April 20, 2006
Michigan Requires Online Attendance
This morning Jennifer M. Granholm, the governor of Michigan, signed a bill that will require all high-school students in the state to take at least one course online before they can graduate. This is apparently the first such requirement in the nation. The provision was included in a bill that toughened the overall state high-school-graduation standards. The online course students take does not have to be for credit, but observers expect many students to take Advanced Placement courses via the Web.
Lawmakers initially questioned why they needed to require students who grew up on video games and the Internet to take online courses. In the end, they decided that making students conduct some of their education over the Internet would better prepare them for college and the workplace, which relies more and more on online tools.
For more information on this topic, see an article from The Chronicle by Dan Carnevale.
Posted on Thursday April 20, 2006 | Permalink |Comments
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It’s too bad the Michigan guv doesn’t pay attention to research. Much, including my own, is available and clearly indicates that not all students will learn well with computers. Forcing all students to take an online course is disserving a large (and significant) percentage of the population that doesn’t interact well with technology. There’s also a HUGE difference between using a computer in a class as a word processing tool and using a computer over distance as an instructor.
I certainly hope, for the sake of Michigan learners, that this law is overturned.
— Pat Ames Apr 21, 06:58 AM #
So, I presume that traditional methods of educating students work well for all students? I don’t think so. Just as online learning is not optimal for ALL students, neither are more traditional forms. Should we do away with those as well?
I think this is an innovative policy, with the jury out on total impact.
— anon Apr 21, 08:03 AM #
No delivery method is equally suited for all students, nor for all subject matter. I would think that, even for very able and motivated students, AP courses are not the place to start distance education.
— Bill Bailey Apr 21, 08:33 AM #
Does this bill also guaranteee all Michigan students a computer and access to the internet?
— Barbara Elliott Apr 21, 09:47 AM #
Sure some students may have difficulty with an online platform. But the fact of the matter is that the world continues to migrate online and requiring digital literacy is critical.
— Lawrence Eisenberg Apr 21, 10:07 AM #
Congratulations goes to Governor Granholm and the Michigan state leadership for taking this audacious step forward in education. While many speak of the necessity for lifelong learning few understand what steps need to be taken to provide affordable opportunities for life long learning for busy working people.
— phyllis self Apr 21, 10:50 AM #
Just one more example of how Granholm has failed us Michiganders since she became governor. I think Barbara Elliot makes a great point. Michigan has one of the highest unemployment rates and Detroit is in a major economic crisis with the current state of the automotive industry. This move on Granholm’s part will only serve to creater greater separations in education along class and race lines.
— pea Apr 21, 12:28 PM #
Are there provisions for training teachers to teach online? Will the competencies for new teachers include pedagogy in online learning and teaching? If college professors will be teaching the courses, will they be required to have the same pedagogical and developmental training that K-12 teachers are required to have?
— Ellen Apr 21, 12:54 PM #
These postings sound like they don’t realize – it doesn’t have to be a credit course!!! As for computers being avaialbe – hasn’t anyone that posted been in a HS lately…there are computer labs everywhere and libraries are equipped. I think this is great and may have my own children start doing this. I have twins in 5th grade…they already have required research projects on the internet. Yes, 5th grade! If I lived in MI – I wouldn’t have any problem as a parent with this requirment. You have four years…if children cannot find a way to fit this in, then our children need more help than we realize!
— Dee Apr 21, 01:51 PM #
This concept may work well for the majority of high schools in Michigan, but what about the school districts who already lack funding and resources and do not have enough computers for student use? Some schools, specifically in the Detroit area, barely have enough funding to purchase new/updated books for students. I am also not completely sure of the impact that requiring students to take an online course has on their development. I went through high school and undergraduate without being required to take an online course. It wasn’t until I worked on my M.B.A. that I had to take an online course.
— MVR Apr 21, 07:45 PM #
Students in this state are also required to use technology to show they can either manage their finances, use contact information, manage schedules, make purchases or do personal correspondence. Check out the state Information Technology standards for more detailed information. Who is going to be looking at and grading this very personal information about students? Is it really a good idea for students to turn in a copy of their online banking records to earn a grade?
— rec Apr 29, 09:30 AM #