Online LearningIs it the right choice for you?

What should an online learning educational service provide?

Meaningful Skills

-Skills should ensure that something new is learned, not just that something new is memorizwd

Light and Lean Work Load at First

-As technology is overwhelming for some, topics should be kept light and streamline into more rigorous training

To Ensure Best Practices, an Online Learning Service should Provide:

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Emotional Engagement

-Online learning programs must engage learners from the very beginning. Ie: NO PRE-TEST. Most learners become disengaged with the thought of taking a test that they will likely fail. Learners are more emotionally committed when showing off what they DO know.

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Connected Concepts

-Good concepts are elaborated into meaningful rationale. It is beneficial for the learners to understand these concepts of learning but also be able to attain and apply concepts later in time.

Elaborated Examples

-Examples should illuminate the expectation clearly, and include context and actual steps to achieve exemplar work status.

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Pragmatic Practices

-Practice should involve application of knowledge, not just testing of it. Practice should be contextualized, meaningful, challenging, and useful.

Refined Reflection

-Reflection should be done by instructors as well as learners, to provide closure, which is not necessarily just a final grade, rather a come-together with thoughts and expectations for next steps.

Pros and Deltas of Online Learning

Pros:

Pros Cont’d

+Allows for learning in in distant or disadvantaged locations.

+Facilitates easy information transfer.

+Class work can be scheduled around personal and professional work.

+Reduces travel cost and time to and from school.

+Learners may have the option to select learning materials that meets their level of knowledge and interest.

Pros Cont’d

+Learners can study wherever they have access to a computer and Internet.

+Self-paced learning modules allow learners to work at their own pace.

+Flexibility to join discussions in the bulletin board threaded discussion areas at any hour, or visit with classmates and instructors remotely in chat rooms.

+Different learning styles are addressed and facilitation of learning occurs through varied activities.

Pros Cont’d

+Development of computer and Internet skills that are transferable to other facets of learner's lives.

+Successfully completing online or computer-based courses builds self-knowledge and self-confidence and encourages students to take responsibility for their learning.

Pros and Deltas Cont’d

Deltas:

Deltas Cont’d

^Changing technology may create barriers to accessing learning environments.

^Limited understanding of effective teaching methods due to youth of online learning.

^Unmotivated learners or those with poor study habits may fall behind.

^Lack of familiar structure and routine may take getting used to.

^Students may feel isolated or miss social interaction.

Deltas Cont’d

^Instructor may not always be available on demand.

^Slow or unreliable Internet connections can be frustrating.

^Managing learning software can involve a learning curve.

^Some courses such as traditional hands-on courses can be difficult to simulate.

What Denver Public Schools Offers

Although Denver is continually improving upon its online learning programs, this program boasts many highlights:

Denver Public Schools

DPS offers accelerated classes that are designed to meet the needs of busy students with active lifestyles. Accelerated classes are classes that cover the same amount of material as a traditional 18 week semester-long class in 9 weeks or even sooner depending on the student.

Denver Online High School is a choice, not an alternative.DPS High School is a choice providing top-quality, personalized education for students,outside the traditional classroom. Online learning is NOT for everyone. Denver Online High School requires self-disciplined students who are dedicated to learning. Online classes also require a great deal of reading and interacting with others through the use of discussion boards and instant messaging.

Denver Public Schools Cont’d

Academia offered includes:

English

Math

Science

Social Sciences

Foreign Languages

Electives

Advanced Placement®

Is Online Learning Right for You?

Hopefully you have come to a better understanding of online learning and you can now answer the question, “Is online learning right for me?”

Online Learners:

Online learning is right for me if:

*I am self motivated.

*I am an independent learner who can direct my own learning.

*I have good written communication skills.

*I have high reading comprehension level.

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*I am able to manage my time and set goals.

*I have basic to above average computer skills.

*I have access to parent/mentor support.

*I am committed to earning a good education.

References

Seven Steps to E-Learning

http://www.elearning.org/subpage.cfm?section=best_practices&articles

Implementing Best Practices in Online Learning

http://educasue.edu/EDUCAUSE+Quarterly/EDUCAUSEQuarterly

Designing for Learning- Teaching Online

http://designingforlearning.info/services/writing.ecoach.tenbest.html

Online Learning

http://www.technical-vocational-schools.com/online_classroom_learning.aspx

References Cont’d

E-Learning Advantages and Disadvantages

http://www.about-elearning.com/e-learning-advantages-and-disadvantages.html

Denver Online High School

http://online.dpsk12.org/

Best High Schools Online

http://besthighschoolsonline.com/denver-public-school-online/