What is the Online Learning Movement? 

What did I learn?

    After reading the various articles, the online learning movement is the shift toward digital platforms and practices that enable learners to access educational content and instruction through the internet.  According to the Digital Learning Collaborative (2019), online learning "encompasses a wide range of educational activities, tools, and resources that are delivered via the Internet."  In addition to online learning is blended learning which incorporates both online and site-based, face-to-face education.  

    

    Online and blended learning have both benefits and drawbacks. The Vibe Team (2021) lists 6 benefits to online learning for students: instant access to resources, decrease in social anxiety, flexibility in learning schedules, self-paced learning, accessibility for everyone, and keeps others healthy and safe from illnesses.  Online learning provides the benefit of learning at "anytime, any place" (Archambault, Kennedy).  In addition, technology allows the curriculum to be tailored to the learners' needs and abilities.  Another benefit is that learners can learn at their own pace and their learning can be individualized and personalized to their needs.  Check out the video below with student perspectives of online learning.  

    Online and blended learning also have benefits for parents/guardians and teachers.  These benefits include: reducing the overall cost of education, parents/guardians knowing their students' classmates and what they're learning, allows for flexibility in various work schedules, and eliminates the work commute.  Since online learning enables students to learn from the comfort of their home, they reduce costs of attending in-person classes.  This reduction in cost could be because of no longer needed to buy school supplies needed for in-person classes or paying for college courses that are in-person.  In addition, parents and families like the flexibility with online and blended learning, especially if their work schedules are atypical.  Finally, parents/families and teachers enjoy the complete removal of a commute to work or school.  

    Though online and blended learning have their benefits, there are also drawbacks to this shift in learning.  One of the most important drawbacks is the accuracy of data collection.  Since students are learning from home, they may be getting help from adults in their home or even the internet.  As a result, the data is inaccurate and not valid.  This was something I experienced as a teacher during distance learning a few years back.  District test results showed inaccurate data due to students being home with their adults.  Students whose reading levels were below grade level at the end of the prior year skyrocketed over summer break and resulted in their reading levels being on or even above grade level.  In addition, other drawbacks include: a lack of practical and hands-on experience and a hinderance of students' communication skills developing (The Vibe Team 2021).  Online and blended learning also requires a certain type of student--one who is self-regulated and has self-motivation to complete online activities (Archambault, Kennedy).  Finally, another major drawback is accessibility.  Though resources and curriculum can be accessible online, if students and families don't have access to the technology, they aren't able to access those resources and online learning at all.  

Why is it important?

    Online and blended learning are important because it allows the combination of both online and in-person learning to occur.  Teachers are able to utilize both online and blended learning even in an in-person classroom setting.  The benefits of online and blended learning can be applied to in-person learning.  For example, teachers can personalize student learning to best support their learning styles and needs.  In addition, teachers can offer parents/families access to their students learning through various educational platforms such as Schoology, where parents can view what their students are working on and assessments they may have taken.  It's also important because students are able to develop digital and technological skills with devices they're using in classrooms.  If there ever was a time to be fully remote again (and let's hope we don't ever have to do it again), teachers are now equipped with knowledge and resources to do so.  Online and blended learning are important because they adapt to the needs of a diverse and increasingly digital world.  By making education more accessible, flexible, and personalized, these models prepare students for the evolving demands of the modern digital world.  

How can I use this information? 

    The information I learned is useful in today's world because I can use what I've learned about the benefits of online and blended learning and provide those benefits to my students and teach/coach teachers to provide those benefits to their own students.  For example, I can provide students with personalized learning that best suits their needs and abilities.  I can also teach and coach teachers to do the same for their students.  As the SBTS, I can teach and coach students and teachers about various digital platforms and computer science tools to support students learning.  I can provide teachers and students with online and blended learning experience in an in-person setting.  Information learned about online and blended learning is beneficial and applicable to my teachings today.  

Online Learning Local Programs

     After doing some research, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) have an Online Campus that offers online courses for students to attend and receive high school credit.  Aside from this, I wasn't able to find a virtual or distance learning option that's fully remote in replacement of an in-person classroom setting.  Though I wasn't able to find much on FCPS' virtual or distance learning options, I do know that Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) has a Virtual Distance Learning program for secondary students.  This program is fully virtual and replaces the traditional learning in an in-person setting.  This program is still available this school year.  

Mind Map Popplet

View my Mind Map Popplet of what I've learned so far here.