On-Line Education and Charter Schools, Essay Example

On-line education and charter schools have gained popularity over the last decades.  The first charter school law was established in the 1990s and through the years it has grown in a steady pace. In 2008, there were about 4,500 charter schools that are in operation in the United States of America alone and about 1.3 million students enrolled in these various schools.

These alternatives to traditional schooling have grown so much since its inception. It is a known fact that online schooling and charter schools can be attributed to the growing adoption and access of the information highway- Internet. Through this, born is a unique convergence of technologies and policies in education. As a result, new alternatives are being offered in the delivery of education. Possibilities are endless. As a matter of fact, online education is not limited to kindergarten and high school. Even colleges and universities are offering distance education that is being accessed by people nationwide if not worldwide. The first charter school law was established in the 1990s and through the years it has grown in a steady pace. In 2008, there were about 4,500 charter schools that are in operation in the United States of America alone and about 1.3 million students enrolled in these various schools (Bowen et.al, 2012).

However, it cannot be denied that the rising popularity of these alternatives comes with ever increasing controversies involving present and set policies established since time immemorial. In order to control controversies pertaining to students’ achievement and development, policies were set forth. The first policy has given the charter schools flexibility when it comes to the regulations adopted in the mainline publicly funded high and middle school. The second policy holds these charter schools accountable for the improvement of the achievement of the students. In return for the flexibility given, these schools can be closed by the state if proven ineffective in providing quality education to the students (Andrade, 2008).

Online education and chartered schools are effective for some people while it is considered ineffective by some. Typically, those who are enrolled in an online education are the working population who do not have the extra time to go to a campus to learn. It is a convenient way of learning while being able to hold a job. For working students, going to a campus can be hard after a day’s work or an overnight shift. But online education works because it allows flexibility in time. Students can work on their schooling on their own or when time permits. They can do assignments on during coffee break at work. They can access books and assignments anywhere they are for as long as they have a computer and an internet access. Conversely, is it geared towards fulfilling the educational needs of the younger students?

Education, whether traditional, chartered or online, is important because it prepares the future generation to contribute greatly in the society. An illiterate generation is the downfall of the society. Education is important because it helps the students not just the basic of reading and writing but expands into this wide spectrum of knowledge that is deeper than the basic math and alphabet. Education does not only cater to the intellectual aspect of human being. It extends into the emotional and physical aspect as well. The approach is holistic and to walk away from that principle and approach is detrimental to the well-being of a student. In this regard, it cannot be denied that part of the controversies surrounding online education and chartered schools involves social development of the students, adaptive policies and curriculum, various strategies in learning, and societal and workforce impact. One of the main questions that can be asked pertaining to this trend is whether or not online education and chartered schools are able to meet the needs of the students. Is the curriculum sufficient to attend holistically to the well-being of the students especially for kindergarten, middle and high school students?

Social Development

One of the downfalls of on-line learning and chartered schools is that it lacks in the aspect of social development. It is undeniable that on-line learning is a material-enhanced form of learning. Materials that are being provided are stimulating enough to encourage the students to learn and progress in their school work. However, the truth is that it is still socially lacking. Meaning to say, it lacks the interaction that are expected and present in that of a traditional learning system. But like in any other setting, some students thrive while other students flounder. A learning community provides various elements that are essential to the social development of the students. These elements are value organization, social collaboration and communal symbol structure. Although these elements are being observed in the traditional learning set-up in a face-to-face interaction, it is not in on-line learning. However, these elements are fostered in the on-line learning environment only differently. The on-line learning community is being fostered by the identity of people that are in the same boat. Being isolated together, they adhere and cohere with each other creating an “isolated community”. It was stated that such situation created a virtual community that is necessary and established by people who are together through seclusion or isolation (Klein, 2006).

This fostering and establishment of a virtual belongingness can be challenged. But the on-line community is not alone in this dilemma. Even the traditional learning system is experiencing troubles and facing hindrances in the creation of a positive learning community. Benefits of having the sense of community in both the traditional and on-line learning include communion, knowledge and social capital. Yet, Baker et.al (2010) disagreed. According to them, the risk of social isolation outweighs any benefits that a virtual community might have to offer.

It is being argued that on-line community will only encourage social isolation than social interaction. This is due to the fact that virtual community and learning environment do not foster real friendships and personal relationships. Hence, there is a failure to establish authentic social attachment that is necessary for personal, spiritual, emotional and intellect growth of a person. If the life outside the learning environment is observed, it can be seen that a lot of people spend a good part of their time on-line. People are engaged in twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. Their lives revolve around these social networking sites that they do not interact anymore on a face-to-face basis. Children and teens are always on their phone even during dinner time and such situation fosters isolation among the members of the family. On-line learning is argued to be on that same level. Although it is a new kind of social realm, it is still unorganized, lacking system and informal.

On a positive note, though, it can be said that on-line learning is giving students the chance to develop the sense of responsibility. Since the schedule is more flexible and the students can work at their own pace, everything is not being handed to them. They have to complete assignments and projects on their own. The students are encouraged to work and follow-through their assignments and education-related task that nurture efficiency and success. It is their responsibility to interact with the virtual communities for support in order to flourish and for the community to prosper. There is a need to remind the society that education should be for the purpose of empowering the people and not the machine. The goal is to make the students succeed in ways that are will work for them.

