Training

One model of virtual education is strictly an online experience. I think that virtual education could create a bigger impact when it is used in combination with the traditional classroom model.

A virtual learning environment provides great tools for a teacher or counselor to be able to communicate and interact with students and parents more efficiently. Increasing the communication power of good teachers and counselors will improve each student’s education and college and career planning.

Simply providing tools and content is not enough, most of the current teaching staff will need training to use the new tools. Now that course content and the tools are available at Oregon’s Virtual School District, the next question is what plans are being proposed to provide staff development opportunities to Oregon’s teachers so that they can learn the skills they will need to use this environment?

I would like to see an initiative to train n% of the teachers across the state to use the online tools in their classrooms.