Just a few links and thoughts about online learning from articles that were in ASCD SmartBrief this week.<\/p>\n
The first, from the Des Moines Register,<\/a> discussed Iowa’s plans for going to a four-day school week.\u00a0 The school day would be extended for those four days.\u00a0 The impetus is mainly budgeting.\u00a0 Rural school divisions with traditionally long bus routes have been pummeled by rising transportation costs.\u00a0 According to the article, the school districts that have gone to four day weeks have found positive effects on attendance for both teachers and students.\u00a0 But there was no influence either positive or negative on student achievement.\u00a0 As I read the article, I wondered if any of them had considered incorporating online learning.\u00a0 It seems like they are only thinking about face to face learning time as being “school” hours.<\/p>\n In Arkansas, they have thought about the potential for online learning as a solution to long bus rides.\u00a0 They have combined the two!\u00a0 According to an article from the Arkansas News Bureau<\/a>, one school division’s answer has been to give students laptops and iPods and have them take online math and science courses as they ride to and from school.\u00a0 That isn’t quite what I had in mind, I guess, but it is an interesting solution, isn’t it?<\/p>\n Finally, from the Miami Herald<\/a>, coverage of Florida’s virtual school mandate. \u00a0 All school districts have to have virtual school options available.\u00a0 They can create their own or find a provider.\u00a0 The article does a good job of covering the issues of the legislation, mostly concerned with logistics and the vagueness of the law.\u00a0 But it points to the possibilities of online learning as well.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Just a few links and thoughts about online learning from articles that were in ASCD SmartBrief this week. The first, from the Des Moines Register, discussed Iowa’s plans for going to a four-day school week.\u00a0 The school day would be extended for those four days.\u00a0 The impetus is mainly budgeting.\u00a0 Rural school divisions with traditionally … Continue reading The Growth of Online Learning<\/span>