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E-Portfolio 4
Anne Corbitt
Regent University

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Abstract:
Online learning for the kindergarten thru twelfth grade levels has become an extremely popular
source of learning throughout the years. There are an assortment of ways and programs that are
offered to students taking online classes in this age range. There are solely online classes and
hybrid classes which include in classroom time and online learning, there are even dual
enrollment where students can attend a regular public high school, private, or homeschool setting
and take college courses online. While searching through many scholarly sources, I found three
articles that stuck out to me the most. These articles describe what online learning is all about,
the pros and cons, and how well students react to this type of learning style

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E-Portfolio 4
Virginia Beach Public schools offers an online website that provides educational services
for elementary, middle, and high school students. Each website ranges from special education,
English as a second language, to online programs that are offered to students in school or
homeschooled. It is safe to say, the majority of states and cities offer a website with this kind of
information for parents, teachers, and students. This is a valuable resource of information that
can make finding an online program for each individual student. This is vital information for
parents and students who are considering online or online and public school learning. Online
learning has its benefits, but it also has its draw backs. Online learning is convenient for busy
parents and students and it gives students the opportunity to work at their own pace without
judgement, holding back the class, or being behind due to their pace. Unfortunately, students do
not receive the one on one teacher interaction like a classroom setting nor do they experience
classmate discussion and interaction.
Dan Lips, Senior Analysts in Domestic Policy studies, wrote an interesting article in
regards to students who participate in online learning. In this article, he discusses the success
online learning has brought to those students and the potential growth online learning has.
Emerging evidence suggests that online learning programs are effective. A metaanalysis of
empirical studies published by the U.S. Department of Education found that students who took
all or part of their class online performed better than those taking the same course through
traditional face-to-face instruction. (Lips, 2010)
As of 2010, there is an approximate of one million children who participate in online or
some form of an online setting of learning. (Lips, 2010) Dan Lips is a huge activist for online
learning and believer that students should participate in taking at least one online class in their

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lifetime. In his article, Lipps provided information that further explained online learning and the
benefits it can bring to students. He explained the flexibility that comes with online learning and
the convince that it can bring not only to students, but to the parents as well.
On the other side of the spectrum, Anya Kamenetz wrote an article in regards to her
concern of the quality of online learning. Anya is a virtual teacher who lives in Maine, but her
students live all over the state of Florida as she is a teacher for Florida Virtual School. She
believes that online classes are not as beneficial as they are made out to be, but a hybrid of both
online and in class seems to be the best choice. Most full-time online students are enrolled at
schools run by two for-profit companies: K12 and Connections Academy. (Kamentz, 2015) Out
of these full time-schools, approximately two-thirds are rated academically unacceptable as
well as the graduation rates are less than half of the average of all public schools. (Kamentz,
2010) The statistics may have something to do with the area, but the online learning seems as if it
is not working out for the Florida area.
Lastly, I read an article that was a basic overview of online education. One technology
trend that has come under increasing scrutiny involves full-time online schools, particularly
cyber charters. About 200,000 students are enrolled in about 200 publicly funded, independently
managed online charter schools across 26 states. (Harold, 2016) With online learning, you can
make it personal to the students needs and struggles. Each student has their strengths and
weakness; it is impossible for one teacher to character to every single students needs. This
allows for a 24-7 learning time also.
Online learning has come a long way in the past several years. It is a great convince for
students and can make their life a little easier. As a teacher, I will use online learning to have my
students complete assignments at home. This will not only give me more classroom time with

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them, but it will also prepare them for future classes they may take online in college or high
school. Online learning has come a long way and is only advancing more over the years.

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References:
Herold, B. (2016, February 05). Technology in Education: An Overview. Retrieved December
09, 2016, from http://www.edweek.org/ew/issues/technology-in-education/
Kamenetz, A. (2015, February 2). Virtual Schools Bring Real Concerns About Quality.
Retrieved December 09, 2016, from
http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2015/02/02/382167062/virtual-schools-bring-realconcerns-about-quality
Lipps, D. (n.d.). How Online Learning Is Revolutionizing K-12 Education and Benefiting
Students. Retrieved December 09, 2016, from
http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2010/01/how-online-learning-isrevolutionizing-k12-education-and-benefiting-students
Programs. (n.d.). Retrieved December 09, 2016, from http://www.vbschools.com/curriculum/