Hannah

Bisbing
ENG 137H
11/8/14


The Rise of Online Education in Our Schools: A Paradigm Shift

School: an educational institution; a building where young people receive education.

Since the founding of educational institutions, common associations of primary school are
brick buildings, drab-colored classrooms, chalky blackboards, fluorescently illuminated
hallways, teachers young and old, and hundreds of schoolchildren intently listening to their
lessons. However, through historical and societal development, traditional concepts of the
idyllic brick-and-mortar schools have been replaced by more innovative, unconventional
educational options. Today, working in home, library, or coffee shop environments is now
an increasingly typical, preferred, and promoted school setting.

Within the past two decades, fully virtual educational institutes known as cyber charter
schools have appeared in the United States and are becoming increasingly prevalent. K-12
cyber charters first appeared in the 1990s, offering typical courses that traditional primary
schools provided and utilizing teachers, classes, and grades in the same conventional
manner. The only apparent difference between the two educational models was the
physical location of an individual: in brick-and mortar building or in home (or alternative)
environments. There are now thirty states plus the District of Columbia that have certified
cyber charter schools. According to statistics from the 2010-2011 academic year,
approximately 250,000 students from kindergarten to twelfth grade were enrolled in these

fully online schools (Woodruff). A significant shift in educational styles is happening in our
society due to technological advancements, altering societal values, and the multitude of
benefits that students can experience by opting for alternative schooling methods.

Nationally, the popularity of cyber charter schools reflects a trend of expanding online
demand that appears to be student-driven (Niederberger). Over the past ten to fifteen
years, in particular, cyber charters have made a noticeable impact on educational, social,
and economical spheres. Just in 2014 alone, $49.6 billion was invested in the e-learning
economy. Today, there are more than three hundred fully virtual charter schools in the
United States, fourteen of which are just in Pennsylvania. These schools are either operated
completely independently from public schools districts as self-functioning entities or are
created and managed by a public school itself. Regardless of whether they are entirely
separate or are an online version of a particular public school, cyber charter schools are
required to be fully accredited by the U.S. Department of Education and must meet annual
yearly progress (AYP) standards in order to remain functioning (Cyber).

Increasing trends of choosing virtual education over traditional schooling are happening
for several main reasons. The first, and arguably most prominent, reason is undoubtedly
the advancement and availability of technology. Throughout history, changes in education
and upgrades in technology have gone hand in hand. For instance, in 1728 the worlds first
example of a distance-learning was established in Boston, Massachusetts that relied on
lessons taught through the mail. Two hundred years later, Pennsylvania State University
began to offer various courses through the radio (Infographic). Students would simply tune

in their radios to the proper station and listen to their professors teach their lessons. Later
in the 20th century, telephone and television learning programs developed and became
quite popular. In culmination, in 1969 the U.S. Department of Defense invented the
Internet, which soon dominated the technological world. Today, the Internet and
computers are extremely prevalent in most aspects of life, including unsurprisingly -
education.

Illustrating this fact, by 2009, 97% of brick-and-mortar teachers had at least one computer
in their classrooms and 54% of teachers brought personal computers into the classroom.
Furthermore, 40% of students used computers in the classroom during their instructional
times with a student to computer ration of 5.3 to 1. Technology is simply modern life
nowadays, with 90% of Americans owning a smartphone, laptop, MP3 player, game
console, e-book reader, or tablet and 26% of Americans owning a smartphone, laptop, and
a tablet. Regarding these trends, growing integration of technology within education and
the existence of fully online schooling therefore appears connected, expected, and
seemingly inevitable.

Additionally, the rising numbers of cyber charter students are undoubtedly tied to the
variety of benefits that this schooling choice gives individuals. Online education offers
students increased flexibility of schedules that tradition schooling does not. This is
particularly valued for children who are different or exemplary in some sense compared to
the typical primary school student, like student athletes who must take significant time off
school to train/to compete, young musicians who take private lessons at music schools

during the day, children with severe allergies or asthma, and kids with certain disabilities.
Also, this flexibility and constant openness of classes allows students to work at their own
paces, whether faster or slower (Lips). Consequentially, this has proven to cause better
retention of information and to make success more attainable.

