Creating Connections: How PA Virtual Creates Social Opportunities for All Students

Remember the early days of instant messaging and personal blogs? When you'd wait eagerly for a friend to log on to AIM just so you could chat, or spend hours writing about your favorite celebrity and connecting with others who shared your interests? For many, those moments were the start of meaningful virtual connections. Today, that same spirit of online interaction has evolved, especially in the world of virtual education. At PA Virtual Charter School, students are building friendships, joining clubs, and participating in social opportunities that go far beyond the screen. From virtual hangouts to in-person outings, PA Virtual makes sure that every student has the chance to connect, engage, and belong.

A sense of belonging is created through interpersonal and interdependent closeness between individuals. Those positive feelings of acceptance, appreciation and trust all stem from common interests and communication. “The Education Hub” explains that strong social connections promote organization, time management, working memory, attention and transfer of knowledge skills. Clearly, socialization in the virtual environment is key for student success. Students are encouraged to write and discuss ideas with their teachers and peers. They can do so using chat boxes, mics, white boards, discussion boards and various game platforms. This allows the students to solidify their understanding with their own detailed explanations. It also brings forth new ways for students to view the material from the eyes of their peers. When this type of collaboration develops, it leads to fun friendships between the classmates. PA Virtual Charter School carries these connections above and beyond the normal call of duty. The friendships and connections with their teachers are carried to school outings to strengthen interpersonal skills.

The phenomenal Family Support Coordinators at PA Virtual Charter School plan numerous outings throughout the school year. These individuals are assigned to particular families in common areas of the state They maintain communication between the families and the school regarding policies and attendance.  Naturally, in the aforementioned discussion opportunities, students tend to recognize if they live close to one another. These classroom friendships paired with the efforts of the Family Support Coordinators allow for stronger long term friendships to build during their time with the school. Examples of outings include trips to parks, bowling alleys and museums. These opportunities tend to be very educational with professionals giving tours and lessons pertaining to topics.  Check out a few of the outings that the school hosted in your area, would your student have enjoyed this experience?

We followed blogs in the early days and today, we follow Facebook groups. Both capture our attention through shared interests and connections. Similarly, students in cyber schools have virtual opportunities to connect with peers who share their passions. PA Virtual Charter School offers a wide range of student-run organizations where learners can come together around common interests. Many of these groups work toward a final product, such as an art show or a competition. Acting Club, Baking Club, Gaming Club, Art Club, GLOBE, and National Honor Society are just a few of the many options available. You can view the full list of clubs here. Participation is voluntary, allowing students to ease into the school’s social scene at their own pace. These groups naturally foster the nurturing, trusting environment that PA Virtual encourages.

Service and community engagement opportunities are also available at PA Virtual Charter School. The notion of open mindedness, acceptance and support generates a wonderful sense of camaraderie with a strong connection to moral values. Our Family Support Coordinators generate service opportunities throughout the year.  These include can drives, coat collections and other to give back to those less fortunate in the community. There are also specific clubs that target this type of interest. Best Buddies, INTERACT, Peer to Peer and various religious groups are just a few of our service based club opportunities.

Social skills are continuously integrated into the curriculum and school culture at PA Virtual Charter School. Teachers generate opportunities for students to collaborate on projects through small group assignments. Some grades even become pen pals! Classrooms also encourage “chatter” amongst peers using the microphones and chat boxes.  Students have the freedom to ease into the virtual communication world as they develop their confidence within the classroom setting. Teachers make it known that the students’ voices, opinions and connections are both heard and important throughout the day. The Family Support Coordinators also respect the transition from virtual communication skills to in person conversations. Events are strategically planned to be engaging in order to foster a sense of community, confidence and trust. Students attend the FSC planned outings with their learning coaches and families. This too allows for the gradual transition to face to face interactions. The school works together as a unit to teach, foster and develop virtual communication skills, then encourage such skills in the real world setting.

PA Virtual Charter school ensures students receive a full circle, wholesome education. Both academics and communication skills are developed within the school. Classroom conversations, group projects/discussions, planned outings and clubs are just a few of the wonderful ways our students foster the imperative social skills that our students need. Not only do students have the opportunity to converse in PA Virtual Charter School social situations, they are also eligible to participate in the sports teams associated with their local districts. This too brings together students that are living in the same communities, while practicing concepts of camaraderie and good sportsmanship. When thinking about social development in a virtual setting, I encourage you to think critically about your personal cyber communication skills and recognize that PA Virtual Charter School works together to take interpersonal skills to the next level. 

Reference: https://theeducationhub.org.nz/social-connection/