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Elearning Trends in K-12 Education
10/09/2007
Author :
Graeme Daniel
"For elearning to work at the K - 12 level, the focus has to be on 'how does technology enhance the learning process'. Corporate/higher education elearning markets are driven by financial factors, strategic goals, knowledge management, compliance training, etc. K - 12 elearning is driven by increased learning and increased access to learning." - elearnspace: K-12 Overview
We have just about reached the point where all K-12 students are digital natives, bringing with them post-industrial mindsets and expectations essentially different from those that their teachers brought to their own schooling. They come to be prepared for coping with life in a world of complex adaptive systems where:
- social interactions are highly networked
- information is powerful
- economic and social activities are underpinned by pervasive Information and Communication Technologies
- knowledge is a dynamic flow to be tapped and creatively manipulated
- knowledge, work and learning converge
- knowledge-workers are valued
- the only certainty is change.
On the other hand, many teachers are reluctant to adopt the tools, resources and strategies most suited to meeting these challenges - an interesting recent article highlighting the problem is Dean Bennett's Researchers Question School in High-tech Age (Canadian Press: August 29, 2007).
In this edition of WWWTools for Education, we look at how schools are responding to the expectations of the modern age via educational practices which are collectively identified as elearning strategies.
The next edition of WWWTools for Education will present a collection of Elearning Resources for K-12 Education, including resources for what has become known as Elearning 2.0.
On the Nature of Elearning.
There are many Definitions of E-learning on the Web . Here are some further explanations:
electronic learning: Term covering a wide set of applications and processes, such as webbased learning, computer based learning, virtual classrooms, and digital collaboration. It includes the delivery of content via Internet, intranet/extranet (LAN/WAN), audio and videotapes, satellite broadcast, interactive TV, CD-ROM, and more.(Exploring E-Learning Reforms For Michigan: The New Education (R)evolution (Tom Watkins / Wayne State University: September 01, 2005)
What Is Elearning? (elearnspace) - an overview with enough links to supplementary resources to satisfy initial curiosity.
Observing the eLearning Phenomenon (Roberto Carneiro, Fabio Nascimbeni / eLearning Papers n° 4: March 2007) - a European perspective.
Online Essentials (Digital Bridges) - special reference to distance education.
As technology advances, Elearning is steadily morphing into Elearning 2.0 - as explained by Stephen Downes in eLearn Magazine.
Facts and Figures.
The Internet at School (Paul Hitlin, Lee Rainie / Pew Internet & American Life Project: August, 2005) indicates that at that time:
87% of all people, 12-17 years, were using the Internet.
78% of these used the Internet at school.
- representing a 45% increase since 2000.
K–12 Online Learning: A Survey of U.S. School District Administrators (Anthony G. Picciano, Jeff Seaman / The Sloan Consortium, Olin and Babson Colleges: 2007) - notable for its comparison of fully online and blended learning in K-12 schools; distinguishes three types of online courses:
- Web-Facilitated — up to 29% web-based delivery in a basically face-to-face course
- Blended/Hybrid — combines 30% to 79% online activity with face-to-face delivery.
- Online — at least 80% of seat time is replaced by online activity.
Findings are organized under: distance education for public school students; delivery technologies ; entities delivering such courses; reasons for implementation; future expansion.
This study also notes that a number of states including Florida and Michigan have established very progressive school reform policies with regard to K-12 online learning.
Findings include:
1. nearly two-thirds of the responding districts offer online courses.
2. over 60% of these anticipate growth in online enrollments.
3. about 700,000 K-12 students engaged in online courses in 2005-2006.
4. online learning is meeting specific student needs.
5. School districts depend on multiple online learning providers, as well as developing and providing inhouse courses.
6. online learning is especially important to small rural school districts.
7. concerns regarding the quality of online courses, funding, and teacher development issues are being resolved.
The Asia e-Learning Network provides trend surveys up to 2006, covering many Asian countries.
In Observing the e-Learning Phenomenon: The Case of School Education. Analysing the Transformative Innovation of e-Learning (eLearning Papers: May 25, 2007), Nikitas Kastis examines trends and developments in Europe, highlighting changing roles of teachers.
In Praise of Elearning.
e-Learning: Putting a World-Class Education at the Fingertips of All Children: The National Educational Technology Plan (Richard W. Riley, Frank S. Holleman III, Linda G. Roberts / U.S Department of Education, December 2000) - ideals for the new millennium. An historic visionary document.
