Online Education for K-12? What's it all about?

In education, there is always a push to indiviudalize each child's learning. This is the ideal situation for all learners; however, this ideal does not usually work in the traditional classroom. There is a growing push for online learning communities within K-12 schools which can benefit students' individual needs and interests. These communities, which are already employed successfully in higher education institutions, can be terrific if set up correctly. The following is a video clip from an online learning environment used with Chicago Public Schools via home schooling situations.


Not sold on the idea of home schooling?  What if online learning communities were used for a hybrid model?  That means that classes meet and then continue the lessons via the internet.


What kind of education would you have desired as a teenager?  Traditional classroom learning, a hybrid model, or completely online?

Synchronous or Asynchrous Communication--Which Is Better?

Synchronous communication occurs when people discourse at the same time with one another.  This can be done face-to-face or technologically through resources such as Skype.  Asynchorous communication occurs when participants in the discussion post their thoughts at different times.  The communication, thereby, occurs over an extended period of time with the chance to really take in the ideas.  Here are some additional resources for understanding the difference between the two:






Which one is better?

It depends on the situation.  Both are great for their own reasons.

Online PLCs

Professional learning communities may extend beyond a traditional classroom and into the virtual one.  In order to do so, a number of considerations need to be thought out and planned for.  However, the payback for the investment of time and resources into Online PLCs can prove to be very beneficial for those involved. 

As noted in this link, online PLCs offer the chance for students to share, collaborate, be social, and ultimately raise the bar on their learning.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a32eDsxDfjY

However, not everyone is as gung ho about the idea of distance learning.  In the following clip, Darth Vader questions the effectiveness of online PLCs.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj4M2bgzdhQ

So which view point is correct--the positive one or the Darth Vader one?  They both are right.  Online PLCs are only as good as their creators and only work if a sense of community is established with participants.  This type of learning has many advantages and many drawbacks such as autonomy and isolation.  Every effort must be made to help ease the disadvantages of this type of community.