Thursday, August 17, 2023

BETSY DEVOS TO PRENDA - HOW HOME SCHOOLING WENT FORM A JOKE TO A PROFITABLE JOKE

BETSY DEVOS TO PRENDA 

HOW HOME SCHOOLING WENT FORM A JOKE TO A PROFITABLE JOKE

Home schooling used to be a joke. It was the excuse we all used for poor behavior, lack of intelligence, or poor social graces. Must of been homeschooled...  But now, it's a profitable joke.

Thanks to government funding, nonprofit grants, and venture capitalist investment, home schooling has exploded in popularity. In the last three years alone, hundreds of thousands of children have been pulled out of public schools and into the comfort of their own homes.

Start-ups like Prenda have emerged to offer alternatives to unsatisfying online public school during the pandemic. And let's not forget Outschool, an online marketplace for classes that has raised a whopping $255 million since 2015. Who knew home schooling could be so lucrative?

But with this rise in popularity comes a concern about the lack of regulation and academic standards. Sure, little Timmy might be learning how to bake bread with his mom, but is he really getting the education he needs to succeed in the real world?

And let's not forget about the potential for horrific incidents. We've all heard the stories about parents who are too busy running their own businesses to properly educate their children. It's a recipe for disaster.

But hey, who cares about all that when there's money to be made? The voucher privatizers are eating it up. Anything that hurts public education serves their cause to defund and privatize public education and other services.

It's a win-win situation for everyone involved. Parents get to spend more time with their children, start-ups get to make a profit, and the voucher privatizers get to further their agenda. Who needs academic standards when you've got cash in your pocket?

But let's not forget about poor Betsy DeVos. She was home-schooled (not really), and look where she ended up. As Secretary of Education, she had the power to push her own agenda and further the cause of voucher privatization.

So, if you're thinking about home schooling your children, just remember: it's not about their education or their future success. It's about the money. And who doesn't love a good profitable joke?

Home-schooling's growth fueled by money from investors, nonprofits, vouchers - Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/interactive/2023/homeschooling-microschools-pods-esa-vouchers/ 


TECH BILLIONAIRES FINALLY GET THEIR WISH - VIRTUAL TEACHERS: THE AGE OF DEEP FAKE EDUCATION IS HERE

TECH BILLIONAIRES FINALLY GET THEIR WISH 

VIRTUAL TEACHERS: THE AGE OF DEEP FAKE EDUCATION IS HERE

Well folks, it's finally happened. After years of defunding, deprofessionalizing, and bashing, teachers have finally succumbed to the tech billionaires' wishes (or purchases). The result? Deep fake education. That's right, virtual teachers are the new Coke of education. They're not the real thing, sort of like having a plastic mother instead of the real thing.

But hey, don't take my word for it. Let's take a deep dive into the world of virtual teachers and remote-teaching companies.

First off, what exactly is a virtual teacher? Well, it's an educator who teaches online classes. They may work for a traditional school that offers online courses, or they may work for a private online school. Virtual teachers typically have the same qualifications as in-person teachers, including a teaching degree and state certification.

So how do virtual teachers teach? Well, they use a variety of technology tools to deliver instruction to their students. These tools may include video conferencing, online discussion boards, and virtual learning platforms. Virtual teachers also need to be proficient in using these tools to create engaging and effective learning experiences for their students.

Now, you may be wondering why schools are using virtual teachers. There are a few reasons. One reason is the nationwide teacher shortage. Many schools are struggling to find enough qualified teachers, especially in certain subjects and grade levels. Virtual teachers can help to fill this gap by providing instruction to students who would otherwise not have a teacher.

Another reason why schools are using virtual teachers is because it can be a cost-effective way to provide instruction. Virtual teachers do not need to be physically present in the school, which can save schools money on things like salaries, benefits, and office space.

But let's be real here, there are some challenges that virtual teachers face. For one, they may not have the same level of interaction with their students as in-person teachers. This can make it difficult to build relationships with students and to monitor their progress.

