January 27th 2011.

The New York Times recently reported that Florida has adopted a plan that places more than 7,000 students in Miami-Dade County public schools in virtual classrooms where there are no teachers.

Regardless of method, it is generally agreed that academic achievement is linked to students’ being motivated to learn. University of Rochester researchers Edward Deci and Richard Ryan have identified students’ sense relatedness as a key factor in their motivation. Relatedness refers to our emotional ties. It involves our basic need to feel connected with, and acknowledged by, others.

Read the full story at:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ed-madison/virtual-teachers-vs-real-teachers_b_813438.html

By Ed Madison