Reflection 10

What?

I thought it would be fun to talk about online courses. The benefits and the draw backs. Recently, there has been an upward climb of courses offered online. I have recently found that some elementary school have gone strictly online. While at times I feel that would be handy, I don't think that should be implemented especially in the younger grades.

So What?
Why am I bringing this up? Well, as a society, we have become somewhat reliant on the latest technology. Although technology has brought many much needed conveniences, it also hinders are interpersonal experiences. Often times people use Facebook, texting and IM and forgo face-to-face communication. If we start redefining school as simply a program that teaches and leave out any type of verbal communication, I wonder how our society would be. I do, however, feel that there are benefits to online school programs. For students that have parents in the military or parents that move often, its a great way for them to stay within the "class" year round. I think teachers would start to see students that moved constantly having less "gaps" in their education.
Now What?
Although I think there are benefits to online education, I don't think that is should substitute classroom education. In the classroom we learn more then just the basic facts, we learn about how to interact with others. If students at a young age aren't given that opportunity I just wonder how they will be when they have a job that forces them to interact with others on a daily basis.