The Advantages and Disadvantages of Virtual Learning Environments for Students with Special Needs at Risk of Academic Failure in a Traditional School Setting Students and Parents Views and Perceptions

Abstract

The landscape of K-12 education is changing rapidly. Students have a choice regarding where and how they receive their education. One of these options is virtual education or electronic learning. While this is proving to be a popular choice for students, is it always the correct choice? Online schooling is open and available to all students regardless of ability. Many students who have been identified as having special needs, and receive special education services through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), are making the choice to switch to virtual schooling. Many of these students with special needs are risk of academic failure at their traditional brick and mortar school. In order to ensure that these students are successful in the virtual environment, they need to stay motivated, on task, and have a supportive learning coach to guide their instruction. If any of these pieces are lacking, there is a possibility that the virtual school environment may not be conducive for the student.

The purpose of this study is to improve the delivery of virtual schooling by surveying and interviewing current students and their parents or learning coaches on their perspectives of how effective schooling in a virtual environment is for them. During the course of my research, I identified both the advantages and disadvantages of virtual online education for students with special needs who had been deemed at-risk of academic failure in the traditional school setting. Once the data was collected, students and parents were able to identify and make an informed decision as to if virtual schooling was the right choice for them.