Issues in Online Schooling By: Kendra Kennedy. Outline ◦A Brief Introduction to Distance Schooling ◦Online Schooling for Primary and Secondary Schooling.

Issues in Online SchoolingBy: Kendra Kennedy

Outline◦ A Brief Introduction to Distance Schooling

◦ Online Schooling for Primary and Secondary Schooling

◦ Online Schooling for Higher Education

◦ Online Schooling and the Digital Divide

◦ Online Schooling and Academic Honesty

◦ Combatting the Cons

Distance SchoolingoThe first recorded distance course was done by mail in the 1840s.

oAfter the invention of the radio and much later television, schools began offering more distance courses.

oBy the late 1930’s many school systems broadcast educational programs for students off campus.

oBy the 1950’s most “Radio Courses” had ceased.

oIn 1996 the first fully online accredited university was launched.

Shortwave Craft, April 1935 edition.

Online Schooling for Primary and Secondary EducationoPros:oStudents get to learn at their own pace.oStudents can learn from the comfort of their own homes.oStudents can have more say in what they learn.

oCons:oStudents have limited social contact with peers.oStudents with low self-initiative get worse scores.oStudents have more opportunity to cheat.oThe quality of their courses is not always guaranteed.

Online Schooling for Higher EducationoPros:oStudents can access their courses from anywhere with internet access.o It is more convenient for nontraditional students.

oCons:oNot all online “universities” are accredited.oThe quality of online courses is not always guaranteed.o It is more difficult for professors to prepare for.oStudents have more opportunity to cheat.

Online Schooling and the Digital DivideoHow online schooling may increase the Digital Divide:oStudents with no Internet connection will be left behind.oStudents with bad Internet connection will be left behind.

oHow online schooling could help close the Digital Divide:oPoor school districts can get grants to help offer online classes for students.oStudents with access to internet can learn about new technologies and introduce them to

their local communities.

Online Schooling and Academic HonestyoIn a recent survey 33% of college students admitted to cheating in at least one of their online classes.

oSome ways people cheat on online classes:oUsing banned materials (e.g. Using a textbook, notes, or google on a closed book, note, etc.

test)oHaving a friend take the class for you.oPaying someone to do your assignments for you.

Combatting the ConsoThe Cons of Online Primary and Secondary Education:oTo fight the issue of limited social contact with peers many online institutions offer online

forums, live conferencing, and even schedule meet-ups for students in the same areas. Online institutions also try to encourage parents to get their children involved in community activities.

oTo combat low self initiative, some institutions will have instructors call the student’s house to do regular check-ups on students.

o To prove the quality of their classes most online institutions now set up a review page so that parents and students can rank their satisfaction with the courses.

Combatting the Cons ContinuedoThe Cons of Online Higher Education:

o To prove their accreditation, many online institutions will direct you to the U.S. Department

of Education. However, most research still has to be done by the student.

oMany online institutions for higher learning will have places for students to review and rank

their courses.

Combatting the Cons ContinuedoAcademic Honesty:oWebcams: webcams can be used for proctoring students during tests and Identifying them as

the registered student.oKeystroke recognition programs: these programs compare student’s normal keystroke

patterns and compares them to those of the person taking the test, doing the homework, etc. and alerts the instructor of major discrepencies.

oLockdown browsers: these prevent the student from visiting any other sites while they are taking a test or quiz.

Conclusion

Take control of your own education.

Questions?

References http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distance_education

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2014/01/15-technologies-that-were-supposed-to-change-education-forever/

http://www.onlineschoolscenter.com/cheating-online/

http://ww2.k12.com/mod/home/

http://www.onlineschoolscenter.com/cheating-online/

http://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/articles/2013/10/16/how-to-tell-if-an-online-program-is-accredited