Spotlight on Emerging Technology

Spotlight on Emerging Technology - Online Learning in K-12 Schools

We have known for a long time that not all students learn the same way. Some students learn by doing, some by reading, and some by watching. These multiple intelligences, as they have become known, created a rather large hurdle for educators to overcome in their attempts to reach and engage all learners. Until the recent onslaught and availability of technology in the classroom, there was little educators could do to reach all these different learning styles. The concept of differentiated instruction came into play in an attempt to reach all students. With differentiated instruction and technology educators are reaching more students than ever, however, there are still too many students falling through the cracks. There are still those students that do not work well with others, have anxiety about being in public, or do not do their best thinking from 7:30 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. For these students e-Learning can offer a wonderful, engaging, and fulfilling academic experience.

One way to reach some of the students that are “falling through the cracks” is with e-learning. There are many systems that are in place that that take care of the technocal aspect of managing and arranging an online learning environment. RCampus offers an online learning environment with free access that is easy to use Save time with our intuitive toolset to streamline your teaching and learning needs. We are our own users, so we've designed our system to be easy-to-use. You can quickly build courses and classes, websites, ePortfolios, rubrics, and much more. and highly secure. RCampus also has the capability of cTo protect the privacy of both faculty and students, we take extra measures to provide a highly secure environment and do not share, publish, or sell any personal or confidential data. ollaborative learning.Students and faculty can collaborate in a number of ways, through communication tools within their courses, websites, communities, and ePortfolios, to collaboration on building and sharing content. “At RCampus, you can do all your school-related work from building personal and group websites to managing your courses, eportfolios, academic communities, and much more,” (RCampus Website).

This type of learning can appeal to many different students. Students who are agoraphobic can find a learning environment where they feel safe. Students who are not morning people and who do some of their best thinking in the evenings can work any time of day they chose. Students with other responsibilities such as jobs, or caring for younger siblings or ailing parents can continue their education on their own schedules. These students, in the past, had to give up their education altogether. These are just a few examples of the implications of this type of learning.

Many people think that online learning means a fake education. I am here to tell you that it is not. If I would have had some options in education when I was in school, perhaps I would have gotten A’s and B’s rather than D’s and E’s. Perhaps I wouldn’t have flunked the eighth grade. It is because of my history in education that made me decide to become an educator; to help those students that remind me of myself when I was in school. I am currently taking a Master’s online and this is not a fake education either. I have been pushed academically more so then when I was in the traditional classroom setting and I am a better person and professional because of it.

I have recently accepted an online teaching position for the Global Academy, an online high school for some of the students with issues I have mentioned in this essay. Some of the comments I have received from my students and parents are amazing. Many students are engaged, interested and successful academically for the first time in their lives. Personally, I wish I had an online learning option when I was in school. Perhaps I could have avoided the shame and embarrassment of being a failure at school.