Internet Killed the Teacher

Today's topic reminds me of the song "Video Killed the Radio Star".  Here is a question I pose to you: Should the internet replace classroom teachers?  Recently, a law was passed in Idaho requiring all students to take at least one on-line class to meet the 2016 graduation requirements. 

"The state board of education shall promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this section, including a requirement for online courses needed for graduation beginning with the graduating class of 2016, and the development of digital citizenship standards for students to which this graduation requirement applies."  --Senate Bill No. 1184

Reading each of the bills signed into law (SB1184, SB1108, and SB1110) regarding the "Students Come First" Legislation, in my opinion they read as though the goal is to reduce/eliminate classroom instruction and replace it with on-line classes in addition to replacing real live teachers with computers.  So, let's look at this from both sides of the line.

Pro for new requirements:
1.  There would be more diversity within learning.  Students would be able to take classes not normally offered in their high school.  For example, foreign languages other than french and spanish, high end and low end math classes, wider variety of sciences, as well as classes geared more toward what they are interested in. 
2.  Not all students can learn sitting in a classroom.

Con for for new requirements:
1.  Realistically not all classes should be taught on-line. If a student is taking foreign languages on-line they may learn to read and hear the language well but how are they going to know how to say it with the proper inflections.  What about PE? I understand that the Wii is involved in "teaching" on-line PE courses. Hmmm... Who is doing the monitoring to make sure that they are doing all the "moves" correctly? 
2.  When a student is working on their homework at "home", who is making sure that the student enrolled in the class is doing the homework? If the student doesn't have the necessary equipment to take a class (ie. a graphing calculator) is the school also to supply one that the student can take home?  Where is the money going to come from to purchase this equipment if so? 
3.  When students need help on a question while they are at school, they have to wait until their on-line instructor has office hours.  These office hours usually do not fall within the school day so the student must wait until the instructor has a convenient time to help them.
4.  Not all students can learn sitting in front of a computer.

I find it easier to come up with cons to this situation than it is to come up with pros.  Now I understand that I am a little biased when it comes to the new legislation so, please help me see what is so appealing to on-line courses!

A Mathematics Teacher Attempts Writing

Writing is not a strong suit for me.  In fact, the English language and I often don't see eye to eye.  As a mathematics teacher, I find it is easier to write in abbreviations and symbols and harder to use complete words and full sentences.  My spelling is often atrocious and if I cannot find a word that I am looking for I make one up.  I realize I am giving math teachers a bad rap, not all of them are like me.  Heck, I don't even know if I even fit into the math teacher stereotype. However, I digress.  My point to the rambling is to say: This is completely out of character for me.

So why am I attempting to create a blog in the first place? Honestly, it started as an assignment for a class.  But, I have always been curious about blogs and didn't know how to even get into the blogging world.  When I began the class, I was hoping to gain insight into an area of the internet I had yet to explore.  Instead I was shown an entire universe.  I didn't realize that just anyone could create a blog.  Educators, parents, students, entrepreneurs, nature enthusiasts, etc. Amazing!

I am planning on dedicating this blog to the education aspect of my life. My teaching, my students, and even my own learning are all up for grabs.  I don't know how often I will post or what my topics will be but let's take the journey together!  Thank you for your support and hopefully my grammar won't make you jump out the window.