Virtual Science Classrooms: Good or Bad?

     Virtual classrooms are growing quickly, and virtual schools are everywhere. Virtual science classrooms are a less common variety, but there are a lot of resources out there specifically for online science education.

     I think that science would be one of the easier subjects to teach online. Lots of simulations, visuals, and videos are great for online instruction. Plus there's plenty of research articles and videos that students can review for assignments and projects. Cooperative learning, at least regarding lab assignments, has always been a big part of science education. Students can discuss the experiments and results of web-based or at-home labs on online discussion boards.

     Teaching an online science course would take a lot of well planned strategies. First, the teacher must communicate expectations very clearly to students. Instructions on how to navigate online resources and assignments would need to be explicit. A wide range of simulations, videos, articles, and other websites and resources would be essential.

     I think the best way to go about instruction would be to schedule times when students can collectively (in groups maybe, as opposed to whole-class) have discussions in real-time with the instructor. These times should be determined by the instructor and take into account students' availability. This would allow students with difficult schedules to still be able to  interact with each other and the instructor.

     Teachers who make their own instructional video lessons would likely have the best results with learner outcomes. As most teachers would tell you, not all prefabricated lessons or class structures are going to work with their students. For example, students in Texas probably aren't going to respond as well to a lesson/structure made by a teacher in New York. Cultural and experiential differences could become a barrier that students would struggle to overcome.

     Overall, I think online science classrooms are definitely a viable option. However, careful structuring, planning, and communication on part of the teacher is critical. Students also must be effectively encouraged to take part in active learning.