Aside from the online technique, how else is technology used in teaching and learning at Giant Campus?
JP: To say “online” doesn’t really get at the extent to which we are using technology throughout our programs. The school campus is entirely online, so obviously students are logging in to their courses to see their assignments, e-mail from teachers, etc. But they are also connecting with students online, sharing projects, doing collaborative assignments, or just socializing. Real-time web conferencing is another key piece: students attend weekly class meetings that are conducted by their teachers in real time. Then there is the curriculum. We are focused on teaching software skills, 21st century skills, and job skills. So it’s really everywhere in our programs. What do see in the public high schools around you … is technology being used and if so, is it being used enough and is it being used well? JP: Too often, it still seems like “technology” in traditional schools boils down to a collection of aging desktops in a computer lab somewhere down the hall. It’s amazing how few schools
