The Introductory Guide to Online Learning

I recently attended the Virtual School Symposium which brings educators interested in online learning together from around the world. Following my visit to the symposium I shared my Recommendations to Improve Online Learning and Reasons Students Say They Prefer Learning Online. Today, in places like New York City, online learning is being incorporated into the traditional classrooms, known as blended or hybrid learning, with tremendous success, especially for credit recovery, advanced placement (to promote college-readiness), continuity of learning during a pandemic, dual enrollment, and more.

The realization by administrators, teachers and parents that online courses can fill gaps in course offerings as well as complement traditional classroom instruction with engaging, interactive materials has generated many questions about implementing online learning programs:

• What does an online course look like?
• How do students interact with their teacher?
• What qualifications and training are required of teachers?
• Does online learning really work?
• What state or school district policies are needed to implement online learning?

To help answer those questions, The International Association of K-12 Online Learning released an updated introduction to online learning this week. They also released a state-by-state update of progress. The National Primer on K-12 Online Learning provides a comprehensive overview of online learning by examining the basics about online teaching and learning, evaluating academic success, professional development, technology and other topics.


Highlights include:

1. iNACOL’s official online learning definitions
2. A framework for online and blended learning adapted from the TPAC model to describe the key elements as an approach to systemic educational transformation (see chart below).
   

Online Learning Definitions

• Asynchronous communication: Communication that is separated by time. Examples are email, online discussion forums, message boards, blogs, podcasts, etc.
• Blended learning (also hybrid learning): Learning that is facilitated by the effective combination of different modes of delivery, models of teaching and styles of learning, and is based on transparent communication amongst all parties involved with a course.
• Credit recovery: Refers to a student passing, and receiving credit for, a course that he/she previously attempted but did not succeed in earning academic credit towards graduation.
• Cyberschool (also online school and virtual school): A formally constituted organization (public, private, state, charter, etc.) that offers full-time education delivered primarily over the Internet.
• Learning Management System (LMS): The technology platform through which online courses are offered. A LMS generally includes software for creating and editing course content, communication tools, assessment tools, and other features for managing the course.
• Online course: Any course offered over the Internet.
• Online learning (also cyber learning, elearning, and virtual learning): Education in which instruction and content are delivered primarily over the Internet; online learning is a form of distance learning. The term does not include printed-based correspondence education, broadcast television or radio, videocassettes, and stand-alone educational software programs that do not have a significant Internet-based instructional component.
• Online teacher: The person who is responsible for instruction in an online course.
• State virtual school: An entity created and supported by a state to provide online academic courses to elementary, middle, and high school students using qualified online teachers.
• Synchronous communication: Communication in which the participants interact in the same time space. Examples are telephone calls, videoconferencing, chat, and face-to-face communication.

Educators interested in finding out more about online learning can download a copy for free here.

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Editor’s note: This post contains numerous excerpts from the National Primer on K-12 online learning's Preface from Susan D. Patrick, President and CEO, International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL).

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8 Videos to Stimulate Conversations About Educating Innovatively

Tech & Learning's Virtual Tech Forum provided a fantastic way to engage in stimulating conversation with innovative educators on a variety of provocative topics that are the key to preparing 21st century learners. The format allowed for participants to watch a featured video and then chat about the topic. The chats were fast-paced, action-packed and full of a whole lot of stimulating conversation and ideas.

There is no reason the conversation has to end there. These videos are still available (and free of charge) for anyone who wants to start conversation or keep it going. Simply show the video and invite viewers to discuss either verbally or via chat as we did during the original tech forum. You can take things a step further by inviting these educators to chat with you virtually via Skype or using an instant message service.

Here are the video topics.

• High School 2.0: Talking Change for Today and Tomorrow with Vallerie Cave and Mike Hall
• Progressive Learning Environments: What do they Look Like?with Chris Lehmann
• Cells in the Classroom: From Banning to Embracing with Lisa Nielsen and WillynWeb
• Internet 2 and High-Bandwidth Connectivity: How and Why to Jump on Board with Dr. Joseph Barrow and Mike Porter
• Facebook, You Tube and Other Mainstream Tools: Do they Belong in the Classroom? with Cathy Swan
• The Impact of Social Media in Schools: Welcoming and Responding to the Disruption with David Jakes and David Warlick
• Disruptive Innovation: Fad, Fantasy, or Future of Learning? with Kim Carter
• 21st Century Skills: Are Our Schools Teaching Them? with Howie DiBlasi

To watch any of these videos, simply click on the picture below which will take you to each of the videos. Enjoy!

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