Pros and Cons of Online High School Classes
Pros and Cons of Online High School Classes
Introduction to Educational Technology EME 2040
Char Fosmoe
Florida State College of Jacksonville
August 20, 2011
Abstract
Online courses in high school are causing much debate. Although many people are bucking the trend, those who have willingly taken online courses have found there are many benefits. However, with the integration of any new technology brings new concerns that need addressing. Although online courses may not be for everyone, they offer numerous perks that are typically limited with conventional schools.
Pros and Cons of Online High School Classes
While online classes are a part of many colleges, there is intense debate over whether they should be incorporated into high school education. The advocates of online education key in on the convenience, flexibility, self direction, cost savings, safety, creativity, pacing aspect and access to resources. Those opposed to online classes feel that online education is driven solely by budget cuts and the result is a cheaper education that has less guidance, lacks the social aspect, has accreditation issues and as a result, less beneficial to the students. Others think that blended learning which combines virtual education and face-to-face instruction is the most effective route, but possibly not the most cost effective. A recent report by the United States Department of Education states that online learning “is one of the fastest growing trends in educational uses of technology” (Means, Toyama, Murphy, Bakia, & Jones, 2010). The growth has been around 65% for the number of K-12 public schools that have enrolled in distance education and more than 1 million K-12 students have been estimated to take online courses in the 2007-08 school year (Means, et al., 2010). This growth has fueled much debate on whether or not students gain as much from virtual learning as they do with face-to-face instruction with a teacher. According to the study
Introduction to Educational Technology EME 2040
Char Fosmoe
Florida State College of Jacksonville
August 20, 2011
Abstract
Online courses in high school are causing much debate. Although many people are bucking the trend, those who have willingly taken online courses have found there are many benefits. However, with the integration of any new technology brings new concerns that need addressing. Although online courses may not be for everyone, they offer numerous perks that are typically limited with conventional schools.
Pros and Cons of Online High School Classes
While online classes are a part of many colleges, there is intense debate over whether they should be incorporated into high school education. The advocates of online education key in on the convenience, flexibility, self direction, cost savings, safety, creativity, pacing aspect and access to resources. Those opposed to online classes feel that online education is driven solely by budget cuts and the result is a cheaper education that has less guidance, lacks the social aspect, has accreditation issues and as a result, less beneficial to the students. Others think that blended learning which combines virtual education and face-to-face instruction is the most effective route, but possibly not the most cost effective. A recent report by the United States Department of Education states that online learning “is one of the fastest growing trends in educational uses of technology” (Means, Toyama, Murphy, Bakia, & Jones, 2010). The growth has been around 65% for the number of K-12 public schools that have enrolled in distance education and more than 1 million K-12 students have been estimated to take online courses in the 2007-08 school year (Means, et al., 2010). This growth has fueled much debate on whether or not students gain as much from virtual learning as they do with face-to-face instruction with a teacher. According to the study
References: Florida Department of Education. (2002). Class size reduction amendment. Retrieved from http://www.fldoe.org/classsize/. Florida Tax Watch Center for Educational Performance and Accountability. (2007). Final Report: A comprehensive assessment of Florida virtual school. Retrieved from http://www.inacol.org/research/docs/FLVS_Final_Final_Report(10-15-07).pdf. Florida Virtual School. (2011). Quick Facts. Retrieved from http://www.flvs.net/areas/aboutus/Pages/QuickFactsaboutFLVS.aspx. Gabriel, T. (2011). More pupils are learning online, fueling the debate on quality. New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/06/education/06online.html. Herrera, L. (2011). In Florida, virtual classrooms with no teachers. New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/06/education/06online.html. Means, B., Toyama, Y., Murphy, R., Bakia, M., & Jones, K. (2010). Evaluation of evidence-based practices in online learning. United States Department of Education, Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development, Policy and Program Studies Service: Washing, DC. Retrieved from http://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/tech/evidence-based-practices/finalreport.pdf.