How online instruction is transforming education
Online learning is no longer regarded with the skepticism it was a decade ago—and now thousands of K-12 schools nationwide are turning to online-learning providers for help with credit recovery, enrichment opportunities for gifted students, and even for providing core curriculum classes in areas where there isn’t enough demand to justify keeping a teacher on staff.
Online learning is also meeting a need for students who have trouble learning in a traditional school environment, which is key in this era of heightened accountability—along with a growing awareness that not all students learn the same way or have the same educational needs. What’s more, it’s a cost-effective way for schools to address all of these areas, which is an important consideration in the current economic climate.
That said, there are significant challenges to online learning that states and local school systems are still grappling with, such as outdated “seat-time” requirements, funding disputes, accountability concerns, and state teaching certification questions.
With the generous support of K12 Inc., we’ve assembled this collection of stories from our archives to help school leaders better understand the online-learning landscape—and how it’s transforming education as we know it.
–The Editors
eSchool News Articles
AASA hears what’s about to disrupt schools »
If Harvard Business School's Clayton Christensen is right, half of all instruction will take place online within the next 10 years--and schools had better get into the online-learning market or risk losing their students to other providers. Key words: online learning, AASA, disruptive innovation...
Feb 23 2009 / Read More »Internships help prepare future online teachers »
As virtual schooling continues to surge in popularity, there is a growing need for new K-12 teachers who understand how to teach in an online environment successfully. To help meet this need, the Florida Virtual School (FLVS) is teaming up with area colleges to pair teachers-in-training with its online instructors in a first-of-its-kind internship program. Key words: Florida Virtual School, online teaching, University of Central Florida...
Feb 16 2009 / Read More »Why some students prefer virtual schooling »
What motivates a growing number of virtual-school students to forgo the traditional school structure and take their classes entirely online? At the Virtual School Symposium hosted by the North American Council for Online Learning last month, virtual-school students explained they like being able to progress at their own pace--and some said they appreciate being able to take classes not offered by their traditional, bricks-and-mortar school. ...
Dec 1 2008 / Read More »Report challenges online-learning assumptions »
Some critics of distance learning say face-to-face classes give students a better learning environment, but a recent Indiana University study found that online learners reported deeper approaches to learning than classroom-based learners....
Nov 19 2008 / Read More »These traits make online teachers successful »
What are the qualities that help instructors succeed when teaching online? That was the focus of a lively discussion at the 14th annual Sloan-C International Conference on Online Learning Nov. 6....
Nov 7 2008 / Read More »Report assesses K-12 online learning »
While online learning is growing rapidly, its continued growth will require specific policy and funding changes that focus on increasing educational choices and opportunities while ensuring high quality and improved student achievement, according to a new report....
Oct 29 2008 / Read More »Feds issue new guide to evaluating online learning programs »
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Innovation and Improvement has released its latest guide in a series of publications highlighting innovations in education. Titled "Evaluating Online Learning: Challenges and Strategies for Success," the new guide is designed as a resource for leaders and evaluators of K-12 online learning programs. It discusses the challenges of evaluating these kinds of programs and features seven examples of evaluations that address a broad spectrum of online learning options, from programs that provide online courses to web sites that feature education resources....
Jul 23 2008 / Read More »Panelists: Online learning can help minority students »
As online learning becomes more of a strategic resource for K-12 and higher-education institutions to supplement traditional courses, education leaders are starting to discuss how online learning can help support minority students' instructional needs....
Apr 11 2008 / Read More »‘Hybrid’ courses show promise »
"Hybrid courses," or courses that deliver part of their instruction in a traditional lecture manner and part in an online environment, are becoming increasingly popular among schools and colleges. Proponents of the concept say it capitalizes on the benefits that both face-to-face and online learning can provide--and now, there is some evidence to suggest that hybrid courses can help students learn more effectively....
Apr 3 2008 / Read More »Reports reveal online learning’s successes, needs »
Online learning continues to grow at a rapid pace, with 30 states--six more than last year--now offering state-led programs or initiatives, according to the latest report presented by the North American Council for Online Learning (NACOL). But the group warns that more oversight of online learning programs is needed if this growth is to continue, and it urges administrators to make sure their online courses are equally accessible to all students....
Nov 21 2007 / Read More »
