By: Marcella Pugliese

allows for learning to happen anytime, anyplace

promotes collaboration and creativity among students

broadens students’ audience to a larger group that does not just include teacher and classmates

prepares students for the future

provides one-on-one teacher to student interactions

customizes learning for different types of learners.

““A 2007 report by Florida TaxWatch found A 2007 report by Florida TaxWatch found that students who were enrolled in online that students who were enrolled in online courses outperformed their peers in courses outperformed their peers in traditional schools. The report noted that traditional schools. The report noted that FLVS students consistently earned higher FLVS students consistently earned higher grades, received better state assessment grades, received better state assessment scores, and achieved higher makrs on scores, and achieved higher makrs on Advanced Placement exams than students Advanced Placement exams than students in traditional schools” (Young et al, 2009, in traditional schools” (Young et al, 2009, p.16)p.16)

Because online learning has the capability of providing individualized instruction, students can achieve more. This will certainly help in closing the instructional gap.

Students can be exposed to a variety of authentic materials with online instruction (images, videos, sites)

Students will work (communicate/ collaborate) with others. This is very meaningful especially for the future. They will need to learn these skills for future jobs.

Online learning allows students to reach a larger audience, thereby hearing/seeing more points of view, and learning more from different sources.

REFERENCES

Lemke, C., & Coughlin, E. (2009). The change agents. Educational Leadership, 67(1), 54–59.

Young, J., Birtolo, P., & McElman, R. (2009). Virtual success: Transforming education through online learning. Learning & Leading with Technology, 36(5), 12–17. Search using the Education Research Complete database by the article's title.