Running head: K-12 ONLINE LEARNING ARTICLE REVIEWS

K-12 Distance Education Article Reviews

Jaclyn Cordero
Regent University

K-12 Online Learning Article Reviews

Summary
I overviewed three different articles. The first article I read, Everybody is their own
Island: Teacher Disconnection in a Virtual School, follows a study conducted to test how
educators perceive their role as online teachers (Hawkins, Barbour & Graham, 2012, pp. 129130). Many teachers described a sense of isolationism that resulted, not only between the
teacher-student relationship, but also among fellow teachers. One teacher described his view of
teaching online as, everybody is their own island, which is where the article gets its name.
Unfortunately, many online teachers also feel disconnected from their teaching professions
they no longer feel like legitimate teachers.
The second article I read, Teaching in the World of Virtual K12 learning: Challenges to
Ensure Educator Quality, gave a long overview of online learning, including the different types
of online learning, challenge and promises of online learning, and the current state of online

K-12 ONLINE LEARNING ARTICLE REVIEWS

education. However, the purpose of this study was to clue in educators on what policies states are
creating regarding online educators and to provide some recommendations for current or future
teachers who may venture into the realm of online learning. The study predicts significant
growth in online learning and recommends a content-area assessment so teachers who have the
credentials to teach in one state do not have to repeat any tests to teach online students in other
states (Natale, 2011, p. 36). The article also serves to provide practical advice to online
educators, including the following: As technology evolves, all teachers need to establish clear
expectations for student participation, products and pacing; to guide and individualize learning;
and to engage students using multiple modes of communication (Natale, 2011, p. 35).
The third and final article I read, Priorities in K12 Distance Education: A Delphi Study
Examining Multiple Perspectives on Policy, Practice, and Research, which serves to identify
and facilitate the current issues of the progressive field of online education (Rice, 2009, p. 163).
In a survey about the parts of online education that need to be emphasized more, evaluation of
course design and delivery, best practice, accountability, and access were ranked the highest
(Rice, 2009, p. 168).
Importance of Findings
These findings are important, because they show that, while online learning is beneficial
to many K-12 students, it is by no means perfect. In an ideal world, all students would be able to
be taught by an instructor face-to-face. The first article revealed that not all teachers are
completely in love with online education. The second article was very informative and provided
great advice for both current and future educators. The third article was useful, as it outlined the
current issues of online education, and pointed out some reforms that could be done to help both
teachers and students. All three articles provided good overviews for teachers (and students) to
keep in mind as they embark on or continue their online learning journeys.
Application

K-12 ONLINE LEARNING ARTICLE REVIEWS

As a human being, I never want to feel alone. I know that I am not alone, but I would
never want my colleagues to feel that way. That is why the first article stood out to me so much:
No teacher should live on her own island and just sail away from her colleagues at the end of the
day. Online educators should be no different. They should collaborate and put together their great
minds. Fostering collaboration among colleagues is not only beneficial for teachers, but it is
beneficial for their students, too. The first article informed me that teaching online can be lonely.
I would definitely prefer to teach students face-to-face, where I could see how my students are
doing (mentally, physically, and emotionally) by their facial expressions, because, as one teacher
pointed out, Teaching isnt just teaching a subject, but its teaching the students and helping
them through their stress of daily life and teaching them compassion (Hawkins, Barbour &
Graham, 2012, p. 137).
Both the second and third articles served as an additional reminder to keep up with
technology. Online learning, is, no doubt, progressing and becoming more prevalent in our world
today. It tends to be more cost-effective, too (Natale, 2011, p. 16). Despite any hesitation I may
have regarding teaching online, I must accept that I will most likely come across it in my
teaching career, and that is perfectly acceptable. I would just have to adapt. Now that I am more
aware of the issues regarding online learning, I can tailor my teaching strategies to make sure all
students needs (and my needs) are met. As an online educator, I would encourage myself and my
colleagues to undergo additional online training and work toward improving ourselves as
educators. I would strive to get to know my students as much as possible so as to make sure
neither I nor them feel isolated. I would involve myself in their required discussions, too, as I
feel that this would allow them to get to know me and I them. Involving myself in online class
discussions would also motivate them to be more involved.

K-12 ONLINE LEARNING ARTICLE REVIEWS

References
Hawkins, A., Barbour, M. K., & Graham, C. R. (2012, April 13). Everybody is their own
island: Teacher disconnection in a virtual school. The International Review of Research
in Open and Distributed Learning,13(2), 123-144. doi:10.19173/irrodl.v13i2.967
Natale, C. F. (2011). Teaching in the world of virtual K12 learning: Challenges to ensure
educator quality. Retrieved December 12, 2016, from
https://www.ets.org/s/educator_licensure/ets_online_teaching_policy_final_report.pdf
Rice, K. (2009). Priorities in K-12 Distance Education: A Delphi Study Examining Multiple
Perspectives on Policy, Practice, and Research. Educational Technology and
Society,12(3), 163-177. Retrieved December 12, 2016, from
http://www.ifets.info/journals/12_3/15.pdf