VIRTUAL SCHOOLS

Virtual Schools

Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of “Virtual Schools” in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on “Virtual Schools” and its relation with “development of educational institutions”. The research also analyzes many aspects of “Virtual Schools” and tries to gauge its effect on “improvement of educational background” existing in today's world. Finally the research describes various factors which are responsible for “development of Virtual Schools” and tries to describe the overall effect of “Virtual Schools” on “educational improvement and development” (Cooperrider, 2000).

Table of Contents

Abstract2

Impact of virtual schools and their impact on educational development4

Understanding Web 2.0 technologies8

Leading schools in the 21st century11

Conclusion13

References14

Impact of virtual schools and their impact on educational development

Section 01: Introduction

The concept of virtual schools has been long developed and identified for the purpose and objective of helping students to learn and educate themselves and utilize their skills and abilities in the light of learning and mentoring themselves. The sole purpose of developing and establishing virtual schools is for student and pupil development; the main reason is for those individuals that have been facing financial problems, for those who are unable to bear their college fee or simply those who are unable to incorporate routine schooling and study patterns while working in any company or enterprise.

Pros and Cons of Virtual Schools

The pros and cons of maintaining and establishing a virtual school could be weighed in several situations and circumstances. Let us first discuss the merits and advantages of establishing virtual schools. Amongst the major benefits, virtual schools aim and pertain to provide the facility of working at your own pace. In addition, individuals make way manage time and doing more activities in comparison to a normal setting. Furthermore, individuals make way for understanding and developing independence with reference to context of freedom of thought, act and expression; also make way to pertain for class work competition, leading to strong development of fantastic teacher or instructor communications.

Moreover, they also allow learners to experience situations that are difficult (even impossible) to achieve in reality, due to a number of factors: including cost, time, and safety concerns. They allow developers to construct learner scenarios facilitating trainees to work through complex situations (i.e. community wide disasters), that are difficult, to simulate in a real-life situation, and may not allow for optimal teaching-learning moments. In addition, further benefits include improved self-monitoring, problem recognition and solving, improved short- and long-term memory, increased social skills and increased self-efficacy. Finally, virtual simulations and serious games support the development of various skills including analytical and spatial, strategic, recollection, psychomotor skills, and visual selective attention (Peterson, 2010).

In contrast to the merits mentioned above, there are several disadvantages to the overall system of virtual schools. Cheating has been a bone of contention, since students and pupils have all forms and abilities to make way for gaining and obtaining information from anywhere, since there is no proper system of scrutiny or investigation, as to how the admission was given in the first ...