Another challenge is that virtual teachers may need to be more flexible with their schedules. They may need to work early mornings, late nights, or weekends to accommodate students who are in different time zones.

But hey, there are some benefits to being a virtual teacher too. For one, virtual teachers have more flexibility in their work schedule. They can set their own hours and work from home, which can be a great option for people who want to have a more balanced work-life.

Another benefit is that virtual teachers can reach a wider audience. They can teach students from all over the world, which can be a great way to experience different cultures and perspectives.

Overall, virtual teaching is a growing field that offers a number of benefits for both schools and teachers. As the teacher shortage continues, virtual teachers are likely to play an increasingly important role in education.

But let's not forget that this is all part of the tech billionaires' plan. They've been waiting for this moment for years. And now, they can finally sell tech (deep fake) education as the real thing. But let's be honest here, it's not the real thing. It's like having a plastic mother instead of the real thing.

In all seriousness though, while virtual teaching may have its benefits, we should never forget the value of real human interaction in education. So let's not let the tech billionaires fool us into thinking that deep fake education is the way of the future. Let's continue to support our real-life teachers who work tirelessly every day to educate our children and shape our future.

The rise of the virtual teacher: the remote trend that some US parents aren’t even aware of | Teacher shortages | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/aug/17/us-schools-remote-teaching-educator-shortage


THE DEFT DIVE

FROM BARD AI

Virtual teachers and how schools are increasingly utilizing remote-teaching companies to supplement their staff amid a nationwide teacher shortage.

What is a virtual teacher?

A virtual teacher is an educator who teaches online classes. They may work for a traditional school that offers online courses, or they may work for a private online school. Virtual teachers typically have the same qualifications as in-person teachers, including a teaching degree and state certification.

How do virtual teachers teach?

Virtual teachers use a variety of technology tools to deliver instruction to their students. These tools may include video conferencing, online discussion boards, and virtual learning platforms. Virtual teachers also need to be proficient in using these tools to create engaging and effective learning experiences for their students.

Why are schools using virtual teachers?

There are a few reasons why schools are increasingly using virtual teachers. One reason is the nationwide teacher shortage. Many schools are struggling to find enough qualified teachers, especially in certain subjects and grade levels. Virtual teachers can help to fill this gap by providing instruction to students who would otherwise not have a teacher.

Another reason why schools are using virtual teachers is because it can be a cost-effective way to provide instruction. Virtual teachers do not need to be physically present in the school, which can save schools money on things like salaries, benefits, and office space.

What are the challenges of being a virtual teacher?

There are a few challenges that virtual teachers face. One challenge is that they may not have the same level of interaction with their students as in-person teachers. This can make it difficult to build relationships with students and to monitor their progress.

Another challenge is that virtual teachers may need to be more flexible with their schedules. They may need to work early mornings, late nights, or weekends to accommodate students who are in different time zones.

What are the benefits of being a virtual teacher?

There are also a few benefits to being a virtual teacher. One benefit is that virtual teachers have more flexibility in their work schedule. They can set their own hours and work from home, which can be a great option for people who want to have a more balanced work-life.

Another benefit is that virtual teachers can reach a wider audience. They can teach students from all over the world, which can be a great way to experience different cultures and perspectives.

Overall, virtual teaching is a growing field that offers a number of benefits for both schools and teachers. As the teacher shortage continues, virtual teachers are likely to play an increasingly important role in education.

Here are some additional thoughts on the future of virtual teaching:

  • As technology continues to improve, virtual teaching is likely to become more sophisticated and engaging.
  • Virtual teachers may be able to use artificial intelligence and other technologies to personalize instruction for each student.
  • Virtual teaching may become more widely accepted as a viable option for students who are homebound or who live in rural areas.

Overall, the future of virtual teaching looks bright. It is a promising way to provide high-quality education to students of all ages, regardless of their location or circumstances.


