Alabama connecting classroom is a service that is meant to allow schools to help one another out. When rural schools cannot offer students core classes, advanced level classes, or electives, this gives students an opportunity to achieve these class credits for their diploma. Many are able to experience this through videoconferencing. The school receives money to set up a lab with the capabilities. This allows the students to have web based courses at their finger tips. With the Connecting Classroom this would not only enhance students learning capabilities socially and educationally but also in technology.
I think this is a really great idea but I have some concerns. If a rural school student is taking a core class online through the Connecting Classroom, I feel there is a strong possibility that the schools student, will be unfamiliar with the technology needed to access this program. I also have questions as to the concern of, if the money is available for these labs to be set up for the students to use, then why can the money not be used for teachers to be brought in that are qualified to teach this material. The money could also be used to buy basic materials that might be needed to supply the students with. Although I realize there are benefits to both online and in the classroom courses, I believe this might hinder some experiences such as biology experiments. How does one do these online besides through videos or simulations. Sometimes doing is better than just watching.