I&TT: How do your students interact with each other and their teachers? Do students work together on assignments and projects?
JB: Students interact in a variety of methods, webcam, Blackboard Collaborate, the Online School; so they interact in real-time and receive direct instruction. They interact with teachers in individual meetings. Our learning management system allows us to do group work. The wonderful thing about technology and social media is that students can work on projects outside of class. The use of web cam and microphone allows students and teachers to get to know one another and build relationships.
I&TT: How do you see the PA Virtual Charter School growing & changing over the next several years?
JB: That will depend on technology, since we are a technology dependent and intense environment. As technology changes, we have to change. Technology is becoming more and more mobile. What will that mean for us? We have to look at the laws in education that are passed and adapt that to us as a school. We are looking to get middle states accreditation. We won’t be as novel. The longer we exist as a viable option, the more we will become normalized and accepted as the status quo.
