Daily Talker: Snow Days Moving Online?

With another storm headed toward New England later this week, students will be waiting to find out if they will get yet another snow day. Some Massachusetts school districts are already close to running out of scheduled snow days, meaning students could find themselves in the classroom later in the summer.

Technology may someday solve this problem. During recent snowstorms in Illinois, several schools sent students electronic assignments for them to complete on school-issued iPads. Teachers also posted video lectures and had students sign up for online video chats to discuss the lessons. In Ohio, a new state law allows districts to make up as many as three snow days per year by requiring students to complete assignments that are posted online. Students without Internet access have two weeks to turn in the work.

What do you think of this trend? Can online lessons and discussions adequately replace classroom learning on snow days? What potential problems would you foresee? Share your comments below, and watch for them on the WBZ Morning News from 4:30 - 7:00am.