Adaptive Curriculum

Adaptive curriculum is probably one of the best ways in teaching sciences and math to the students. This is because of the utilization of multimedia tools and technologies to master the various concepts of math and science. The goal is to challenge the middle and high school students to investigate and postulate while providing pathways for easier learning and comprehension. This is in conjecture of the flexibility of the curriculum wherein the way lessons and course contents are presented is adapting to the responses of the students. It is undeniable that students respond academically in varying level. Some students learn faster than the others who might take some more time to grasp a certain concept or theory in both online and traditional learning. With the utilization of adaptive curriculum, lessons and instructions are being personalized to enhance the performance of the students. It helps in the identification of the weakness of the students, comprehend it and provide the necessary content and instruction that will help student learn. The teacher will then provide assessment and adjust the curriculum once again until the goals that pertain to the student’s performance are achieved. In addition, it is apparent that with the advancement and support that are being afforded to the adaptive curriculum, the problems and controversies involving teaching and learning can be diminished if not totally eradicated. Teachers will be able to ensure that content will be monitored and students will not have to face content and lessons that are too easy or too hard for them.

In this regard, students will be able to learn in a comfortable pace and reducing the number of drop-outs. Goals and outcomes set forth will be achieved faster and thus promoting efficiency and effectivity of the program. The focus is geared towards improving the following models: content (detailed learning systems and programs), learner (performance-based) and instructional (selection of contents specific to the needs of the students).

Brain-Based Learning

Educators are constantly working in finding ways that can improve the academic performance of the students. Brain-based learning coupled with the adaptive curriculum makes up for a good system of on-line learning and charter schools. Once educators fully understand how the brain works, training and teaching methods will be enhanced and the design will be appropriate for what the students need. Adaptive curriculum that uses multimedia tools for learning and teaching is important in the brain-based learning. It is proven that active learning enables the brain to function and perform better. Students should not just be passive receiver of information (Office of the Legislative Auditor, 2011). There needs to be an interaction between the information and the students. It means that information should be presented with visuals and colors among others to stimulate brain function. However, this type of learning strategy is not exclusive to on-line education. As a matter of fact, even traditional public schools are incorporating audio and visual aids to motivate the students to learn and increase performance.

Multiple Learning Strategies

The development and popularity of on-line learning and charter schools is based on the premise of different and multiple intelligences that each and every student can exhibit. It is a known fact that students have differing strengths when it comes to learning. Some are more linguistics than the others while there are students that are more mathematical. In order to support their educational needs, it is imperative that the right teaching method is applied. In the same manner that there are students who can perform better via home schooling while some are more productive in a traditional education setting. Alternatives to learning are essential to meet the growing needs of students. Every personality has a compatible approach to learning and this should be respected by the society.

Some of the multiple learning strategies that are being utilized both in the on-line and traditional systems of education are storytelling, brainstorming, tape-recording, journal writing, publishing and questionnaires. However, because of the different form of teaching these strategies differ in administration (Desmarais & Baker, 2012). In a traditional system of learning, brainstorming happens by grouping the students and gives them time to discuss the lesson or the content of the day. In an online setting, brainstorming is done by online forums, chat and other forms of discussion board.  Students will post their ideas, topic, opinion and assignments in a discussion board and other members of the virtual community will response to it by making their own posts (Anh, 2011). The difference, though, can be traced to the social aspect of learning. Since there is no face-to-face interaction, there are no emotional interactions involved.

Regardless of the type of strategies that are being used, it will always boil down to whether or not social interaction is supported (VanLehn, 2006).  Arguably, that is the only downfall of online learning. Though there is not much difference when it comes to techniques, methods, and goals between alternative and traditional learning, holistic approach is still necessary and that is where the alternatives to learning fail.

Societal and Workforce Impact

Students are important and the main focus of the on-line learning environment. However, the educators play an important role in making sure that the alternatives to learning succeed in implementation and administration. In this regard, it can said that it will impact the workforce in a positive way as there is a need for the development of new skills, abilities, and knowledge that will result to the proper delivery of materials necessary for learning. There is a need for educators to change their ways and focus more on a student-centered approach. Traditional learning has always been centered to the teachers. Nowadays, learning must to be student-focused as diversity and needs change and increase.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is apparent that alternatives to learning such as on-line learning and charter schools are effective in providing education to the students who prefer working at their own pace and at their own time. However, this entails a huge responsibility and dedication to accomplish. Parents and teachers must work hand-in-hand to ensure that students are participating and not falling behind. The main drawback of these alternatives is the lack of social interaction on a personal basis. Although there is a virtual community that acts as a classroom for home-schooled children, it is not enough to develop social skills. But when it comes to the training, methodologies and techniques that are being utilized, on-line learning does not fall behind the traditional system of learning. As a matter of fact, it can be said that the traditional learning is following suit in terms of its method of delivery. It is acknowledging the student-centered approach, brain-based learning and multiple learning strategies (U.S. Department of Education, 2013). With this, it can be expected that in the next 10 years or so, more and more students and parents will embrace on-line learning and other alternatives to learning not just because of its convenience but because it is almost the same as traditional system learning conducted outside of a classroom but in a virtual community.