Online Learning

Isaac Asher is taking a class not offered in his high school: stock market investing. Isaac says, “I’ve always been fascinated by the stock market, I wanted to know how it worked, and I thought if I took it, it may help me out later on in life.”

For one period a day, Isaac goes to a virtual high school where more than one hundred classes are offered online.

Teacher Steve Quesinberry says, “For example, pre-veterinary medicine. I’ve had several girls in the past who thought they might want to be vets, and took the pre-veterinary medicine class which gave them a little bit of an idea, ‘Do I really want to do that?’”

Via the internet, each student is linked to a teacher who might be anywhere in the nation. 17-year-old Bryan Culpepper goes to Newnan High in Georgia, but he’s taking American Popular Music from a teacher in Massachusetts.

Using a password protected website, kids can get assignments, post their homework, and talk with their teacher. Student Brandi Deniz says, “Well my teacher, he keeps in contact everyday. He always writes with us. There’s things if we need to ask him, he’s always there and he’s always checking it everyday 2 or 3 times a day.”

But on-line learning may not work for everyone. Quesinberry says, “Usually the more motivated higher end students, the ones that really work and are willing to work are the ones you want taking this kind of class. Otherwise you are going to be looking over their shoulder all the time.”

Still, for motivated kids, online learning offers everything from Web Design to DNA Technology, courses their local high school could never afford. Quesinberry says, “They couldn’t afford to hire the teachers, the number of teachers to cover those type of classes. Every time you add an elective type class, you have an added expense.”
The U.S. Department of Education is recommending every school district give students the option of taking classes online. That recommendation is part of the newly released National Education Technology Plan. To learn more about how to start an online learning program at your school, visit the “Virtual High School”

In 1999, Congress established the Web-based Education Commission. The 16-member body was charged with exploring and maximizing educational opportunities of the Internet for all students, from pre-K to post-secondary. Their findings structured the foundation that allows public school systems to use federal monies to fund online learning programs.

Websites are no longer static; today’s technology enables an interactive environment when online. Streaming media technology provides real time and in-demand distribution of learning materials. Streaming sites also receive feedback from students, thus creating an optimum learning cycle. Some benefits of online learning include the following:

• Online learning gives cost-effective resources to rural educators and others with limited means.
• Students with special needs often find greater educational advancement through online learning.
• Online courses avoid many scheduling conflicts by providing convenience and flexibility.

Class.com lists schools worldwide that offer online educational opportunities. As a parent, there are many elements to look for when considering your child’s enrollment in an online course. Among the questions you should ask are:

• Does an established, traditional school run the online course?
• Does the teaching staff have sufficient knowledge about the subject?
• How is the teaching staff held accountable for their work?
• What is the student-to-teacher ratio? The Distance Learning Resource Center recommends this ratio be between 25:1 and 8:1.
• Does the course provide student-to-teacher interaction?
• Does the course provide student-to-student interaction?
• Is the class structured with a specific start and end date or is the completion time flexible?
• Does your child have time available each week to devote to this class?
• What portion of the tuition is refunded if the course is dropped?
• How are assignments made? The Distance Learning Resource Center recommends essays and projects over multiple-choice formats.
• Are assignments submitted electronically or by hard copy?
• Is the class taught using textbooks or software?
• Will your child’s current school accept an online course as a substitute for a traditional class?
• Will the college(s) your child plans to attend accept the online class as a legitimate high school course for college admission?

CBS MarketWatch
Distance Learning Resource Network
Web-based Education Commission
Virtual High School