Online Learning in Public Schools
Some state school systems around the United States are embracing e-learning more readily and quickly than in other states. There are several reasons for a delayed adoption of online education in public schools, and most of them involve money. Money is always in short supply in public education. Federal funding often arrives with hefty strings attached that end up costing more than the original funding supplied, and state funding often depends on matched federal dollars to help bolster it along. This cycle often results in the loss of potentially helpful programs for furthering the use of technology in classrooms — and now, in cyber classrooms.
In North Carolina, a state program called BETA, in partnership with Direct TV D3Q has helped launch the first online public school in that state. Teachers, fully licensed by the State of North Carolina just like regular classroom teachers, supply online learning environments for e-students, post regular working “office” hours for communicating with parents and students, and collaborate in vLCs with colleagues. All of this is equivalent to traditional public classroom teaching.
Students can expect to be enrolled in full time courses just like their traditional school attending counterparts seated in desks in public school buildings throughout the state. According to the official website for the NCVPS (North Carolina Virtual Public School), the benefits of online learning are numerous.
Online learning can prepare students for challenges of the real world. Instructors have been specifically trained to facilitate a productive and stimulating online learning experience for virtual students. For example:
- Online learning is a part of a life fully lived in the 21st Century. Here, students get an early jump on integratinging the skills and processes that will make them successful in the world of tomorrow.
- Lessons can be highly scaled for the learner’s needs.
- Learning processes are largely self-directed, asynchronous, and teacher facilitated ,depending on the lessons.
- Learning opportunities may be brought easily into daily routines.
- Online learning uses resources more effectively and efficiently. Students can attend lessons and revisit ones they have already taken, learn via video, or listen to podcasts when they want to learn or relearn a concept covered.
Online learning is on your schedule, at your pace,wherever you happen to be. If you can maintain a reasonable degree of self-discipline, the many benefits of eLearning are practically countless. You can review the materials when you have time without ever traveling to a classroom. There are no parking issues or expenses, no transportation fees, no athletic fees, no housing or food service fees, and you can participate in the class from any location with internet access.
