This article review reviews three articles related to online learning in the K-12 classroom.

Online learning is a tool that many will use in their educational journey; these articles point out
different perspectives when it comes to online learning and how the teacher can be effective with
this learning style.
The first article is titled Learning Online at the K-12 Level: A Parent/Guardian
Perspective. The article was based on a survey that was given to the parents and guardians of
children that were part of an online learning program. Many of the parents felt that the program
was beneficial and they were positive aspects to the program. The most common theme that the
parents enjoyed about the program was the interaction they had with the teachers; they felt that
they did not have the same type of interaction at a traditional school. One of the concerns that
they had was the self-discipline. They were concerned for their child to stay on task and turn
assignments on time. They also felt that they had more responsibility because they had to ensure
that their child understand the lesson, whereas in a traditional school that would have been the
teachers responsibility. Parents and guardians may be affected in ways that they were not when
their children attended traditional brick and mortar schools. (Sorensen, 2012) It is important to
understand the parents perspective when it comes to online learning because it helps the
teachers understand what ways they can help to accommodate both the students and their
parents. This information is also helpful to me as a future teacher to understand the needs of the
students and why online learning may be an option for some.
The second article is Critical Considerations for Teaching Students With Disabilities in
Online Environments. This is a very informative article. Most classrooms will have a student or
students will some type of disability. If the student has a learning disability we have to be able to
make accommodations for that child. When it comes to online learning that is no different. The

article gives many resources that are available to teachers to accommodate students with
different learning abilities. The article also stated that in order to accommodate the different
learners that teachers needed to make sure the online learning is to be individualized and
personalized to the learner. For example if there is a sixth grade student on a first grade math
level then that student should receive lessons on a first grade level until he/she shows mastery
and continues to work their way up. This is helpful to know as a teacher because the learning
will have to be based on the individual needs of the students.
The final article is titled Development of a Virtual Technology Coach to Support
Technology Integration for K-12 Educators. This article focuses on how effective having a
technology coach can be for teachers. The most common barrier that teachers would have when
it comes to different technology approaches is the ability to use them. According to this article
having a technology coach would provide teachers with the resources they needed to provide
effective instruction when it comes to online learning. Based on research from a study that was
done, providing technology coaches gave teachers confidence in integrating new technologies. It
also enhanced teachers technology skills. This would be a valuable resource to teachers because
they would have more skills to provide to their students. The problem with this is the schools
budget may not allow for a technology coach to come in. Another way to overcome that would
be to provide ongoing professional development in that area so that all teachers will continue to
grow in their technological skills. As a future teacher if a technology coach is not available to
me I would make use of the resources that are available to me to increase my skill set.

References

Greer, D., Rowland, A., & Smith, S. (2014). Critical Considerations for Teaching Students With
Disabilities in Online Environments. Teaching Exceptional Children, 46(5), 79-91.
Retrieved December 3, 2014.
Sorensen, C. (2012). Learning online at the k-12 level: A parent guardian perspective.
International Journal of Instructional Media, 39(4), 297-307. Retrieved December 3,
2014.
Sugar, W., & Slagter von Tryon, P. (2014). Development of a Virtual Technology Coach to
Support Technology Integration for K-12 Educators. TechTrends, 58(3), 54-62.
Retrieved December 3, 2014.