FROM BING AI

Virtual teachers and remote-teaching companies. I will try to provide you with some information and insights on this topic.

Virtual teachers are educators who teach students online, using various technologies and platforms to deliver instruction and facilitate learning. Remote-teaching companies are organizations that offer online teaching services to schools, students, or individuals, either as a supplement or a substitute for traditional classroom teaching.

Some of the benefits of virtual teachers and remote-teaching companies are:

  • - They can help address the teacher shortage problem by providing qualified and experienced teachers who can work from anywhere in the world.
  • - They can offer more flexibility and convenience for both teachers and students, who can choose their own schedules, locations, and learning styles.
  • - They can enhance student engagement and achievement by offering personalized and adaptive instruction, interactive and multimedia content, and instant feedback and support.
  • - They can expand the access and diversity of education by reaching students in remote or underserved areas, offering courses in different languages and subjects, and fostering cross-cultural communication and collaboration.

Some of the challenges of virtual teachers and remote-teaching companies are:

  • - They require reliable and secure internet connection, devices, and software to ensure smooth and effective online teaching and learning.
  • - They may face technical issues or glitches that can disrupt or delay the instruction or assessment process.
  • - They may encounter difficulties in building rapport and trust with students, parents, and school administrators, especially if they lack face-to-face interaction or communication.
  • - They may have to deal with different expectations, standards, and regulations from different states, districts, or countries regarding online teaching certification, curriculum, evaluation, and accreditation.

According to some recent reports¹²³, schools are increasingly utilizing remote-teaching companies to supplement their staff amid a country-wide teacher shortage. Some of the reasons for this trend are:

  • - The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the demand for online education as many schools have shifted to hybrid or fully remote learning models to ensure safety and continuity of education.
  • - The teacher shortage has worsened due to factors such as low pay, high turnover, retirement, burnout, health concerns, and lack of diversity among the teaching workforce.
  • - The remote-teaching companies have improved their quality and credibility by hiring certified and experienced teachers, aligning their curriculum with state standards, providing professional development and support for teachers, and collaborating with schools and districts to meet their needs and goals.

Some examples of remote-teaching companies that are partnering with schools across the country are:

  • - Elevate K-12⁴: This company provides live online instruction for core subjects (math, ELA, science, social studies) and electives (art, music, PE) for grades K-12. It also offers intervention programs for struggling students and enrichment programs for advanced learners.
  • - Proximity Learning⁵: This company specializes in live online instruction for hard-to-staff subjects (foreign languages, STEM, special education) for grades K-12. It also offers credit recovery courses for high school students who need to make up credits or improve their GPA.
  • - Edgenuity⁶: This company offers online courses for core subjects (math, ELA, science, social studies) and electives (career and technical education, health and wellness) for grades 6-12. It also offers test preparation courses for college entrance exams (SAT, ACT) and state assessments.

Bing, 8/17/2023

  • (1) Best Remote Teaching Jobs and How To Get Them - WeAreTeachers. https://www.weareteachers.com/remote-teaching-jobs/.
  • (2) » Online Teaching Jobs - Remote.co. https://remote.co/remote-jobs/online-teaching/.
  • (3) 9 Companies Hiring for Remote Teaching Jobs Right Now. https://remote.co/companies-hiring-for-remote-teaching-jobs/.
  • (4) 8 amazing companies that let you teach English online from home. https://www.teachaway.com/blog/8-amazing-companies-let-you-teach-english-online-from-home.
  • (5) Virtual Teacher Jobs, Employment | Indeed.com. https://www.indeed.com/q-Virtual-Teacher-jobs.html.
  • (6) Homepage - National Virtual Teacher Association. https://virtualteacherassociation.org/.
  • (7) Online Teaching Jobs: Teach online (Hiring!) 2023 | Teach Away. https://www.teachaway.com/online-teaching-jobs.