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March 15, 2002
Virtual Learning Takes a Front Row Seat
By Susan McLester
Virtual learning in the K-12 arena is accelerating at a rapid pace, giving schools an unprecedented opportunity to enhance learning for both underserved and mainstream student populations.
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| Learners in remote locations, AP students, young parents, and kids who may have scheduling conflicts are among those benefiting from virtual courses. |
A recent Gartner study projects the global market for Web-based learning will grow from $2.1 billion this year to $33.6 billion in 2005. In business, government, and higher education, everybody from American Express to Stanford University, Oracle to the U.S. Coast Guard, is using some form of online learning to educate and train. Though these disparate entities may not have much else in common, what they share is a need and appreciation for what Web-based learning has to offer: round-the-clock availability, at-home flexibility, self-pacing, cost-effectiveness, a broad reach, and increased opportunities for teamwork with those in remote locations.
And though K-12 education has a reputation for lagging behind business in adopting new methods and technologies, in the case of Web-based, or "virtual," learning, it appears they're not so far behind. The appeal is the same as for business. In addition to providing educators with much-needed "anytime, anywhere" professional development opportunities, this new access to courses for K-12 students has already proven a powerful pathway to expanding and equalizing educational opportunities.
Since the 1996 pioneering efforts of The Concord Consortium's Virtual High School and the Florida Online High School (now the Florida Virtual School) state-, district-, and site-level initiatives have been forging the way for national and even global efforts.
A fall 2001 study by the Distance Learning Resource Network, Virtual Schools: Trends and Issues (www.dlrn.org/trends.html), reports that at least 14 states currently have planned or operational state-level virtual schools in place. The report also projects that in the 2001-2002 school year, 40,000 to 50,000 K-12 students will enroll in some kind of online course.
While virtual learning may not be taking the school building hostage, clearly it's signed on for a full course load and has settled into a front row seat.
Next: Born of Necessity
The Human Factor
Experimenting with Different Models
Issues and Challenges for K-12
Susan McLester is editor in chief of T&L.
One Virtual Learner's Experience
When students hit the ceiling on challenging course offerings in a traditional setting, virtual learning opportunities can keep them interested and learning.
Case in Point: After completing the highest-level offerings at the local Central School in Virginia Beach, Va., senior Benjamin Sachs was encouraged by the school's progressive administrators to continue a vertical learning sequence in his many areas of interest. Sachs has worked with a Taiwan-based teacher to design independent study courses in computer languages and has taken numerous AP courses, including calculus (in his sophomore year) and microeconomics. By graduation, he will have completed 15 or 16 Advanced Placement exams. |
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