What is Online Learning?

The Evergreen Education Group (2012) describes online learning, also known as distance learning, eLearning, and virtual learning, as teacher-led education that provides a structured learning environment for students using the internet as a delivery medium. Typically the teacher and the student are separated geographically and interact through web-based systems and software. How and when the teacher and students interact fashions two modes of online delivery, synchronous and asynchronous. Synchronous online learning involves the interaction between the teacher and the class participants in real time using web-based applications such as skype, google hangouts, or video chat. Asynchronous online learning involves time-lapsed communication through mediums such as email, text, or discussion forums.

Online learning became a reality in the 1990’s with the advent of computers in the home and more importantly, the internet (Virtual Learning Academy, n.d.). The idea of being able to teach anyone anywhere grew quickly in popularity leading to the development of online learning schools, also known as virtual schools and cyber schools. By the 2013-2014 school year, online schools were operating in 25 states and were offering a variety of programs for K-12 students (International Association for K-12 Online Learning [iNACOL], 2013a).

Who Attends K-12 Online Learning Schools?

An estimated 200,000 K-12 students were enrolled in full-time online learning courses during the 2009-2010 school year, and by the 2013-2014 school year, the number grew to over 310,000 students (iNACOL, 2013a). So who are these students? Well, they are students that were bored by the pace in their traditional school or were falling behind pace; students who wanted to take classes that weren't offered at their traditional school such as Advanced Placement (AP) courses; students who were elite athletes or performers and would need to miss a significant amount of school; students who were homebound due to illness or injury; students who failed courses or needed credit recovery; and even students who were pregnant or incarcerated (iNACOL, 2013b).

Students can enroll in online learning schools as full-time or part-time students.  Full-time students take a full course load of the same rigorous courses he or she would take at a traditional brick-and-mortar school. Part-time students enroll in one or a few courses for a variety of reasons. For example, students wishing to take a course not offered at their traditional high school or credit recovery for failed courses.

How Does an Online Learning Program Work?

K¹² is an organization that has developed a patented methodology for online learning and has designed rigorous K-12 curriculum. The K¹² curriculum is utilized by K¹²’s own private K-12 International Academy as well as by state run online public partner schools around the country in which the K¹² program is customized to each state’s standards and requirements (K¹², n.d.).

According to K¹², use of the K¹² curriculum provides each student with:

1. A rigorous and engaging content, utilizing state-of-the-art online lessons. Additionally, students receive a shipment of traditional materials such as textbooks, CDs, videos, and hands-on manipulatives that complement interactive learning.

2. An individualized learning plan designed for each child that is customized to fit each child’s unique strengths, weaknesses, learning styles and aptitudes.

3. A learning coach to facilitate daily progress for students K-8. The learning coach is typically the parent and plays more of a supportive role for high school students.

4. Cutting-edge technology that enables individualized learning to happen anytime, anywhere. The online school itself provides daily lesson plans that automatically update as the child progresses, as well as delivering announcements, online school discussions, and communication and support tools to tie the experience together (K¹², n.d.)

The following video describes a typical day for a 3rd grade student enrolled in the K¹² program.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE8KPErxtY8

Developing Quality K-12 Online Learning Programs

The mission of the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) is “to ensure all students have access to a world-class education and quality online learning opportunities that prepare them for a lifetime of success” (iNACOL, 2013b). But what do quality online opportunities look like? Ideally, quality online programs should meet the same quality standards as traditional brick-and-mortar programs. Therefore, iNACOL established eight standards that should be met by all online learning courses in order to guarantee a quality program. Overviews of the eight standards can be seen in the image to the left.  Additionally, iNACOL provides a series of videos that elaborate on each standard which can be found on page 33 of 46 within the following publication: http://digitallearningnow.com/site/uploads/2014/05/Online-Learning-Paper-.pdf

Links to Online Learning Schools

• K-12 International Academy (K-12 courses)

• IQ Academy California-Los Angeles (K-12 courses - K¹² partner school)

• Florida Virtual School (K-12 courses)

• Riverside Virtual School (3-12 courses)

• Michigan Virtual School (6-12 courses)

An Online Learning Experience

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SssQbXqrF4 

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References

Backbone Education. (2011, September 21). CNN k12 virtual school program [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/2SssQbXqrF4.  

Evergreen Education Group. (2012). Keeping pace with K-12 online & blended learning. Retrieved from http://www.kpk12.com/reports/

International Association for K-12 Online Learning. (2013a). Fast facts about online learning. Retrieved from

 http://www.inacol.org/resources/publications/inacol-reports/#6275

International Association for K-12 Online Learning. (2013b). Online learning: Myths, reality & promise. Retrieved from

 http://www.inacol.org/resources/publications/inacol-reports/#8249

K¹². (n.d.). How a K¹² education works. Retrieved from http://www.k12.com/what-is-k12/how-k12-education-works#.VTHxyGZFIkM

K¹². (2013, July 17). Meet Marcus: a K12 day-in-the-life [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/JE8KPErxtY8

Virtual Learning Academy. (n.d.). History of virtual schools. Retrieved from http://vlacs.org/about-us/history-of-virtual-schools/