K-12 Online Learning

Tiffany Gatling
UIS 350/Online

Online learning, distance learning, and e-learning all are growing rapidly in
our environment today. Many colleges and some schools have already went to
online learning, some have switch to online learning only. How will this all work for
our younger generation such as elementary, middle, and high school students?

Well according to the teachers at the University of Illinois, they feel that
classroom teachers can actually learn a thing or two from E-learning. (3) E- learning
can be defined as being accessible using technological tools that are either webbased, web distributed, or web capable. (2) It consists of technology based learning,
lectures, homework, quizzes, and exams that are all delivered almost entirely or
completely online. (3) Caroline Haythornthwaite a professor stated that online
learning is underrated, and some of its techniques can augment traditional
classroom learning styles. (3)

Online learning is learner friendly. In 1996-2008, students who attended

online classes actually performed better than those who attended face-to-face
classroom instructions. (1) Testing showed those who attended online ranked fiftyninth percentile in testing performance, verses those in classroom structure that
scored in the 50th percentile. (1) This shows that online may be more effective than
classrooms. This is not saying that classroom structure will disappear, but it sure
puts hope in expansion for online teaching.

The goal of online learning is to provide tools to the students that are
promising to each individuals learning ability. (1) K-12 schools are now introducing
students to the online life. It is guaranteed to improve in both K-12 and college
campuses. (1) It has already advanced to things such as: web-based videos, instant
messaging, and collaboration tools. (1) Many instructors are already taking
advantage of these things.

I personally think that online learning will be a positive thing for teachers
and students. To know that testing performances are higher in online learning
verses classroom instruction, put me further on board with online learning. I am a
little scared that it may take away from the interaction, and social skills of our young
generation. But Professors like Lohr, ease me when he states Learning occur within
a community. (1) Online has benefits like being able to drop in at anytime and
interact with students, also posting articles or findings and getting immediate
feedback verses classroom only being able to discuss class meetings.

Online learning is growing rapidly in the technology world. I see by the time I
start teaching, it being at the stage of blended teaching where instruction will be
both in class and online. I am very interested in seeing the growth and how it will
impact our future generation. I look forward to technology growing as long as it
doesnt take from the jobs available to the citizens.

References:

1. Lohr, Steve. Study Finds that online Education, Beats the Classroom August
9, 2009. www.bits.blogs.nytimes.com
2. Joi L Moore, Camille Dickson-Deane, Krista Galyen. E-learning, Online
Learing, and Distance Learning Environments. October 15, 2010.
www.scholar.vt.edu
3. University of Illinois Olt Urbana-Champaign. E-learning can Have Positive
Effect on Classroom Learning. December 9, 2008
www.sciencedaily.com