Making the Case for Online Learning

"Online learning fosters independent study and creativity. It engages students and addresses the needs of different learning styles."
– Margie Nussbaum, General Studies Principal, Merkaz Bnos High School, Brooklyn, NY

Schools should consider the benefits of online learning such as greater accessibility, the potential for individualized learning, improving the quality of instruction and enhancing students' learning. Online learning can also be cost effective, for example in providing courses to small numbers of students where it is not otherwise economically feasible because of their limited number.

Here are links to articles and videos to help make the case for online learning to your board, your parents and your community.

http://www.ed.gov/technology/netp-2010
The U.S. Department of Education's 2010 National Education Technology Plan discusses the potential of online learning for enhancing education in the United States. The Plan explains that online learning can enable students to gain access to educational resources regardless of time of day, geography, or ability.
http://www.nais.org/programmatic/article.cfm?ItemNumber=153859
This article provides critical questions for school leaders regarding online learning and leadership, teaching and learning, human relationships and ethics, professional development, evaluation and assessment, and infrastructure.
Edutopia (http://www.edutopia.org)
A nonprofit educational website offering online tools and resources for educators & education leaders, largely but not exclusively pertaining to new and emergent media

Video

Why Online Learning Is a Smart Solution (http://www.edutopia.org/stw-online-learning-making-the-case-video)
The president and CEO of the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) explains why the time for virtual education is now. August 2010

Chris Dede on Scaling Success (http://www.edutopia.org/chris-dede-replication-scalability-video)
Chris Dede, Professor of Learning Technologies at Harvard's Graduate School of Education, describes the challenges of replicating successful educational programs. February 2010
Virtual School Now a Reality (http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local-beat/Virtual_School_Now_a_Reality_Bay_Area.html)
A short video from NBC Bay Area News, September 2010
Online Charter Schools Proving Popular (http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2009/November/Online-Charter-Schools-Proving-Popular-/)
A news article from the Christian Broadcasting Network, November 2009
Cybercharters Come Online in New Jersey (http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/11/0131/2336/)
A news article from NJ Spotlight, February 2011