In a short time, online learning for K-12 has seen substantial growth since its conception in 1996. In that time, virtual schools have gleaned considerable public interest and recognition in the last decade. Michigan was the first state to require each student to have exposure to online learning prior to graduating.

Since then, 30 states and DC schools have adapted the blended online school practice serving around 310,000 students. Despite setbacks, the retention rate for high school and college and the graduation rates are increasing steadily. Pressure has ramped up the need for the K-12 educational system in the US to reform high school and college learning and teaching to meet the needs of a global economy. E-learning is an alternative opportunity where students can benefit from a broader range of educational options.

 Changes Are Coming

Families are searching for more accessible, high quality, and cost-efficient learning opportunities for students whose educational needs are always changing. The immediate demand has been for changes that have to be at least on the same par as face-to-face learning.  As students take on more of their educational responsibilities and teachers become more as facilitators, motivators, and troubleshooters in the virtual learning setting, changes must be made. We at Educational Innovation 360 are excited to share that the educational field paradigm is changing form industrial-age to a learner-centered information-age paradigm. This change in paradigm transforms teachers and students into co-creators of their own knowledge; making learning more relevant in their lives.

 Students Are More Tech Savvy

Students today are now more comfortable with computer technology now more than any other time in history as they play, communicate, learn, and socialize online. It only makes sense for the education field to change to meet the technology demands of students.  Computer technology has taken over all aspects of daily life and the field of education has changed. The evolutionary growth of “distance learning” is making online education mainstream across the country. Current trends in K-12 learning is directly related to e-learning; leading the push for a reduction in text-based resources. This has led to the integration of the virtual classroom like online resources, chat sessions, blogs, podcasts, and online videos.

 Some States are Ahead of the Program

There are several states that have taken the leap ahead to provide virtual learning for students in categories such as, funding, accountability, accreditation, network sustainability, and so on.

➢      Alabama: A statewide system that is free of charge connecting students and teachers grades 9-12. The curriculum offers dual credit, electives, core classes via Web-based networks, or video-conferencing, and some face-to-face learning.

➢      Arizona: Provides a virtual charter school for K-12 and provides the student with the curriculum, a computer, a printer, and subsidized internet services.

➢      Georgia: Since 2005 has been supplementing private, public, and home schools plus offering tuition-based summer school.

➢      Florida: Created the first web-based public high school in the country and now includes middle schools. Students taking online courses outperform their peers who are still in traditional schools.

➢      Louisiana: Has partnered with public colleges and universities to tailor an individualized program for higher education students.

➢      South Carolina: Has taken the Florida model and adapted that system for that state’s high school students.

 Last Thought

Online learning has made a major contribution to the learning of students K-12 across the country and may very well become the standard for learning across the board. Statistics support the continued use of virtual schools as a learning platform for future students. Learning is enhanced through online classes that are continually becoming restructured to meet student needs.  This requires that teachers become learning experts while supporting students online instead of in the face-to-face classroom. The learning curve is steep but as educators, we must adapt and change with the times.

  Sources

 Marius Boboc. Cleveland State University. USA