For hundreds of years K12 students have received an education using the same basic tools; pencil, paper, desk, and teachers. Is there anything wrong with getting an education the old fashioned way? Absolutely not! The traditional face to face classroom allows students to communicate with their classmates and interact socially. It encourages discussion with the teacher when problems arise. The traditional classroom also lends itself to the comfort of a consistent way of doing things along with a typical school-day schedule. Using these concepts, could we also apply them to a different learning environment with similar expectations and results?
The distance learning classroom can include live chats and discussion boards that promote communication and interaction with peers (and improves writing skills since almost all communication is done in writing). Continuous communication about assignments and expectations via email promotes clarity on any misunderstandings. Although most children “expect” a normal school schedule, often times they are relieved to finish their traditional school day to come home and go directly to their other world filled with technology of every kind.
Regardless of what side of the fence you stand on, distance learning in K12 is a phenomenon that shows no signs of slowing. The Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN) is the latest organization to begin offering distance learning courses to 9th-12th grade students and plans to continue to grow their program adding new grades for years to come. Florida Virtual School (flvs) continues to be the leader in pioneering distance learning for K12. Serving over 100,000 students, they began their journey in 1997, with a dream, a grant and 77 enrollments. Other states leading initiatives are Georgia Virtual School and North Carolina Virtual Public School. Why is distance learning in the K12 environment growing?
Today, families are struggling with a host of reasons traditional education is falling short. There are six basic reasons families may consider distance learning.
1. Credit recovery – Students have failed a course they need in order to graduate. Online classes allow the student to take it again.
2. Advanced Placement Courses – Smaller schools may not offer college prep courses a student needs such as Calculus, Foreign language, or AP English; online classes allow the student to get the class he/she needs. This may especially be the case in small, rural schools.
3. Extended Illness – Unfortunately students encounter long term illnesses or struggle with health problems that prevent them from sitting in a classroom 8 hours a day. Online classes allow them the flexibility they need.
4. Scheduling Conflicts – Some students spend hours training for extracurricular activities such as gymnastics or swim team. Online classes offer them the flexibility to schedule their school hours around their other activities.
5. Homeschool students – Homeschooling is also a growing force in K12 education. When children need the upper level courses, online classes allow them access to the content they need to supplement the home classroom.
6. Family Care – This could include caring for younger siblings, aging parents/grandparents, or children through a teenage pregnancy. Online classes provide a way for students to care for family and still finish what they started.
Next week in Part 2 of this three part series on K12 Distance Learning, we’ll look at readiness levels for K12 online learning students, examine a survey done by Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), and introduce a new option to the secondary distance learning market to assist students.
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