Overview
The emergence of educational technology, which has been embraced by our state leaders and the public education system, has fostered the evolution from traditional correspondence courses to contemporary forms of distance learning study delivered via the Internet and Interactive Videoconferencing. Online learning is the fastest growing type of distance learning in the country and in Texas. In today’s distance learning courses, most often offered via the Internet, technology enables robust interaction.  It is the power of this interaction between students and between a student and teacher, which makes online learning so effective.

Benefits of Online Learning
According to the NACOL report, A National Primer on K-12 Online Learning, the number one reason school districts cite for offering Internet-based courses is that the courses are otherwise unavailable. Many schools in rural or poorer urban districts find it difficult to recruit and retain highly qualified teachers especially in the areas of advanced mathematics, science and language courses. Online courses can meet specific needs, such as gifted students seeking opportunities for Advance Placement or accelerated learning at their own pace, or homebound students need access to more curriculum choices. Many Texas districts and schools in other states are realizing the potential it brings to providing students with unparalleled equity and access to high quality education.

Some of the benefits offered by online learning include:

• expanded curriculum options available to students, including courses required for the Recommended High School and the Distinguished Achievement Graduation Plans
• advanced Placement
• accelerated study
• expanded access to qualified teachers
• alternative educational opportunities for diverse students, including gifted or accelerated students, at-risk students, migrant students, dropouts, pregnant students, incarcerated youth, elite athletes and performers, and students who may not be able to attend regular school because of injury, illness, or involvement with other activities
• alternative learning methods and opportunities for students whose needs are not being met through traditional instruction in a traditional classroom setting
schedule flexibility for students with schedule conflicts or who may be working during the regular school day
• schedule flexibility for students with schedule conflicts or who may be working during the regular school day
• flexible pace for students who need to work at a faster or slower pace
• electives for which qualified teachers are not available locally
• opportunities for students to prepare for today’s technology-rich real world experiences in the workplace and post-secondary education
• educational experiences to address the needs of today’s technology-savvy students
• provide professional development for teachers and other educators

In summary, online courses can meet multiple and various needs of diverse student populations and serve as an important strategy to address education needs in the state.

Lesson Learned
In addition, other lessons learned about online courses

• students underestimate the rigor of an online courses and the work required
• students and parents need information about realistic expectations of time and effort required
• online courses are currently not readily available to all students
• requests for online courses continue to increase
• online courses may not be for all students
• schools underestimate planning needed to establish online programs
• schools need time to plan and implement virtual programs
• online teachers need specialized training in order to teach effectively in an online environment
• teaching online courses is not for all teachers
• online courses have unique monitoring requirements for quality and accountability

In order for Texas to realize the benefits that distance learning, including online learning, offers students and educators, an appropriate level of dedicated state funding is critical.

“For far too long, access to a high quality education has been too closely tied to the student’s zip code. Online learning allows equitable access to educational opportunities to students across the entire state.”
Susan Patrick,
North American Council for Online Learning

Growth of Online Learning
According to the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) “…more and more middle and high school students across the country are enrolled in online courses. This increase illustrates the success many students are experiencing. Reports indicate that most online learning courses are at least as successful as their face-to-face counterparts, and many have a higher completion rate.” The efficacy of the online classroom is validated through reports such as the Florida Tax Watch report Final Report: A Comprehensive Report of Florida Virtual School (http://www.floridataxwatch.org/resources/pdf/110507FinalReportFLVS.pdf.) In a period of rising costs and teacher shortages in critical subject areas, online learning is considered one strategy for meeting districts’ needs. This growth, however, brings with it a need to ensure that policies for online learning develop in a way that will ensure quality.

Through continued implementation and expansion of its Electronic Course Pilot (eCP) program and through the current implementation of the Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN), the Agency is developing and carrying out a coordinated, statewide approach to online learning.

For information on the Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN)
http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/technology/txvsn/index.html

For information on the Electronic Course Pilot (eCP)
http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/technology/ecp/

Video - It Happens Online
http://www.srebonlineteachers.org/onlineVideo.html

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