There is a modest growth in distance learning. Therefore, there are implications that should be looked upon and changed. One of the established problems with online learning is that policymakers often apply the same policies and funding on online learning than that of traditional schools. There often misconceptions that online learning does not provide the same quality as traditional schools. However, research shows that the effectiveness of distance learning has to more with who is teaching it, who is learning, and how that learning is accomplished and less to d with the medium. There are two types of virtual schools those that are site based (partly traditional) and virtual charters/schools that are not site based.
Site Based Distance learning
The NCLB requires states to offer schooling options to students attending schools that fail to obtain their adequate yearly progress. Virtual schools would be a great solution for this. Instead of hiring new teachers, schools can offer online courses, and allow highly qualified teachers to instruct in locations where teaching shortages are a problem. These programs will also broaden subject areas and provide students with variety courses. For small schools, this will give students a rich and diverse curriculum. For administrators site based learning will give them the option to have a more controlled environment and give allow them to provide students with enriching resources. For teachers this will be good to have better communication with students who are not comfortable with face to face interaction. This will benefit parents to have more control of their child’s learning. And this will be good for students by giving them flexibility, reviewing access, and going on their own pace.
Virtual Schools
Two forms of virtual charters – home school and cyber charters.
Implications for Instructional Design
Student/learning population
· Virtual school and learning potential attracts a specific audience. Those who live in rural areas, those who have social commitment issues, those who travel, those who are incarcerated, those who require flexible hours of employment, etc. Yet, there are personal and psychological characteristics that determine your rate of success in virtual schools – autonomy, metacognition, self regulatory, positive self efficacy, motivation, and internal locus. Age is also an extremely important factor, because younger student need more guidance and control.
Research-Based Approaches
· Virtual schools are not going to succeed without research. Instructional designers must stay on top of the current research and be able to defend who should and should not be enrolled in virtual program. The research should also suggest how to build their design on the capabilities of a specific targeted audience. There is not enough research on virtual and distance learning designs, however there is research comparing traditional schools to virtual schools. Therefore, we should focus research on the factors that ensure successful teaching and learning.
Lack of Trained Professionals
· There is strong need for instructional designers, specifically trained in distance education technologies and design, who are proficient in the challenges that virtual school serve. The education and training should be different because traditional school teachers and virtual school teachers have different jobs. Initially, the design of the online courses should be readily available to be taught by different instructors. But, the instructor is responsible for providing a suitable learning environment.
Organizational Change
· If schools are committed to deliver education virtually, there should be a restructuring how they do business, and collaboratively hire instructional designers to work hand in hand with teachers, faculty, and the district.
Conclusion
· Society loves simple answer for complex problems. Successful e-learning programs will not be achieved easily. “We just need to choose to view as the question rather than the answer. In short, the internet and e-learning make wonderful things possible if we decide, as educators and trainers, to exploit those possibilities intelligently and systematically.” If there is commitment to virtual learning we must think out of the box. Hard work and a unified based knowledge will lead to good instructional designs.
Coleman, C, Huett, L, Foshay, W, & Moller, L. (2008). The evolution of distance education: implications for instructional design on the potential of the web. TechTrends, 52(5)
