State of Online Education Today

Online or virtual education is only about fifteen years old, and each year numerous online schools emerge as educators and politicians realize the potential of online learning. One of the constants of online education today is change. Because technology changes so rapidly, the state of online education is continuously in flux. One thing is certain: Online learning is here to stay.

How many students are enrolled in virtual school classes?

The forty virtual schools studied by the Peak Group reported a combined enrollment of 85,500 students in 2001–2002. However, this number continues to grow significantly each year and is estimated to be between 700,000 and 800,000 in 2009.

Online Programs

Because it is so new, little research exists to measure the effectiveness of online education. Part of the problem is the wide variety of programs that make it hard to define and collect information. Just as with traditional schools, there are excellent programs as well as programs that are almost certainly doomed to fail. In 2002, the Peak Group completed a study that recognized forty schools across the nation as leaders in online learning. Of these, fifteen schools provide the entire curriculum for the courses offered. The other twenty-five provide supplements to traditional classroom learning. Online teaching opportunities are available for teachers with vision. Each year the number of teaching opportunities grows. Some schools have part-time opportunities for educators who wish to become involved in this exciting form of teaching. While teaching online is not for everyone, it does provide many benefits and can be a rewarding career.

Deepa Singh
Business Developer
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Email Id:-deepa.singh@soarlogic.com