VHS 2009 Scholarship WinnerKaren JantzenThe bell rings...go to class, take notes, read chapter, study for test, exit classroom. It seems that most of my education has become a series of routine habits, compromising how much I actually learn, creating an atmosphere more of drudgery than fun, and completely eliminating the interpersonal communication aspect. I realized all of this after I was exposed to a totally different approach to education, through my Virtual High School experience, that emphasized critical thinking, the merit of discussion, and a supportive interactive community of learning. Once I had mastered the new Blackboard technology and gotten over the fact that I could participate in class during third period or in the middle of the night, depending on my schedule and motivation, I recognized the value of this system of instruction. Instead of a cycle of reading, writing, and tests, I found a much more engaging and useful method: creativity and imagination through critical thinking and practical application, skills becoming obsolete in much classroom education. Yes, we did some reading and researching, and we wrote some reports, but that was the basis of much more. For example, traditional learning about historical figures was simply background to critically analyzing their techniques and lifestyles in order to apply it to the world today. Because the way we presented our thoughts demonstrated our degree of comprehension and exploration into a topic, our grades reflected the quality and content of the thoughts we presented and there was no need for reinforcement worksheets that often become useless busywork or quizzes, which frequently lead only to short-term memorization of selective facts instead of fully grasping and remembering a subject. A much better alternative to a final at the end of the class, I found, was a comprehensive project of our choice demonstrating how we applied the concepts we explored to our own lives or how we taught others what we had learned. I found myself looking forward to each class because I never knew what the day would bring, and the unpredictability and excitement stimulated greater enthusiasm and incentive for learning. The significance of dialogue is often overlooked in classrooms. Occasionally, a teacher may stage a debate or hold a small discussion to delve deeper into some topic, but it certainly holds no integral role in education. However, inter-peer communication is an invaluable teacher. Fellow students often have refreshing new insights, or can clearly articulate points that shed a new light where the teacher could not go. Discussions could go on for days, branch in many different directions, and reach much deeper through the development of ideas. Everyone presenting their own unique viewpoints and reasoning on a topic allowed it to be seen from all angles and created a better understanding and respect for different perspectives. Communication reached a new realm through attempting a group project. Several students, accessing the class at different times and living thousands of miles apart, collaborating their efforts to create a project was an education in itself. The art of leadership, integrity, and accountability in communication was very apparent throughout. Using only words, and not body language or face-to-face conversations, to convey the emotions and deeper context of my contributions to discussions required some practice. I came to appreciate the directness and expressiveness used as we learned to use words in a new way. Having experienced lonely independent studies on subjects, I have noticed that something vital is missing when learning by myself. The flexibility and pace, chosen by and affecting only me, is nice, but such education seems flat and one-dimensional. The missing sense of community in the classroom wouldn't allow me to grow and learn that way. Each student had private assignments, but was urged to share with the class whatever he or she was comfortable with, and by sharing a part of ourselves, we all grew closer and taught each other. I found much support and encouragement from my peers, and in turn tried to offer that to everyone else. Providing and receiving constructive criticism between classmates allowed us all to see the progress we made and learn as a group. The community camaraderie with all the students makes the learning and growing both a mutual commitment and achievement, and therefore goes much farther than individual studies can go. I have rarely experienced this in my traditional schooling. Beyond broadening my educational horizons through access to classes not offered at my school, experimenting with new technology, and building friendships with students from across the country, Virtual High School provided me with new perceptions on the quality and depth of education. Critical thinking, dialogue, and a learning community are aspects of education that are seemingly lost in traditional instruction methods despite their immeasurable worth. The valuable communication involved in all of these facets can be useful to any endeavor, so I have been better prepared to live, work, and learn in my future in this increasingly global society. I have benefitted greatly from such education and I know I will carry many things I learned from this experience with me for life. Karen Jantzen |