I've had the pleasure over the last few years of leading the North Carolina Virtual Public School and partnering with world class providers and vendors on behalf of North Carolina districts, schools, and students. In the past few weeks, I have seen some decision making in three states around the country that baffle me as to the research, track record, and success of state virtual schools. The decision making really boils down to two issues. First, do these states really believe that a state virtual school is not a partner in the future of educating children in their state? Second, are they willing to make a decision on behalf of a predator in terms of "a one size fits all e-learning solution"? The response to both questions is a critical discussion for state, district, and school leaders as we work on "blending instruction" and then ultimately "transforming education" in our nation.
Let's begin this discussion by defining the term "partner". I have been so blessed to work with Florida Virtual, Idaho Digital Learning, Mississippi Virtual, Virtual Virginia, Aventa, Wimba, Blackboard, Moodle, IBM, Second Life, Discovery, Active Worlds, Emantras, Lockheed Martin, and a host of others over the past two years that really get the key understanding of bended education - it is about transforming teaching and learning not just about the cool tools and technology. When districts, schools, and students interact with state virtual schools they not only get the advantages of these partner relationships, but they gain insights into free tools and processes as well on the web. State virtual schools work with state standards. They provide "teacher led" instruction. They understand the "real culture" of "leaders" and "support staff" and partner with them on solutions for delivering, leading, and supporting blended learning. In short, they are so much more than a "one stop solution for content". State virtual schools are partners.
Now let's shift our focus to the "predators" I see on the national landscape. Any provider and/or vendor who promises to do it cheaper, faster, and better needs the same vetting process one would use for any major curriculum decision. What is the research behind their promises? Where is the competitive data? What results are present? Who have you consulted in terms of their claims? A phone call to your state virtual school is a good place to start. In many cases, you'll find what we find in North Carolina - that there is a room at the table for both state virtual schools and partners for school districts. However, there is no room for "predators" trying to sell a product in tough economic times. These predators will claim when pressed that they are not responsible for "staying around" to support the content. They will also tell you, as they have me in private, that they are often not aligned to state standards and not relying on certified teachers in your state to deliver the content.
Moreover, can they individualize for students? Can they reassess and provide modular instruction? Can they link curriculum development to mobile content based on the needs of your students? In short, who is providing the teaching and learning behind the teaching and learning? At state virtual schools, you can be assured that the best in class teachers, educators, and leaders in your state are the ones doing this work to make the "relationship" piece of blended learning engaging and meaningful to students.
So, do your homework and don't be preyed upon. As we have learned from Disrupting Class, Born Digital, and The World is Open - lots of folks provide good and bad content. But, who rates that content? Who assesses it? Your state virtual school does - that's who. The trick really is who has the expertise to help you in the "context" of what you do every day? As you have often painfully learned in your districts and schools in the past, the ability to deliver a non-blended "product" based upon the "customization" needs of your district, often determines how successful the "partnership" will be from the beginning. Don't make similar mistakes with "blended learning". Get the facts and integrate solutions in your districts. At North Carolina Virtual and via my partners around the nation, we are not seeking to "prey" upon your needs. Rather, we are seeking to be a solution for the success of your students.
Have a great week using the virtual advantage of www.ncvps.org and www.nclearnandearn.gov
Bryan
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