Issues in Online Schooling By: 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 Schooling o The first recorded distance course was done by mail in the 1840s. o After the invention of the radio and much later television, schools began offering more distance courses. o By the late 1930’s many school systems broadcast educational programs for students off campus. o By the 1950’s most “Radio Courses” had ceased. o In 1996 the first fully online accredited university was launched. Shortwave Craft, April 1935 edition.

Online Schooling for Primary and Secondary Education o Pros: o Students get to learn at their own pace. o Students can learn from the comfort of their own homes. o Students can have more say in what they learn. o Cons: o Students have limited social contact with peers. o Students with low self-initiative get worse scores. o Students have more opportunity to cheat. o The quality of their courses is not always guaranteed.

Online Schooling for Higher Education o Pros: o Students can access their courses from anywhere with internet access. o It is more convenient for nontraditional students. o Cons: o Not all online “universities” are accredited. o The quality of online courses is not always guaranteed. o It is more difficult for professors to prepare for. o Students have more opportunity to cheat.

Online Schooling and the Digital Divide o How online schooling may increase the Digital Divide: o Students with no Internet connection will be left behind. o Students with bad Internet connection will be left behind. o How online schooling could help close the Digital Divide: o Poor school districts can get grants to help offer online classes for students. o Students with access to internet can learn about new technologies and introduce them to their local communities.

Online Schooling and Academic Honesty o In a recent survey 33% of college students admitted to cheating in at least one of their online classes. o Some ways people cheat on online classes: o Using banned materials (e.g. Using a textbook, notes, or google on a closed book, note, etc. test) o Having a friend take the class for you. o Paying someone to do your assignments for you.

Combatting the Cons o The Cons of Online Primary and Secondary Education: o To 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. o To 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 Continued o The 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. o Many online institutions for higher learning will have places for students to review and rank their courses.

Combatting the Cons Continued o Academic Honesty: o Webcams: webcams can be used for proctoring students during tests and Identifying them as the registered student. o Keystroke 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. o Lockdown browsers: these prevent the student from visiting any other sites while they are taking a test or quiz.

Conclusion

Questions?

References education-forever/ education-forever/ online-program-is-accreditedhttp:// online-program-is-accredited