Pros And Cons Of Online Education For The World Citizen
Posted by admin in Online Education on November 22, 2011
More and more young people are choosing non-traditional education to start and advance in their careers while completing and furthering their formal education. “Typical distance learners are those who don’t have access to programs, employees who work during scheduled class hours, homebound individuals, self-motivated individuals who want to take courses for self-knowledge or advancement, or those who are unable or unwilling to attend class” (Charp, 2000, p. 10). Three key elements surround the online learner: technology, curriculum, and instructor (Bedore, Bedore, & Bedore, 1997). These elements must be keenly integrated into one smoothly and operationally functional delivery tool.
While an online method of education can be a highly effective alternative medium of education for the mature, self-disciplined student, it is an inappropriate learning environment for more dependent learners. Online asynchronous education gives students control over their learning experience, and allows for flexibility of study schedules for non traditional students; however, this places a greater responsibility on the student. In order to successfully participate in an online program, student must be well organized, self-motivated, and possess a high degree of time management skills in order to keep up with the pace of the course. For these reasons, online education or e-learning is not appropriate for younger students (i.e. elementary or secondary school age), and other students who are dependent learners and have difficulty
assuming responsibilities required by the online paradigm. Read the rest of this entry »
Online Education Expands to High Schools Online
Posted by admin in Online Education on November 22, 2011
Following the trend set by colleges around the world, a younger group of students is leaving the classroom behind and enrolling in high schools online. Learning online is becoming increasingly popular among high school students who do not favor learning in a traditional classroom environment. A variety of students can benefit from schools online, from those with behavioral or social issues to students with an increased interest in computers and technology.
In mid-January, George Washington University (GWU) launched a new, fully-online high school. Classes for the school’s 16 enrolled students began the week following GWU’s announcement. Currently, students log on from nine different states. The school has been designed to meet the needs of students across the country, in addition to serving as a research opportunity for GWU’s Graduate School of Education and Human Development.
The online school is targeted at teenagers who may have trouble in a traditional high school setting, like those with social disorders or children who have parents in the military and must frequently move from one school district to another. Yearly tuition falls just under $10,000 per student. Read the rest of this entry »