IT 5650 Miyashita Trends Analysis Presentation Handout

Trends in K-12 E-Learning

Mark Miyashita
University of Colorado Denver
IT 5650 Miyashita Trends Analysis Presentation Handout

Abstract

Trends in K-12 E-learning is an important topic in the expansion and popularity of

distance learning, as it develops across the United States. With the expansion of technology,
many questions are being asked about how to incorporate these ideas into the classroom and
promote students to think and learn beyond the traditional walls of a school.
Growth in e learning has increased tremendously over the past decade as more school
officials explore the opportunities that it provides. According to Sloan (2008):
← Three quarters of the responding public school districts are offering online or blended
courses:
• 75% had one or more students enrolled in a fully online or blended course.
• 70% had one or more students enrolled in a fully online course.
• 41% had one or more students enrolled in a blended course
These percentages represent an increase of approximately 10% since 2005-2006.
• 66% of school districts with students enrolled in online or blended courses anticipate
their online enrollments will grow.
• The overall number of K-12 students engaged in online courses in 2007-2008, is
estimated at 1,030,000. This represents a 47% increase since 2005-2006.
The implementation and expansion of e-learning has allowed for students to personalize their
educational experience, no longer relying upon the group pacing of the traditional brick and
mortar school. According to Kruse:
• “Synchronous e-learning is self-paced. Advanced learners are allowed to speed
through or bypass instruction that is redundant while novices slow their own progress
through content, eliminating frustration with themselves, their fellow learners, and the
course.”
Student achievements has not lagged in e-learning courses and in many instances
students taking these courses have scored just as well as students in the traditional
face-to-face settings.
The ability to save money in a time of financial challenges has pushed many school
officials to look at the introduction of e-learning models. Although, there will be
significant initial costs, the long term savings can be provided for in a reduction of
physical buildings, transportation, paper, and staff reductions that are only needed in
the traditional educational setting. These savings will allow for money to be invested
in updated technology allowing for better servers, bandwidth, and hardware to run the
e-learning courses.
Some of the obstacles faced in implementing e learning are stated by Coffey (2009)
“The K-12 sector has been slower in embracing virtual schools because of lack of
network access, a face-to-face teaching culture that includes some political resistance,
and lack of teacher training. The main limitations for expansion of distance education in
the K-12 sector include costs of course development, lack of technological infrastructure,
concerns about the quality of online courses, federal, state and district restrictions, and
uncertainty about funding for students at a distance.”
Overall, the opportunities in e learning are expanding and those associated with education will
face many new challenges as it continues to grow and become part of the fabric of the American
education system.
IT 5650 Miyashita Trends Analysis Presentation Handout

Bibliography:

Batson, T. (2009, April 15). Why is Web 2.0 important to higher education? . Retrieved from
http://www.campustechnology.com/Articles/2009/04/15/Why-Web-2.0-is-Important-to-
Higher-Education.aspx

Coffey, M, & Porto, S. (2009). An E-learning response to 21st century educational challenges.
Seen Magazine, Retrieved from
http://www.seenmagazine.us/Sections/ArticleDetail/tabid/79/smid/403/ArticleID/43/reftab/
80/Default.aspx

Davis, Michelle. (2009, March 26). Breaking away from tradition. Retrieved from
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/03/26/26intro.h28.html?
tkn=MYVFriRpi1muWW1THj52bWcKMS9g8Sz1ayB6

Kruse, Kevin. (n.d.). The Benefits and drawbacks of e-learning. Retrieved from
http://www.e-earningguru.com/articles/art1_3.htm

Schooley, Claire. (2009, July 3). The Roi of e-learning. Retrieved from
http://www.kmworld.com/Articles/Editorial/Feature/The-ROI-of-e-learning-54973.aspx

(2005, September 22). Waynte state university study recommends expansion of elearning for k12
education. Retrieved from http://media.wayne.edu/2005/09/22/wayne-state-university-
study-recommends-expansion-of-elearning-for-k12-education

(2008). Keeping pace. Retrieved from http://www.kpk12.com/downloads/KeepingPace_2008.pdf

(2008). K–12 online learning: a 2008 follow-up of the survey of u.s. school district
administrators. Retrieved from http://www.sloan-
c.org/publications/survey/k-12online2008