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Virtual Day

February 2nd, 2016 at 02:01 pm

I'm working from home today. The kids have "virtual days" from school today and tomorrow. They have school-issued laptops, so the teachers assign work and hold class online, while the kids log on from home. They tried this idea two years ago when we were battered with many bad snow storms, but the state didn't "count" the day because the logistics weren't planned out and it didn't meet some technicalities in the law. Now, with the states blessing, they are trying it again and these days will count.

I'm a bit conflicted about it. On the one hand, I applaud the school district for being innovative, and virtual learning is a "thing" that's only going to grow in the future. At the same time, I'm a bit of a traditionalist, and I pay big tax dollars to support the schools! They'll be sending out surveys to students and parents tomorrow; I'm curious to see the results.

If nothing else, I save on gas and tolls from my commute, and I can hang out in comfy clothes instead of getting dressed up for work, so it's a win for me!

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments »

8 Responses to “Virtual Day”

  1. creditcardfree Says:
    February 2nd, 2016 at 02:06 pm 1454421994
    1454421994

    So you having a snow day where the physical school is closed, but virtual learning will happen today. I'll be curious what you think. I've heard of this, but our schools have never participated. Our last school could have done this for high school since all students had an issued laptop.

  2. mjrube94 Says:
    February 2nd, 2016 at 02:39 pm 1454423959
    1454423959

    It's actually not snowing today. The technicality that held them up last time was that the school needs to be "open" in order for the day to count, and in that case, the school was closed due to the snow. Today, the school is open and the teachers are there, but the kids are home. That gets around the technicality. If they can then prove to the state that real learning occurred, they'll lobby to change the rule about the school being "open".

    It's an idea that's catching on. A neighboring district is going to try it later this month.

  3. NJDebbie Says:
    February 2nd, 2016 at 03:25 pm 1454426744
    1454426744

    Is this to make up for snow days?

  4. mjrube94 Says:
    February 2nd, 2016 at 03:30 pm 1454427044
    1454427044

    It's not to make up for snow days this year. It's to prove to the state that virtual learning can take place, so that in the future, we can do it again during snow days, that we'll then not have to make up. It's actually sunny and beautiful out today!

  5. CB in the City Says:
    February 2nd, 2016 at 03:33 pm 1454427198
    1454427198

    I would think it would pose a big problem for parents who can't stay home with the kids.

  6. creditcardfree Says:
    February 2nd, 2016 at 06:18 pm 1454437091
    1454437091

    Interesting! A planned virtual day.

  7. snafu Says:
    February 2nd, 2016 at 07:13 pm 1454440438
    1454440438

    Kudos to your school district. I see this as forward thinking as more and more employers have staff work from home to some extent. Does work for all but the benefits to employer has huge potential in saving costs of space needed and productivity. Two or 3 employees share the same desk/sf often likened to realtors system of 'renting' desk space. Productivity continues if you can work at home in spite of being sick. Those horrid problems that result when colleagues gossip and speculate lessen with e-factual information. Individuals as less likely to trade insults that can be verified. The research confirms people working at home give more desk time to 'finish-up' and continue to think about how to resolve whatever problems/issues are at hand.

    The children who are familiar with the process will likely adjust to change easily in the future and change seems to be what it's all about. As I still struggle with some smart phone processes, I see 5 y/o easily master the dexterity needed.

  8. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    February 2nd, 2016 at 11:21 pm 1454455281
    1454455281

    What a neat idea!

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