keeping pace with k-12 digital learning: annual review of policy & practice
TRANSCRIPT
Research Webinar
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John Watsonkpk12.com
@KeepingPaceK12
Session agenda
1. National digital learning landscape
2. Key policy issues
3. Trends and looking to 2015
4. Q&A and discussion throughout with a focus on data collection/analysis issues
Digital learning adoption rates (not absolute size, and many exceptions)
Most/earliest activity
Least/recent activity
Corporate training/military
Post secondary
Charter schools
Traditional public schools
Private schools
K-12 digital learning evolution towards
greater district activity
2004State level, fully online
2014District level,
blended
Reasons for going digital
1. Student achievement
2. Access
3. Technology skills
4. Cost
K-12 digital learning evolution towards
greater district activity
2004Online
2014Digital
2009Blended
TEACHING
DIGITAL CONTENT
DIGITAL PLATFORM
DEVICES
High school
DIGITAL CONTENT
Elementary
• Often used in a wide range of fully online courses.
• In physical classrooms, widely used to augment face-to-face instruction.
• May be done at the course, department, school, or district level.
• Often skill-based, adaptive math and ELA.
• Adoptions are usually at the school or district level.
• Accessed during regular class time, under supervision of the classroom teacher.
High school
DIGITAL PLATFORM
Elementary
• Often a school-wide or district-wide LMS and SIS are used as base platforms.
• Some additional content may be accessed within its own technology platform.
• Usually a course-specific technology platform is used for each subject area.
High school
DEVICES
Elementary
• Vary based on the digital options.
• Across all grade levels content is increasingly being built for mobile devices.
• Fully online courses usually still require a laptop or desktop computer.
• Classroom-based digital content is often accessed on a tablet.
• Laptop or desktop computers are used less often than tablets.
• Tablets are often pre-loaded with content that is tablet-specific.
High school
TEACHING
Elementary
• Online courses are taught by teachers from a distance, with little or no face-to-face interaction with students.
• Classroom-based teachers may use digital content.
• Alt ed and ind study programs use a combination of online teachers and onsite mentors.
• Teachers are almost always classroom-based and use digital content in their existing class.
Improving student achievement via digital learning
Source: Andy Calkins, Next Generation Learning Challenges
Digital Content• 20,000 students using math content • 13,400 students using literacy content
Blended Schools• Whole-school blended learning redesigns
4 elementary blended 61% 3 middle schools blended 25%–100% 1 high school blended 50%
Credit Recovery• Online content and f2f instruction• Students meet with teachers 2–3/week
Source: US DOE Office for Civil RightsData Snapshot: College and Career Readiness
50% high schools don’t offer calculus
37% don’t offer physics
Lack of equal access is an ongoing issue
Nevada Learning Academy (NLA)• Launched in fall 2004 as CCSD VHS• Serves students statewide• 700 FT students in SY 2013-14• 12,796 PT students/29,829 enrollments
e3 – Engage, Empower, Explore Project• Title I One-to-One Mobile Learning Project• 9 middle schools have 1:1 programs using
tablets• All core instruction uses digital content and
tools
Horry County Virtual School• Supplemental courses, full load to a few
students• Own courses plus state virtual school
courses• 3,500 course enrollments initial credit and
credit recovery
Personalized Digital Learning Rollout• All MS students (10,000) received tablets for core subjects• Whittemore Park MS blended learning turnaround
Growing state virtual schools
Shrinking/flat state virtual schools
Most students are in charter schools• Some using digital learning to personalize
instruction• Other schools and organizations are moving
towards digital learning• Foundations and advocacy organizations are
supporting digital learning across the city
ReNEW Schools (2010)• 5 schools• 3,400 students PK–12
FirstLine Schools (1998)• 5 schools• 2,400 students PK–12
Digital learning in charter schools
Online charter schools
Charter schools with significant digital elements
Began as private physical schools
Began as private/online
Began as public/online
Course choice
Definition:
1. One or more providers.
2. A district cannot deny a request to enroll.
3. Funding follows the student.
Course choice
Definition:
1. One or more providers.
2. A district cannot deny a request to enroll.
3. Funding follows the student.
Course choice
District/student control
District allowed to deny access
easily
Students allowed to choose online
courses easily
Online learning requirements/
effective graduation year
Alabama 2013
Arkansas 2018
Florida 2015
Michigan 2011
Virginia 2017
Sou
rce: New
York Tim
es
MOOCs
Summary: student access and outcomes
John Watsonkpk12.com
@KeepingPaceK12
Upcoming Webinar:
Date & Time:
Thursday, 12/11, 1pm Eastern Time
Topic:
K-12 Virtual Schools and Their Research Needs
(Part 1 of 4)
Presenters:
Ryan Gravette and Jeff Simmons, Idaho Digital
Learning Academy
Cindy Hamblin, Illinois Virtual School
Joe Cozart, Georgia Virtual School
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