We all know that the development of effective online learning techniques is vital to the success of both teachers and students. Many schools are creating learning modules and then apply them in the classroom but are they meeting each objective, have they challenged students in a way that will have them doing research outside of the classroom? How well are students doing, do we know? Or should we have outside vendors helping us monitor independent student success based on an individualized program? The answers to these issues are vital if we really want to continue offering hybrid and online learning in K12 spaces.

Using Engagement as a Measurement Tool

So the first thing that schools must decide is what metrics are we going to use to measure a learning program. What are the variables that must be monitored, and how do they go about measuring those variables? There are several different types of areas that are common to measure when creating a new program. The first type of variable is student engagement. What rubric are you currently using now to measure student engagement? Student engagement is vital to the success of both online learning programs and brick-and-mortar schools. (1) Especially at the middle school and high school level, student engagement is important as it teaches children to interact with one another, formed groups and teams, and Foster self-confidence to explain their reasoning to their peers (Journal of Critical Reviews, 2020).

It is much easier to create effective online learning and brick-and-mortar learning methods in college and graduate school because the students can decide for themselves if they want to take place in an experimental learning program. Also, the school can just tell the college students that the program is experimental, and everyone who decides to participate in the program is monitored but for K12 many parents do not want their children in experimental programs. They want to place their student in an already proven program, so their child doesn't go through a program that is deemed unsuccessful at the very end (Horowitz, Juliana Menasce, and Ruth Igielnik, 2021). Also, parents do not want their children to be monitored excessively by the school.

Making things better for the future

But no matter the cost, it is imperative that there are multiple online learning programs for K - 12th grade and University students. The accessibility that online learning programs provide the general public and their children is invaluable to society as a whole. So experimental online learning programs must take a front seat in the educational sector. Plus, any program that helps online learning will also help brick-and-mortar schools, especially when it comes to learning effectiveness outside of the school and student engagement in and outside the classroom.

 References:

 "Https://Www.jcreview.com/Fulltext/197-1580283115.Pdf?1580292009." Journal of Critical Reviews, vol. 7, no. 01, 2020, doi:10.31838/jcr.07.01.52.

 Horowitz, Juliana Menasce, and Ruth Igielnik. "How Parents of K-12 Students View Online Learning." Pew Research Center's Social & Demographic Trends Project, Pew Research Center, 24 Feb. 2021, www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2020/10/29/most-parents-of-k-12-students-learning-online-worry-about-them-falling-behind/.

Participation Rubric for remote Learning: Norwood Public Schools https://campussuite-storage.s3.amazonaws.com/prod/1213978/583ade96-581b-11e7-99ef-124f7febbf4a/2087459/49ae8e10-863d-11ea-ab40-0a6be9f5a20b/file/Participation%20Rubric%20for%20Remote%20Learning%20-%20updated.pdf