A “Not-So-New” Imperative: The Urgency to Adopt Online Learning Options

1. A “Not-So-New” Imperative: The Urgency to Adopt Online Learning Options Christopher Harrington, Ed.D. Director of Bridges Virtual Education Services

2. why are we here today? a conversation.

3. across the nation… state virtual schools or initiatives have developed in 40 states. 536,000course enrollments in SY 2010-11 19%annual increase Watson, J., Murin, A., Vashaw, L., Gemin, B., & Rapp, C. (2011). Keeping pace with K12 online learning: An annual review of policy and practice. Evergreen, CO: Evergreen Education Group.

5. across the nation… full-time multi-district online schools continue to grow. 30states…250,000 students in SY 2010-11 25%annual increase Watson, J., Murin, A., Vashaw, L., Gemin, B., & Rapp, C. (2011). Keeping pace with K12 online learning: An annual review of policy and practice. Evergreen, CO: Evergreen Education Group.

7. across the nation… single district programs are the fastest growing segment of online and blended learning. most district programs are blended instead of fully online. Watson, J., Murin, A., Vashaw, L., Gemin, B., & Rapp, C. (2011). Keeping pace with K12 online learning: An annual review of policy and practice. Evergreen, CO: Evergreen Education Group.

8. across the nation…

9. across the nation… implications for commercial content providers?

11. what’s happening in Pennsylvania?

13. in Pennsylvania… Watson, J., Murin, A., Vashaw, L., Gemin, B., & Rapp, C. (2011). Keeping pace with K12 online learning: An annual review of policy and practice. Evergreen, CO: Evergreen Education Group.

14. in Pennsylvania… Pennsylvania Department of Education. (2012). Public school enrollment reports. Retrieved from http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/enrollment/7407/public_school_enrollment_reports/620541

15. this has been building for years.

16. Who is driving this shift? students & families

17. Pennsylvania schools are responding… They know that they need a solution! • Models: • Purchasing content and instructional services from 3rd party providers • Purchasing content only from 3rdparty providers – taught by own teachers • Developing own content – taught by own teachers • Combination of the above

18. What are the these schools thinking?

19. implementation aspects… • StrategicPlanning • Learning Management System • SupportStructures • Program Evaluation • Marketing & Promotion

20. implementation aspects… • StrategicPlanning • strategic planning: • school board and community support • growth and sustainability • professional development • academic and administrative supports • program evaluation

21. implementation aspects… • SupportStructures • support structures: • attendance • professional development • counselor procedures • progress monitoring • special education • technology policies

22. implementation aspects… • Learning Management System • learning management system: • system evaluation and selection • implementation management • professional development • course design support

23. implementation aspects… • marketing and promotion: • outreach strategy aligned to growth and sustainability strategy • development of outreach materials • outreach program evaluation • Marketing & Promotion

24. implementation aspects… • program evaluation: • data collection and analysis • cost/benefit analysis • retooling for subsequent years • Program Evaluation

25. Where are you in this process?

26. what is my next step? Start the conversation in your school. Find your “champion”…it won’t happen by itself. Do your homework…research! Learn what works, and what doesn’t work. Seek others who have traveled the road before you. Learn from the successes and mistakes of others.

27. a conversation. …learning and growing together

28. A “Not-So-New” Imperative: The Urgency to Adopt Online Learning Options Christopher Harrington, Ed.D. Director of Bridges Virtual Education Services charrington@bridgesvirtual.org (267) 718-2202