I have been a skeptical about online courses, I have had some that are successful and others that are awful and I did not learn a lot. But when looking back through my other college courses I took I also had a similar experience with traditional face-to-face classes. Online learning gives students the opportunity to fit schooling into their schedule.
This is a new way of schooling that has taken off in the last few years. In 2001, 200,000 k-12 students participated in online learning but in 2007 that number increased to about 2 million (Devaney). Many states have written laws requiring online learning as an option. Michigan was the first state that mandated an online learning experience before graduation (Van Dusen).
In the article by Devaney, she states research is showing that “more K-12 students will take classes online and will have longer school days in the next decade- and academic improvement and cost savings are two big benefits.” The online learning gives student the ability to access class materials based on their own schedule, which would increase the instructional time students are receiving without the increased operational cost for the school. Both important factors schools must consider when making important decisions.
Many older people in society are not so keen on the idea of virtual schooling because that is not how they were taught and how they remember school. Many of these old school people think that student participating in online courses sit at the computer all day and do not learn important social skills. One student participating in online schooling does not see it that way. He believes that he has more time to socialize with friends and participate in sports. “Advocates of online education sat this is a plus- it prepares student for a world where life if not structures in class periods and adults increasingly communicate electronically, work remotely, and meet virtually” (Van Dusen). Young students today have grown up with technology all around them. They do not read the instructions to figure out how to use electronics they learn my doing. Currently, most schools are forcing students to turn off their world as they know it when they enter schools. “Virtual schooling and online learning fit in extremely well with emerging trends to embrace the same technologies that our young people are using in their everyday lives and apply them to education,” Cavanaugh said. “Schools that don’t embrace online learning soon will be viewed as limiting the learning opportunities of their students” (Devaney).
I think embracing the technology is a great idea but what about the schools that do not have the finances to support online learning? Or the students that cannot afford computers and internet at home, the achievement gap will continue to increase?
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?i=58076
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/index.cfm?i=58911
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
The information presented here is pretty amazing. I had no idea that so many children were using online classes. I agree that it is a great way to extend the school day without adding extra costs. I have taken an online class and yet I never really thought of it as a possibility for students in K-12. Hopefully with a younger administration in the white house these types of technological solutions will be possible.
ReplyDeleteThere is currently an online k - 12 program that is an option for students living in Chicago. Illinois also has virtual high school that gives students to opportunity to take some classes in an on-line format as long as their home school is part of the program.
ReplyDeleteTo answer the last question you posed - computers are available to everyone whether they own one or not. My computer crashed while i was in the middle of an online course - and I went to the library to do my work. It was less convienient, yes, but aslo quite possible.
Because so many universities use on line classes, I think that it may be beneficial to expose students to on-line courses during their high school experience. I can envision having one or two on-line classes available during student’s senior year. This will provide them with the experience in addition to allowing them to take an extra elective or free up a period to participate in a work study program. As a firm believer that socialization, group work, and collaborative skills are a large component of the schooling experience. I do not support on-line high school courses taken the place of the traditional school experience. Having students sit behind their computers all day instead of interacting with other is just something that I cannot wrap my head around. It was stated in the blog that students thought that on-line schooling allowed for more time to socialize with friends and play sports. This may be so, but part of the socialization that students receive at school is learning how to productively interact and work with people that they may not necessarily care for. These interaction will help students prepare for the work place where they also my not ‘like’ there co-workers, but they will at least know how to coexist in the work environment.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately my online class experience has not been so great. The classes I took were difficult and the material given was just not explained well. The navigation of the site was unorganized and made the class that much more time consuming. The teacher gave little feedback and the feedback she did give was rather inane. I think the online classes work for some but definitely not for all.
ReplyDeleteDepending on the learner and the particular class, online education can have great benefits. However, not all classes are created equally. Some navigations are difficult to orient yourself with. The structure has to be logically organized or a lot of time can be wasted figuring out how to work within it. In addition, you have to know what kind of learner you are. Some people just learn best from face to face interaction and discussion. What I have found very useful is online training I sometimes have to participate in for my school. These online sessions are usually straightforward ways to deliver information. Being able to participate in these on my own schedule is extremely helpful.
ReplyDeleteI think online learning does have a place in education, but I think that it has to be excellently executed. I think on-line instruction for anyone, mut be explicit, clear, and easy to work with in order to have a chance at truly being successful.
ReplyDelete