Week 5

Title: Virtual Legality: Unions and Home Schoolers Attack Internet Education

Bibliography: Dunn, Josh (2006). Virtual Legality: Unions and Home Schoolers Attack Internet Education. Retrieved May 7, 2007, from LookSmart Web site: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0MJG/is_4_/ai_nl16832465.

Summary: The author of this article talked about how in the past schools have tried to bring technology to the classroom and how now technology makes it possible to take the student out of the classroom. This would be the virtual classroom. In this program the students learn in their own homes presumably under adult supervision. A certified teacher facilitates the online class and assigns grades. The schools usually provide resources to the students that include textbooks, a computer, a printer, and sometimes an Internet connection. The author then went on to cover recent lawsuits that were brought against school districts that offer virtual classroom programs. Teacher unions brought the suit forward. The unions argued that the school district had broken the law by enrolling students that were not physically attending their schools. To date no court of law has found in favor of the teachers’ unions that the author knew about. The author notes that the union’s concerns most likely go beyond the legal concerns they claimed in court and probably more realistically have to do with work security. It is logical to think that if more children learn at home fewer students will be in the schools and therefore the need for teachers would decrease.

Reaction: I thought this article was interesting and relevant to higher education even though its focus is on the K-12 educational system. It is relevant because the court seems to endorse online education in the K-12 system where student are less likely to be self-directed learners than students of higher education. The article did not address the completion rate for students enrolled in the virtual classroom programs. I also wonder if the argument about the teacher’s union is valid. Someone would have to teach the students whether they are online or in the classroom.

Title: Employers warm up to online education: Online Degree Programs Offer Flexibility and Cost Advantages That Are Becoming Increasingly Popular

Bibliography: Merriman, Kimberly (2006). Employers warm up to online education: online degree programs offer flexibility and cost advantages that are becoming increasingly popular. Retrieved May 7, 2007, from LookSmart Web site: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3495/is_1_51/AI_16045106.

Summary: In this article, Ms. Merriman interviewed training professionals from several large corporations. The professionals said that they had seen, in the recent years, an increase in employees seeking degrees that could be completed via online or blended classes. Many large corporations participate in a tuition reimbursement program because they hope to attract and retain the best employees. Some schools that offer online programs have begun to partner with big corporations to offer specific programs for the employees of certain corporations. The schools offer the employer reduced tuition costs. The employers benefit by employing a more knowledgeable workforce, increased hiring and retention, cost savings, customized programs, and convenience. Students do not have to commute to a campus in order to complete a degree. The author states, while online education often carried a stigma in the past, a majority of college and university leaders now believe that the quality of online courses is equal or superior to face-to-face instruction. The author does mention that some online programs are better than others and suggests checking the website of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation for a database of schools and programs that have accreditation through agencies recognized by the council or the U.S. Department of Education.

Reaction: The article was well written and relevant. I felt the author had done extensive research on the topic before writing the article; she interviewed corporate training professionals. Before reading this article I was unaware of the council’s searchable database. I fear that too often individuals assume that online degree programs are not as rigorous as face-to-face programs. It is the consumer’s burden to research schools and programs to asses the value of the program.