My students quickly learn that I
am available to them whenever
the need arises. My attention is
focused on their questions, and I
value and validate the interaction.
Our communication is authentic,
timely, and focused on an immediate need or concern. When
working with a group of students
in a collaborative activity, social
interaction occurs between the
students, but it is the task at hand
that is most important to them,
and most assuredly, they will
keep me focused on the objective
and engage me in discussion that
helps achieve their goal.
As educators, if we want to create
a dynamic learning environment to
serve future students, we must listen
to what students are saying about
what excites and motivates them.
We must start by changing our approach to how we deliver education
and instruction. We must nurture
students and give them opportunities
to explore, learn, and create. Education must offer students a chance to
achieve their dreams.
Resources
2006 Speak Up Survey. Project Tomorrow.
www.netday.org/speakup/speakup_2006.
htm.
A Comprehensive Assessment of Florida Virtual
School (October 2007). Florida Tax Watch
Center for Educational Performance and
Accountability. www.floridataxwatch.org/
resources/pdf/110507FinalReportFLVS.pdf.
Keeping Pace with Online Learning, A Review of
State-Level Policy and Practices (2007). Ever
green Consulting Associates. www.nacol.org/
docs/KeepingPace07-color.pdf.
Survey on 21 -century skills (October 2007).
st
Public Opinion Strategies and Peter D. Hart
Research Associates. www.21stcenturyskills.
org/ index.php?option=com_content&task=
view&id=369&Itemid=64.
Julie Young, president and
CEO of Florida Virtual
School, helped launch the
online school. She is a former
classroom teacher and has
served as an administrator
and leading e-learning expert
and advocate.
Pam Birtolo, chief learning
officer of FLVS, was previously
a regional coordinator for the
school. She was the founding
principal of the Sagemont
Virtual School and has taught
in high schools and colleges.
Raven McElman is a learning
specialist supporting leadership development programs
and Web-based educational
technology initiatives. She
graduated from the University
of Pennsylvania.
