Virtual schools

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the concept of virtual schools in the scope of distance education based on a literature review. The virtual school is that the students have distance education by using online computers. The virtual school is named as a "out of school" model and these schools are administered that students complete their studies from their homes by online computers and they interact with their teachers distantly. The main purpose of the virtual schools is to provide access to citizens who cannot have education due to some reasons. Virtual schools were launched in the United States of America for the first time and then they have spread to other countries. Virtual schools operate as professional institutions which have curriculums and teachers. In this review following topics are examined: distance education; development of distance education; virtual school; types of virtual schools; positive and negative sides of the virtual school; virtual school system; organization types in virtual schools; the points to be considered about virtual schools.