Online learning in Hamilton County has a younger audience this summer, and their chubby little hands are just learning to maneuver a mouse.
Typically a means for high schoolers to retake a flunked course or for overachievers to get a jump start on college, virtual school programs are being offered to elementary students for the first time this summer.
Virtual school Director Debi Crabtree said getting parents and teachers to agree to online school for younger students is a thought shift. People aren't used to the idea of a dozen kindergartners sitting in front of computers, headphones on, a teacher stopping by periodically to help, Crabtree said.
"I would really love to see elementary schools embrace blended learning throughout the year, especially for kids with learning gaps," she said. "Just the fact that I'm in three elementary schools this summer is an example of more widespread acceptance of online school."
Crabtree offered the six-week program at three elementary schools and six middle schools with federal Title I funding for poor students. She estimates the program has served about 120 students with a budget of about $159,000.
In typical online classes, a course is created based on state standards, and students can move up by passing tests. With the summer school model, educators are looking to fill in any learning gaps - mostly in reading and math - so students are ready for the next grade.
"Look, you're a sixth-grader, we don't care if you need some third-grade stuff - we put it in your path. We want to give these kids a more solid foundation," she said.
Like most educational software for elementary students, administrators say the curriculum's happy, colorful animation and big, bubble letters are perfect for keeping children from realizing they're learning.
"I like matching the same fishies," said 7-year-old Rishaud Brookshire, of a math matching game where he got to click on fin and gill patterns to design animals that looked different from each other. "It teaches stuff."
Hardy Elementary is offering the program this summer, and principal Anetta Ferguson said she already plans to it again next summer.
"Any time opportunity is available for kids to learn more, we need to do it," she said.
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