Mike Gwaltney

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Online schooling saves money, and students like it – but do they learn? Debate raging on.

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Mike Gwaltney

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I’ve been teaching courses in a blended fashion for several years now, meaning partially online and partially “brick and mortar”. I’ve been calling my classes the “2.0 version”.

This year, I’ll be teaching a fully online version of AP U.S. Government & Politics and that has me paying closer attention to news items and journal articles about online learning. Yesterday, Oregon Public Broadcasting had this to say about the debate over the value of online courses (below). Apparently everyone agrees they save cash, but the jury is out on whether they are effective.

What do you think? Do you have experience taking an online course? Teaching one? Did it work? Please post your thoughts.

From news.opb.org

Paul Nelson: “Virtually every study I’ve seen has shown that students enjoy taking courses online, it may not be their whole educational experience, but where it’s appropriate, it fits their schedule, they enjoy that and it works.”

Kelly Carlisle: “We actually are looking at the data, and right now we are not satisfied with the results of the online courses, in terms of the numbers of students who are successfully completing the classes.”

Nelson says so long as there’s an emphasis on personal contact between teachers and students – online education is a good option for most students.

But Kelly Carlisle who supervises Salem-Keizer’s online program, is doubtful. He says while there are some savings, there are also additional costs – technology and training, for instance.

Kelly Carlisle: “I’m not convinced we’re going to see savings to the degree of 20 percent result. But even if there’s a small savings, that’s something to be happy about.”

On the academic bottom line, Carlisle says he’s seen mixed results.

Nelson says the center can also save money. He says it won’t this year, when there are only 200 to 400 students enrolled. But he says a study of Florida’s enormous virtual school found savings there of 20 percent.

Paul Nelson: “The savings were realized because students didn’t have to be bussed, you didn’t have to buy buildings, or paint them, or air-condition them, or power them.”

Read more at news.opb.org

3 responses

  1. Jim Adams Avatar
    Jim Adams

    I would say it “depends.” We are beginning to offer on-line courses and have had good results in select courses with motivated students in subjects like AP Psychology and even Expository Composition. I am anxious to see if on-line education is as successful with remedial courses and less motivated students. It also depends, like all education, on the quality, creativity, and work ethic of the teacher. If I were going to recommend an online course I would feel good if I saw “Mike Gwaltney” listed as the teacher.

    Reply
    1. Mike Gwaltney Avatar
      Mike Gwaltney

      Jim, thank you for your thoughtful comment. I’ve taken online courses and found just what you’ve observed. When I’m motivated, the class is great. When I’m not, it’s not. I’m teaching one AP course and a non-Honors course for the Online School for Girls (http://onlineschoolforgirls.org) this year, so maybe I’ll have some insight.

      And thanks of course for the compliments, much appreciated! Have a great start to the school year! Cheers!

      Reply
      1. Kathryn Munoz Avatar
        Kathryn Munoz

        I agree with the idea that money will be saved as well as spent on technology trainingg. But, teachers whom have been teaching technology courses online, such as the online classes I am taking, seem to have sufficient funds. As technology changes, of course they’ll have to update their technological tools. But, I believe it saves money to teach elementary and highschool students online. I agree, they spend less on tranportation and utility bills when buildings are not being used, as in a regular classroom setting.

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