Who needs classrooms when we have internet?

@Lisa: Aren't PROFESSORS at UNIVERSITIES also TEACHERS? It's just a difference in what we call them, right? ;-)

In my opion online education will never be able to totally replace schools. However good they are one important factor is missing. face to face social integration. This is an important part of growing up and being part of a community. There are already cases of children who will happily chat for ages on line but totally clam up in face to face meetings.

I agree Lisa that all these things are possible and are happening, however there are many and wide ranging subjects that require the physical experience of touch and feel, smell, taste, especially for the more artisan trades.

NO ONE needs classrooms when we have internet.

Stuart, on another level, online schooling can give you flexibility to learn with your child, giving you the opportunity to be their authority, their role model. What better role model for them to look up to than their parent?
Yes Annamaria, a balance is important. For the sake of entertaining this topic, let's say that balance can be maintained in their curricula, including hands on experiences like brain surgeries, etc. Actually right now, the top scientists are learning from each other th

I would agree if you take this question on pure academia, however there are many subjects that require practical and hands on experiences, so in my opinion there will always be a case for striking a balance between virtual and physical classrooms.

I think the point is to have balance, it's okay to have school on line, but kids and young people (and many grown ups) will not be happy with only virtual fellowship. So if school is online, there must be a way to form offline friendships in some different setting.

online schooling would not work well. It is hard enough to get my children to school in the 1st place, so they would just not have the same concentration levels if this is done at home, with many distractions around. I just feel children need real life role models, and real life authority. Things are bad enough as they are already without giving children even more control!

No, Thank You Lisa because you have touched on a subject that I have been involved in for 7 years now and if you are pursuing this as a niche then I think you are on the right track. This will be our future. Technology is inevitable!!!

And freedom is what I always pursue. The freedom to learn the truth, the freedom to be free, the freedom of choice.
And maybe online schools will help to nurture the parent and child relationship by forcing the parent to become more proactive as a role model and guide.
You guys are rocking the ideas. Thank you for sharing and keep them coming!

@ faii acy, I am one who has commented on the "no lacking in social skills" I am sorry to disagree with you but I do believe that social skills start in the home. As far as the street smarts go well I don't think street smarts come from making bad choices and ending up on drugs, robbing or being a gang member and quite possibly end up dead. You say you are old and I am sure you aren't much older than me if at all but I can tell you this much: The school system we grew up with no longer exists in

Thank you Abhishek and Kitty for sharing! I appreciate your input! ^_^

Internet tools can be fun! Internet tools are interactive! What a great way to engage students in the classroom.

internet can only be better only when u don't miss the class....... coz classrooms is like...... the finest memory in everyone's life so y to miss it....

yes there are all sorts of pros and cons the situation and so far the only con is the socializing and personal engagement that I find can easily be arranged online. It seems there are more pros at the moment but that's why I am inviting more input, more views, more opinions on this matter.

Lisa you are welcome as always.As I said always there are merits and demerits of each and every thing and as faii acy said I also agree that but for socializing and 'street smart' ,one can find other ways like clubbing and sports, and that could be done according to the time preference and keeping the expenses under control.
I send my son to the school and will ,but I have seen many parents facing problem with the drop up and picking up issue ,as they are working full time or so.
Time will tell

Thank you Jus! I really need feedback. I mean plainly thinking it resolves a lot of overhead expense and able to reach limitless number of people to educate them in their field of interest, not to mention time saving on both ends for the teacher and student. I can't wait to hear your findings or others' input as well.
Lyle, I completely understand where you're coming from and I do agree socializing is important for self discovery. What if socializing or negotiations and street smarts can be

I may be old (well, I AM old) but I have spent as much or more time online than anyone. But I'm sorry, I don't buy the "no lacking in social skills" statements. Unless your children are involved in some other outside-the-home activity then the social skills learned in school are as essential as the formal education itself. Maybe more so.

Our kids need to learn to deal with others, of all temperaments and social strata. This is how we learn who we are, and how to handle ourselves in social situa

Hey Lisa! great! revolutionary idea and very soon will be implemented all over the world.
Many places it has already shown its existence and coincidently I was also planning for such classrooms for my institute with my partner.
It will undoubtedly save time and labour. Only thing which we might miss is the personal touch...that personal presence.As already mentioned by others in this discussion.
This is a topic of research and the studies will only tell the merits and demerits ,but I would like

That is true Warren! My point exactly. Would this be a good business to start?
@ Don My oldest daughter learned how to read and write from an ipad before the age of 4. I definitely believe that technology makes our children smarter, especially the apps. I have been looking in to Cyber School not sure how they worked out. I am glad to hear your feedback on this.
I would assume it's a lot more advanced since you have a larger population to compete with. I wouldn't doubt they mold geniuses.