In The News.
by Leanna Landsmann
Q: My daughter Shareez's high school is cutting AP classes to save money. I worry that she won’t have much AP choice next fall, so I'm exploring online options. The guidance counselor isn't so hot on the idea. She says students must be very disciplined to do well. How can I prepare my daughter to be a good online student and find the best course providers?
A: While tough economic times have put many valuable programs on the chopping block, virtual learning can be a money saving solution for AP offerings.
Many schools embrace virtual learning for the potential it offers all students. For example, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Louisiana Virtual High School proved essential. Among eighth-graders enrolled in Algebra I online, 98 percent of students scored at the basic level or above on state tests.
"Virtual learning can provide your daughter with age- and ability-appropriate curriculum and extensive resources," says Mary Ann Wolf, executive director of the State Educational Technology Directors Association.
While her guidance counselor is right that virtual learning demands self-discipline, "this is far from a disadvantage for your daughter. Self-directed, self-paced learning can pay off in a big way as she goes on to college," Wolf says.
When choosing an online course, keep in mind your daughter's individual learning style. "Virtual learning is not one size fits all," Wolf says. "There are several types. Your daughter could take one or more classes online with a virtual teacher. She could take classes online with a virtual-teacher for three days and supplement it with face-to-face instruction for two days. Look at all the options."
To find virtual learning opportunities, ask your school what courses are available through your state Department of Education. "Forty-four states have virtual-learning programs. Florida, for example, offers full-time virtual school for kindergarten through eighth grade. Michigan requires a virtual-learning experience for high school graduation. In Alabama, ACCESS Distance Learning provides students in grades 9 through 12 with free, school-based programs to supplement their education."
When evaluating online AP courses, make sure the provider has qualified through the AP Course Audit to ensure Shareez receives AP credit. Ask about the performance data of virtual students who have taken the AP exam and check the credentials of the online teachers. "How involved are they? Good online AP course providers provide data on their AP exam pass rates and have certified AP teachers," Wolf says.
How can you prepare Shareez to be an effective online learner? Encourage her to develop good time-management and independent-learning skills. Make sure she can work comfortably with computers and the Internet. "She must set aside a regular time every day to log in, and she needs a computer and Internet access adequate to meet the bandwidth requirements of the course," Wolf says. "She'll need to know how to contact the online teacher with technical or content questions."
Perhaps most Important, Wolf says, is her interest level in the course content. Is Shareez excited enough about the subject to make the effort to learn in a new way? If yes, she'll gain more than AP credit. "The skills she needs to be a successful online AP student –time management, motivation to learn independently and the ability to communicate and collaborate online – are important skills for success in college and life," Wolf says.
For more background, read the 2008 report "Learning Virtually: Expanding Opportunities" from the State Educational Technology Directors Association at setda.org.
Posted May 05, 2009