by Bruce Friend
It is estimated that over one million K-12 students are currently enrolled in online courses across the country. The number of online courses and providers that students have the option to choose from continues to grow at a steady rate each year.
With all of the benefits that online learning provides to students and their families, many parents find themselves unsure of where to turn or even what questions to ask when sorting through the various online learning options that exist. This can be particularly true for home school families who are seeking online course options but may find themselves unable to enroll in local or state publicly funded online schools depending on policies that exist in their area.
In an effort to assist parents with finding the right online program for their student, here is a list of questions that parents may want to use as a guide.
1. Is the online program accredited, and if so, by which organization?
2. What are the credentials of the teachers who teach the online courses?
3. How much interaction will the teachers have with students? Is the online learning experience teacher-led or more of a computer aided instruction model?
4. What are the costs involved? Are there costs beyond the tuition such as materials fees?
5. Can your son/daughter accelerate through the course if s/he is capable? Can students start the course at any point in the year?
6. How are assessments handled in the course? Is it all online? Will you be required to go to a physical facility to have your child participate in assessments?
7. Does the online program require that the student be online at certain times of the week?
8. Once enrolled, can a student withdraw from the course and if, so, what are the academic and financial consequences?
9. Upon completion of the course, what will you receive to show that a grade was earned and will they also send the grade to the local school district?
10. How long has the organization been operating and can they give you list of the schools, districts, states that use their program?
These are just a few of the many items to consider when selecting an online learning program or even before enrolling in a single online course.
Bruce Friend is a pioneer in K12 online learning. As a founding member, teacher, and chief administrator of Florida Virtual School, Bruce has considerable experience in providing online learning opportunities to home school students. In 2003, Bruce was honored with the award of “Most Outstanding Achievement by and Individual” by the U.S. Distance Learning Association. In recent years he has provided consultation to online programs and families throughout the United States.
He is currently the Director of SAS Curriculum Pathways ( www.sascurriculumpathways.com ).
bfriend@nc.rr.com
It is estimated that over one million K-12 students are currently enrolled in online courses across the country. The number of online courses and providers that students have the option to choose from continues to grow at a steady rate each year.
With all of the benefits that online learning provides to students and their families, many parents find themselves unsure of where to turn or even what questions to ask when sorting through the various online learning options that exist. This can be particularly true for home school families who are seeking online course options but may find themselves unable to enroll in local or state publicly funded online schools depending on policies that exist in their area.
In an effort to assist parents with finding the right online program for their student, here is a list of questions that parents may want to use as a guide.
1. Is the online program accredited, and if so, by which organization?
2. What are the credentials of the teachers who teach the online courses?
3. How much interaction will the teachers have with students? Is the online learning experience teacher-led or more of a computer aided instruction model?
4. What are the costs involved? Are there costs beyond the tuition such as materials fees?
5. Can your son/daughter accelerate through the course if s/he is capable? Can students start the course at any point in the year?
6. How are assessments handled in the course? Is it all online? Will you be required to go to a physical facility to have your child participate in assessments?
7. Does the online program require that the student be online at certain times of the week?
8. Once enrolled, can a student withdraw from the course and if, so, what are the academic and financial consequences?
9. Upon completion of the course, what will you receive to show that a grade was earned and will they also send the grade to the local school district?
10. How long has the organization been operating and can they give you list of the schools, districts, states that use their program?
These are just a few of the many items to consider when selecting an online learning program or even before enrolling in a single online course.
Bruce Friend is a pioneer in K12 online learning. As a founding member, teacher, and chief administrator of Florida Virtual School, Bruce has considerable experience in providing online learning opportunities to home school students. In 2003, Bruce was honored with the award of “Most Outstanding Achievement by and Individual” by the U.S. Distance Learning Association. In recent years he has provided consultation to online programs and families throughout the United States.
He is currently the Director of SAS Curriculum Pathways ( www.sascurriculumpathways.com ).
bfriend@nc.rr.com
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