ISSUES IN K-12 ONLINE LEARNING

Issues in K-12 Online Learning

Marvin L. Hunter
Regent University

ISSUES IN K-12 ONLINE LEARNING

We live in a fast pace society where technology is used in just about every part of life. It
is hard not find a business that has not incorporated the latest technology into its daily
operations. Even in education, technology is changing the way students learn and teachers teach.
The implementation of online learning has offered unlimited possibilities in education. Online
also has its challenges as well. In this paper, I will discuss issues in K-12 online learning. The
information in this paper was gathered from a review of three scholarly articles that address
issues in K-12 online learning.
In Thomsons (2010), Beyond the classroom walls: Teachers and students perspectives
on how online learning can meet the needs of gifted students, Thompson presented evidence
based on a study, on how gifted students can greatly benefit from online learning. Of particular
note, online learning offers gifted students access to more advanced courses and resources that
may not be available at the local school (pg. 667). Online learning also offers great flexibility as
course materials are available 24hrs a day. Students are able to work at their own pace.
Thompson(2010) also cited that a meta-analysis conducted by the Department of Education
found that students in online courses performed better on their assessments and received better
grades in comparison to students taking the same course through traditional methods (pg. 669).
Thompson (2010) noted several challenges in online learning. Some students, due to their
level of esteem, may miss the face-to face interaction with peers. Some students may not be able
to handle the more in-depth, intensive courses. Finally, online learning may not be practical for
students who have a hard time staying motivated, lack time management and organizational
skills, or may not be comfortable with technology. I have witness this first hand as I have several
students that I currently teach, struggle with completing required online courses due to their lack

ISSUES IN K-12 ONLINE LEARNING

of motivation and inexperience with technology. I pretty much agree with everything in this
article and didnt have anything that I would disagree with.
Thompsons findings may offer future teachers the ability to tailor learning based on the
students need. A teacher could group students based on learning level and allow them to
progress through courseware at their own pace.
School Environment and Technology Implementation in K12 Classrooms (Lu and
Overbaugh, 2009) was a study that examined teachers perceptions of their school environment
in terms of factors that enhance or prohibit the use of instructional technology (pg.89). The
participants of the study were a group of K-12 in-service teachers from Virginia. The study
points out that the availability of technology has been in place for years, yet the integration into
some school systems has been slow. Several factors have caused the delay in the implementation
of technology. Of noted significance were time constraints and technical problems that could not
be resolved in a reasonable amount of time (pg.95). The study also noted differences in
technology resources between rural, urban, and suburban schools. These findings are important
to future educators in that it provides information that will help them make more informed
decisions in where they would like to possibly be employed as a teacher. A future teacher who is
tech savvy may lose drive and motivation if employed by a school system that may be lagging in
the implementation of technology.
Learning to Teach Online: What works for pre-service teachers (Duncan & John, 2009)
was an article on a study that followed 19 pre-service student teachers as they learned about
teaching and learning online. The students were tasked to look at issues related to online
learning. They were to also explore appropriate uses of online learning in the K-12 environment
(pg.363). The article highlighted the fact that Online learning has established its value in the K

ISSUES IN K-12 ONLINE LEARNING

12 education system by offering flexible and creative alternatives for K-12 students (pg.357).
However, some teacher education programs may be lacking in the necessary curriculum to
adequately prepare new teachers with the skills necessary to teach online. Teachers skilled in
teaching in the traditional classroom may not be as skilled in teaching online. Many K-12
teachers currently teaching in online environments lack both theoretical and practical
understandings of teaching and learning online(pg.358). To meet the needs of 21st century
learners, pre-service teacher education programs must equip the next generation of teachers with
the skills to teach in a variety of media that their future students will be using (pg. 373). These
findings are beneficial to a future teacher in that it provides them insight on what courses they
may need to take as a part of their education plan. Future teachers need to be equipped to teach in
both the traditional setting as well as online.

ISSUES IN K-12 ONLINE LEARNING

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References

Duncan, Heather E., Barnett, John (2009). Learning to Teach Online: What works for preservice teachers. Journal of Educational Computing Research. 2009, Vol. 40 Issue 3,
p357-376. DOI: 10.2190/EC.40.3.f.
Lu, Ruiling, Overbaugh, Richard C. (2009). School Environment and Technology
Implementation in K12 Classrooms. Computers in the Schools. Apr-Jun 2009, Vol. 26
Issue 2, p89-106. 18p. DOI: 10.1080/07380560902906096
Thomson, D. L. (2010). Beyond the classroom walls: Teachers and students perspectives on
how online learning can meet the needs of gifted students. Journal of Advanced
Academics. Summer 2010, Vol. 21 Issue 4, p662-712.