money which is understandable but if it is at a level where it is offered via public education I don’t feel is should cost anything.
iii. Can possibly affect how a child develops social skills
iv. Amount of time spent sitting in front of a computer can be detrimental for children.
v. Requires much more involvement from the parents versus public schooling.

3. I would say that a student is ready to participate in distance education when they are highly self motivated, are comfortable critiquing and being critiqued, and can handle the amount of time required to participate in the curriculum.

4. The sites that I looked at each said that the teachers who were working under their ‘school’ had extensive experience working in an online format (or have taken special workshops to do so), held Washington State Teaching License, and at least 3+ years of actual teaching experience. I would think it is also very important as a teacher in this format you have personal knowledge of technological issues and problems that may occur for students so you can address it quickly if presented that issue at a later date.