Virtual Education

We hear about virtual education, virtual schools and virtual classrooms on the news periodically. Just what is virtual education? Who can use it? What benefits does it have?

In an age of high gas prices, hard economic times and a much more competitive job market easy access to educational opportunities via the Internet can be a boon to adults and children in improving work skills, developing a new career, getting a degree or just learning about the world around us through a computer with Internet connection.

Below are links to information on virtual education within Kansas as well as some links to helpful sites outside our state.

What is "virtual education"?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_education
(An explanation from Wikipedia)

Kansas State Department of Education Information

Kansas Virtual Schools web page (KSDE)
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=455

Virtual Schools in Kansas (KSDE)
http://www.ksde.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=GzTgVe89TR8%3D&tabid=455&mid=6784&forcedownload=true

Registered Virtual School/Program Providers, 2008-2009
http://www.ksde.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=q82LhTZ3LIU=&tabid=455
(KSDE. Includes districts claiming FTE for virtual services)

Virtual Education Requirements for Kansas (KSDE)
http://www.ksde.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=3%2bb1xIXRnSU%3d&tabid=455&mid=6620&forcedownload=true

How to Register/Implement a Virtual School/Program (KSDE)
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=458

Virtual Learning Online Resources
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1822
(Links provided by the Kansas State Department of Education)

A Selection of Other Kansas Resources

Homework Kansas
http://www.homeworkkansas.org/
(HomeworkKansas is an after school tutoring service that connects Kansas students one-on-one with live tutors. It is targeted at students in Kindergarten through 12th grades, college introductory students, adult GED students, and other adult learners. Provided by the State Library of Kansas.)

Kan-Ed
http://www.kan-ed.org/
(Broadband technology-based network to which schools, libraries and hospitals may connect for broadband Internet access and intranet access for distance learning.)

EduKan Online
http://www.edukan.org/
(An online community college consortium including Barton County, Colby, Dodge City, Garden City, Pratt, and Seward County community colleges. EduKan offers you the opportunity to obtain your complete associate degree online through the EduKan consortium)

Fort Hays State University Virtual College
http://www.fhsu.edu/virtualcollege/
("A university education that fits your life.")

University of Kansas Medical Center Virtual Classroom
http://www.kumc.edu/vc/

Wichita Area Technical College Virtual College
http://www.watc.edu/distance_overview.php

"I connect, I learn" Kansas education networking group
http://iconnectilearn.ning.com/main/authorization/signIn?target=http%3A%2F%2Ficonnectilearn.ning.com%2F
(You have to join the "ning.com" social networking site to join their groups)

Kansas Distance Learning Programs

Emporia State University
http://www.emporia.edu/lifelong/
Johnson County Community College
http://www.jccc.net/home/depts/S00008
Kansas State University
http://www.dce.k-state.edu/distance/
University of Kansas
http://www.continuinged.ku.edu/
Washburn University
http://www.distancelearninginfo.com/

Other Distance/Virtual Learning Links

Distance Learning Links
http://cty.jhu.edu/imagine/linkd.htm
(from Johns Hopkins University)

E-Learning & Technology (US News & World Report)
http://www.usnews.com/sections/education/e-learning/index.html
(Helpful guide with search engine for finding online courses)