January 2007 — News
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Should States Mandate Online Learning?
In fact, universities have developed tools for students to determine whether they are ready to learn online. For example, SORT, the Student Online Readiness Tool of the University System of Georgia (http://www.alt.usg.edu/sort/), addresses areas that research has found relate to student success in the online environment. Students taking online courses need regular computer and Internet access; basic technology skills; good study skills and habits, including a willingness to communicate regularly with instructors and classmates; high motivation to succeed; good writing skills; and strong time management skills. I have found that students must also be willing to spend more time to complete requirements of online courses, as they are not easier than face to face courses.
Michigan Merit Guidelines (2006) also call for schools to make assistive technology devices and software available to students to help meet the requirement. Although MVHS is working to ensure courses comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, I suspect that eventually the state will need to develop guidelines to exempt some high school students from the requirement, particularly those with certain physical and/or learning disabilities. I would urge research on the impact of the law on student learning.
I’m going out on a limb in my commentary and wonder what other educators think. I believe technology and Internet resources should be integrated into the learning experience. I agree with Dr. Meyer (2003) that we are still looking for answers to questions that ensure that the Web is used effectively for student learning. If, as she indicated, higher education is still looking for "the optimal match possible between student, learning and technology," how can we mandate online courses/experiences as part of high school graduation requirements?
References:
- Meyer, K. (2003, May). "The Web’s impact on student learning" [online]. T.H.E. Journal. Retrieved January 7, 2007, from http://thejournal.com/articles/16350.
- Michigan Merit Curriculum Guidelines (2006). Retrieved January 7, 2007, from http://www.techplan.org/Online%20Experience%20Guidelines%202006.pdf.
- U.S. Department of Education (2004). National Education Technology Plan: Toward a New Golden Age in American Education: How the Internet, the Law and Today's Students are Revolutionizing Expectation. Retrieved January 8, 2007, from http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/plan/2004/site/edlite-default.html.
- Watson, J., & Ryan, J. (2006, October). Keeping pace with K-12 online learning: A review of state level policy and practice. Retrieved December 14, 2006, from North American Council of Online Learning, http://www.nacol.org/.
About the author: Patricia Deubel has a Ph.D. in computing technology in education, and is currently an adjunct faculty member in the graduate School of Education at Capella University. She is also the developer of Computing Technology for Math Excellence at http://www.ct4me.net.
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