Adolescent attitudes towards virtual learning

• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/d20002753

This study was designed to examine adolescents' attitudes towards virtual schooling. Virtual schooling may be defined as any public or private organization that delivers instruction via the Internet. The rationale for this study is based on the increased number of adolescents opting to complete some or all of their secondary education through a virtual school. In eight years, approximately half of all adolescents in the United States will earn some or all of their high school credit in a virtual classroom (LaPrade, Marks, Gilpatrick, Smith, & Beazley, 2011). In each case, the student's motivation for completing one or more virtual courses is different. Regardless of their reason, it is clear that virtual schooling has become a popular pathway for students enrolled in K-12 education. Participants included eight high school adolescents who were enrolled either full or part-time at the Rolling Green Hills Virtual School. Each adolescent completed both an open ended questionnaire and an interview to determine adolescent attitudes towards virtual schooling. The research revealed that adolescents believe there are four benefits to virtual learning: flexibility with place & time/time of day, access to schooling when brick & mortar is not possible, access to courses when/if desired, and individualized pacing/coursework. Additionally, adolescents believed there are three disadvantages to virtual learning: teacher access & willingness, difficulty with collaboration, and the requirement for more self-motivation.