Carrie’s TEBlog

            I think the requirement of an online course for high school students is a great idea. It is true that computers and internet are a fast growing part of society. People use them day to day and need growing knowledge about them. By requiring students to take an online class, they are exposing them to new waves of technology. It is like what we talked about in class about Discourses. Students who take online classes are learning a new Discourse. They are learning how to use communication on the internet in a professional manner. Instead of using it just for pleasure and research, they are learning to use it to communicate on a higher level then instant messenger. It shows them how possibly to use it as a way to organize business or other things online. Also just by being exposed to this Discourse they are learning how to learn other online Discourses. Online Discourses are different then other kinds so having some sort of exposure to it in a professional manner is a great way to learn about them.

            The problem with online classes is that not everyone has the ability to take them easily. Not everyone has a computer, and not everyone has a good internet that would make it easy to take this class. For this to work without leaving some students behind, I believe the schools need to offer up to date computers for as many children as possible. In general, high schools have computer labs; however they are not always very assessable. Schools need to find ways to make it easier to use their equipment. Also the lower level high schools that do not have enough funding for good computers or enough computers are going to be highly affected by this new requirement. I believe these are the schools that need the most help, and this new requirement leaves them behind. The students will just be more likely not to graduate because they can not complete this online requirement. I think that the online requirement is a good idea; however, I do not believe Michigan schools are prepared enough for it.