Online Schools: a New Frontier in Public Education

While the jury's still out on how—and how well—online education can serve young people's learning needs, researchers are setting to work in this new field of study. They have much to do to fully uncover the strengths and weaknesses of online education at the elementary and secondary level. Nevertheless, it looks like it's here to stay. As many as 1 million high school students in the nation are taking online classes, according to one estimate, and online learning is a staple offering of colleges, universities, and professional development providers.

Teachers tell us that being a good online teacher requires every bit of the art, craft, and professional skill that it takes to teach in a conventional classroom. But it is different. As one teacher puts it, online pedagogy requires a teacher to be warm and engaging over a keyboard.

Online education is a sprawling topic. We chose to focus mostly on statewide online programs that are coming from the K-12 public school sphere. We also give special attention to what is taking place at the state level. These are stories that are still in the making. Online learning is a new frontier for K-12 schools, and the risks and benefits can be substantial, but the Northwest has always been rich with enterprising pioneers. With forward-thinking pragmatism, they are making tracks in new territory.

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Features

Crossing the Public School-Homeschool Divide
Lauded and lambasted for its innovations, the tiny school district in Galena, Alaska, has helped to start a revolution in distance education.

The Search for Funding
Online education is shaking up the school-funding establishment.
Reports From the Frontlines of Online Ed

• Q and A: Camille Cole
• Q and A: Randy Harnisch

Additional Reading and Web Sites

Minding the Gap: State Cybersolutions to NCLB Mandates
States launch online programs to help schools meet federal requirements.

Moving Ahead With Distance Education in Montana
The road to statewide distance ed is rocky, but online courses may smooth the way for rural kids to get the classes they need—and want.

Letterature
Essayist Brian Doyle reminds us of the joys of exchanging letters, those "papery handshakes," through the post.

Long-Distance Relationships
Teaching Web design to a blind student, a seasoned online teacher sees his job afresh.
Accessible Information Technology in Education

The Online Teacher: When the Wee Hours Are Prime Time
An old-fashioned love of teaching thrives online.
Making the Link to College
Teaching at the Federal Way Internet Academy

Family Connections
A Web-based translation service breaks down language barriers and fortifies parents' ties to the classroom.

Giving Fresh Starts
When students are on the brink of dropping out, school counselors can offer online options to keep them coming back.

departments

Forum

Editor's Note

Gallery
Scenic photos are vivid evidence of the reach of online learning.

Voices
Teaching Writing in the Digital Age

Resources
Resource Annex

Research Brief
Emerging Research on E-Learning

Region at a Glance
Spotlight on Supplementary Services

End Note
Online in the Early Days

Expert Opinion
The art of online pedagogy

Money Matters
Surprising places to find funds for online programs

Q&A
An Intel ethnographer talks about technology's place in the home

Masthead

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