March 2000 — Features
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Breathing New Life into a Dead Language: Teaching Latin Online
Students are also encouraged to communicate with each other through an online discussion area. To illustrate, I am in the process of forming a cyber chapter of the National Junior Classical League. During the semester, students will be campaigning for office using the Discussion Area of the CourseRoom. We will be holding club meetings online. Students will also be given the chance to go to regional and state competitions in the spring. As part of the Latin course, they are creating historical or cultural projects, which they may enter in these contests. Starting in January, pictures of these projects and short abstracts of their research will be posted online, to share with their classmates.
In Conclusion...
Distance learning is not a magic bullet for education. Online classes are not for every student. However, distance learning can provide an important alternative to students who, for whatever reason, are not enrolled in traditional school programs or want to take this form of classes. Distance education classes can also benefit students in small public or private schools that do not have the resources or students to offer advanced classes. For example, because there is a shortage of Latin teachers, many high schools do not offer Latin. However, through The Florida High School and distance learning, all students in Florida may now enjoy the benefits of taking Latin.
The Florida High School can be found at http://www.fhs.net/FHSWeb.nsf/Home?Open.
Sue Shelton has been teaching Latin for 19 years. She received her BA from Baylor University. She has done post graduate work through the University of Florida and University of South Florida. She will receive her Masters in Educational Technology from the University of Central Florida in August 2000. She has been teaching online for Florida High School since August 1999.
E-mail: magistra@fhs.net
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