Information and Communication Technologies in Elementary and Secondary Education: A State of the Art Review (Charles S. Ungerleider and Tracey C. Burns. Prepared for the Pan-Canadian Education Research Agenda Symposium 'Information Technology and Learning' April 30 – May 2, 2002) - a review of the literature.
E-Learning Essentials (World Wide Learn) summarises: Types of e-Learning, Learning Styles, Benefits of e-Learning, How to Evaluate E-Learning Courses. Also features a glossary.
Exploring E-Learning Reforms For Michigan: The New Education (R)evolution (Tom Watkins / Wayne State University: September 01, 2005) advocates extending elearning for a host of good reasons - see especially
- the Foreword – Imagining New Possibilities
- Section 9: The Expectation and Demand for Change
- Section 12. Advantages and Challenges to E-learning Integration.
The report makes detailed recommendations in terms of High School reform, leadership issues, professional preparation, legal considerations, changing thinking, assessment/online testing, advocacy, evaluation and accreditation, assessment of elearning resources, tuition costs, and economic perspectives.
It also includes a huge list of Helpful Websites. If we need to identify a key document, this is probably it.
Discovering and Enacting the “What’s Next” in K-12 Education (Gordon Freedman / Blackboard. Originally published by The eLearning Guild: December 04, 2006) - expands on how course management technologies can:
- facilitate immediate remediation
- be used to create evidence-based data for predicting success and adjusting learning strategies during a course.
Emphasises the value of Michigan’s high school graduation requirement mandating the taking of an online course or online experience.
Pedagogy.
"Catching the Knowledge Wave": Redefining Knowledge for the Post-Industrial Age (Jane Gilbert / Education Canada, Winter 2007) - how and why schooling needs to change to meet the requirements of 21st century learners in the Knowledge Society.
Annotated Bibliography by Topic: Online Teaching (Digital Bridges) - begins with an Overview of Online Teaching.
Leveraging Multimedia for eLearning, by Ruth Clark (Helge Scherlund's eLearning News Blog: August 28, 2007) - links to a white paper summarising evidence-based guidelines. Compares face-to-face classroom learning and eLearning, with particular reference to using visuals, first and second person language, relative lengths of lessons.
See also comment from Stephen Downes.
Craft and Science of ICT in Education (Dave Moursund, 2006) - compares traditional educational practices with ICT-based strategies.
Theories and Models of and for Online Learning (Caroline Haythornthwaite et al / First Monday: August 2007) - six theoretical perspectives on learning in ICT contexts
Pedagogical Templates for e-Learning (Magdalena Jara, Fitri Mohamad / WLE Centre, 2007) - a selective literature review, designed to explain how elearning works in the context of a course.
Trends.
Trends in the Integration of ICT and Learning in K-12 Systems (Penny Milton / Canadian Education Association) - with special reference to Canadian education; based on research reports, policy papers, selected seminars and surveys. A bibliography of reliable sources is appended.
Digital Learning Asia 2007 (Putrajaya, Malaysia: February 06-08, 2007) - conference outline indicates current topics and issues, See especially sections on
- Online courses and distance education: challenges of infrastructure, pedagogy and content
- e-Learning practices for K-12 education : scaling models and managing change
A Digital Decade (Technology Counts 2007 / Education Week: March 29, 2007) - this 10th annual report looks back over the past decade, and forward to exciting times ahead. Choose from diverse topics in the Table of Contents. Free registration.
The Partnership for 21st Century Skills lists skills which should be delivered by today's educators:
- Information and communication skills
- Thinking and problem-solving skills
- Interpersonal and self-direction skills
- Global awareness
- Financial, economic, and business skills
- Civic literacy.
- for details, see the Framework for 21st Century Learning
Digital Directions: The Road Ahead in Educational Technology (Education Week: June 28, 2007) - discussion with Jim Hirsch and Susan D. Patrick on how technology in schools and districts is changing, identifying what's new in educational technology, and how it can best be used to help students learn more.
Current Trends in Education - large collection of links to readings in the Technology in Teaching and Distance Learning sections.
