Technology and the Internet Enable Virtual Schools, Ranging from Virtual Public Charter Schools to Online Universities
The use of online classes has accelerated dramatically during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Schools and institutions that had online programs already up and running were far ahead of the game, managing to continue classes on a remote basis. Here is a look at some of the programs that were ahead of the game.
Virtual Charter and K-12 Schools: Distance learning was not limited to college-level classes before the pandemic. A small number of charters schools were entirely virtual, with students learning online, typically from home. One of the most significant aspects of such schools is that students typically learned in a self-paced manner. Unfortunately, an intense 2015 study of 166 virtual, online-only charters published by CREDO, the Center for Research on Education Outcomes at Stanford University, found that students attending these schools had, on average, slightly lower academic growth in reading and in math than traditional school students.
Alternative Universities: The Minerva Schools at Keck Graduate Institute is part of an attempt to build a non-traditional university with Ivy League standards. Minerva’s hope is to build valuable relationships and a true community among students by eventually building dorms in major cities around the world. Elsewhere, The University of the People is a tuition-free, four-year university that operates as a nonprofit. By early 2019, the program had achieved accreditation by the Distance Education and Training Council. Students pay a small application fee, but the fee may be waived for students with low incomes.
For everything you need to know about the global Education, EdTech & MOOCs Industry sector, see:
Plunkett’s Education, EdTech & MOOCs Industry Almanac 2020
Available to Plunkett Research Online subscribers
See more information about the online edition here.
Also available in Almanac Editions.
Publication Date: June 2020 | Price: $379.99
Printed ISBN: 978-1-62831-533-2
eBook ISBN: 978-1-62831-878-4
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