Open source is free software that has widely domain since the beginning of the internet. The IBM established the first use open source in the 1950’s and 1960’s called Share (Open Source, 2011). It was a group who formed and releases the software. There are many open sources software that are available and for the public use they are: Mozilla Foxfire, Moodle, Word Press, NASA Word Wind, Robotic and many more. The one that interest me the most was Moodle.
Online learning is the vehicle for the 21th century. It is an interaction that connects student to student and student and the instructor. (Pratt, 2005). As an Alternative school teacher, I believe that we can provide potential dropouts a variety of options that can to lead to graduation such as online learning programs. The National Center for Education Statistics stated that second most common reason for offering online learning is to meet individual student needs[1].
Online learning has advanced many students from a different level of educational spectrum from AP to struggling to a student repeating summer school Algebra. Having a virtual alternative school will provide student’s growth, and opportunities to move forward to address all students’ needs because at-risk students brings a unique challenge to any classroom teacher. When students become disengaged, they are more likely to fail due to lack of attendance, poor self-concept, and problems in their home environment.
[1] NCES Distance Education Course for Public Elementary and Secondary School Students, http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/frss/publications/2005010/
Offering high school dropouts the option of completing there course work through distance learning is a great idea, but do you think they would be interested in such an option. Student drop out of school for many reasons, whether its to raise a child, live life in the fast lane, or no desire to get an education; so what would you suggest administrative boards do to make this program successful?
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Because failure is not an options-Leandra, I work with at-risk students, and they want to complete high school. Of course, we have students who have been socially promoted but on the other hand, they need directions. I remember Oprah Windrey stated that she was on her way to reform school. However, there was no more rooms available. She wasn't bad teen. It was that she was being molested by her cousins, mom's boyfriends and etc... I know many teens who's hiding something and that is the reason why they have entered the alternative school.
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