Why e-Teaching is Knocking Down e-Learning in Nigeria (businessday: September 03, 2007) - distinguishes between elearning and a blended approach identified as e-teaching, with special reference to Nigerian challenges.
Elearning at Work.
Florida Leads Growth in Virtual Schooling (eSchool News: August 17, 2007) - Florida Virtual School is the oldest and largest K-12 virtual school.
IntraLearn/Microsoft Platform Powers K-12 E-Learning for Trillium Lakelands School District (IntraLearn Software Corporation)
El Paso Schools Adopt PLATO Learning Solutions (Business Wire: August 14, 2007)
Notschool.net is an Internet based ‘Virtual Online Community’ offering an alternative for young people who can no longer cope with traditional educational environments.
Blended Model in the Elementary Classroom (Lisa M. Abate / Techlearning: September 01, 2004) - an account based on personal experience.
Madison Middle School
Oregon K-12 Online and Distance Education - for students, parents, teachers, administrators.
THE Journal — eLearning/Web - ongoing news of current examples.
A Product of Learning: a Maine Middle School Provides Top-Of-The-Line Education for All Students - a short video.
Video Gallery (Edutopia) - choose from over 70 online documentaries showcasing imaginative innovation in schools.
Professional Development.
Introducing eLearning opportunities to School Teachers (k-12): 'Getting Your Class Online' case study
(Chris Smith / International Journal of The Computer, the Internet and Management Vol. 12 No.2, May-August, 2004)
ANGEL Learning Offers eLearning Webinars for K-12 and Higher Education (Earthtimes: August 24, 2007) - on using a course management system to:
- align standards and objectives to course curriculum
- provide virtual and hybrid classes
- supply professional development
- offer remediation and enrichment
- engage students beyond the classroom with wikis, blogs and 24/7 access to resources.
Trends in Professional Development for Online Courses (Susan Lowes / Institute for Learning Technologies/Teachers College, Columbia University: May 17, 2006 - a slide show covering virtual schools, virtual courses. Useful reading lists.
The Innovative Teachers Network is a global community of educators aiming to foster collaboration among teachers worldwide.
The MirandaNet Fellowship is a community of practice for international ICT policy makers, teachers, teacher educators, researchers and commercial developers who are interested in applying ICTs to teaching and learning.
Technology Use, Technology Views: Anticipating ICT Use for Beginning Physical and Health Education Teachers (Lori Lockyer, John Patterson - University of Wollongong / Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology, Volume 4, 2007) - reports on a research study.
Computers in Preservice and Inservice Teacher Education (David Moursund / University of Oregon, 2006)
Studies and Research.
Stay current with the International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning - a free, open source, peer-reviewed ejournal.
A Review of the Research Literature on the Use of Managed Learning Environments and Virtual Learning Environments in Education, and a Consideration of the Implications for Schools in the United Kingdom (Becta)
The Research Informed Practice Site (TRIPS) gives access to research findings.
Listening to Student Voices - On Technology: Tech-Savvy Students Stuck in Text-Dominated Schools (Kim Farris-Berg / Education|Evolving, 2005) - a summary of research on student attitudes, perceptions, behaviour with regard to using digital technology for learning.
Technology in Education (NCREL) - collected papers.
Reference.
Glossary (Digital Bridges)
E-Learning Glossary: Common Terms Used in Online Learning (World Wide Learn)
Universal Education: Glossary of Terms (Michigan Department of Education, 2006)
The Educator's Reference Desk - Resource Collection, Lesson Plans, Question Archive, cataloged using GEM metadata.
ICTs in Education (2006) - 'who's who' in the world of ICTs in Education: organisations and
projects.
BOOKS
Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms (Will Richardson / Corwin Press, 2006)
Hardcover: $50.55
ISBN-10: 1412927668
ISBN-13: 978-1412927666
Engaging the Online Learner: Activities and Resources for Creative Instruction (Rita-Marie Conrad, J. Ana Donaldson / Jossey-Bass, 2004)
Paperback: $27.00
ISBN-10: 0787966673
ISBN-13: 978-0787966676
e-Learning and the Science of Instruction: Proven Guidelines for Consumers and Designers of Multimedia Learning (Ruth Clark / Pfeiffer; 2 Har/Cdr edition, due September 28, 2007)
Hardcover: $55.00 - pre-order
ISBN-10: 0787986836
ISBN-13: 978-0787986834
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