Another significant advantage of online school is the availability of high-level courses
(Online Schools). Cyber charter schools often provide access to unique, honors, or AP/IB
classes that students otherwise would not be able to take in their home districts, whether
due to lack of money, teaching staff, or high enough academic ability of the general student
body. This option allows students to obtain further educational opportunities and to
experience intellectual development, which benefits individual character as a whole.

This schooling choice is even arguable from an economic standpoint. Students enrolled in
public cyber charter schools do not have to pay any additional fees to get this alternative
education. Cyber school is paid for in the same way as regular public schools: through
taxes. Money comes directly from childrens school districts to support their education, not
from parents pockets. Plus, all required textbooks and course materials are provided just
like brick-and-mortar schools. In nearly all cases, cyber students even get an additional
benefit: any necessary technology is supplied to them, including personal computers,
tablets, virtual writing pads, calculators, and science equipment.

Besides each of the legitimate reasons already discussed, another considerably important
plus driving the absolute online trend is that cyber schooling enables early development

of technological skills that are deemed vital in todays society. According to 21st Century
Cyber Charter School, one of the top cyber charters offered in Pennsylvania, Cyber school
students enter college and the workforce with a leg up on other students, as they are
already intimately familiar with how technology can be integrated into their work
environment (Glick). Cyber students learn to communicate effectively through email,
discussion boards, blogs, and virtual classroom chats (textual and vocal). Students also
learn the importance of networking; asking for assistance when needed; being self-
motivated, dedicated, and independent; and being proactive when questions, clarification,
or further work is required. Therefore, cyber learning not only provides technological
knowledge, but also develops beneficial character traits.

Analyzing the general trends of cyber charter entrance quantities, the likelihood of further
enrollment, development, and utilization of online schools is quite strong. Today, there are
more than 300 virtual charter schools in the United States with over 250,000 enrolled
students. Based on graphical and textual information, this upward surge will surely
continue in the future, with more students opting for online schooling environments and
more cyber charter institutions being developed.

However, virtual education still has many opponents beyond its growing proponents.
Arguments about cutting valuable teaching jobs, taking money away from a home school
district, not getting enough socialization, and performing poorly in terms of state
standards/on standardized tests are frequently debated amongst wary parents, teachers,

and state governments. While these are each legitimate concerns, cyber charter schools
actually refute most negative beliefs.

In terms of school performance, most virtual schools actually receive higher average test
scores than their public counterparts. The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter Schools average
ACT and SAT scores (22.4 and 1515) are higher than both the state and national averages
(21.9 & 1473 for Pennsylvania; 21 & 1509 for the country) (Cyber). Additionally,
decreasing teaching jobs does not directly coincide with increased virtual school
attendance. In fact, many teachers are simply switching from traditional schools to cyber
instructional environments due to cyber schoolings growing interest. Furthermore,
although money is taken out of a school district to support a child who chooses cyber
schooling, the same money would have been spent on the child regardless of where he/she
attended school, meaning there is not net loss. Socialization is also a key element of virtual
schools, with most taking bi or tri-monthly field trips, having in-house classes on occasion,
and having live teacher-student tutoring sessions.

Even if fully online schools do not entirely replace traditional schooling systems in the near
future, the blended schooling option of online and in-class classes will definitely increase
as well (Goodin). According to an online public school enrollment study, current growth
trends suggest that 50% of all courses in grades nine through twelve will be taken online
by 2019. Reinforcing this allegation further, state education secretary Ron Tomalis has
claimed about the future expansion of online education, "I think the days of old when you
go to a school and [are told] 'here's your teacher, here's your textbook and curriculum' are

over. I think blended learning will be more the norm in the future. It really individualizes
learning. Technology allows us to have a platform that has a large reach."

Bibliography:

"Additional Information on Charter Schools." PA Department of Education. Web. 1 Nov. 2014.
"As Enrollment in Cyber Schools Rises So Do Questions About Quality and Accountability
According to New National Study." NEPC. Web. 1 Nov. 2014.
"Cyber Charters in Pennsylvania Growing despite Issues." Pittsburgh Post Gazette. 2 Sept. 2012.
Web. 1 Nov. 2014.
"Cyber Charter Schools: The End of Public Education or a New Beginning?" MadameNoire RSS.
22 Nov. 2010. Web. 9 Nov. 2014.
"Deschooling Society." Web. 1 Nov. 2014.
<https://educatorsthinkspace.wikispaces.com/Deschooling Society>.
Goodin, Alma. "Online Or In Class: The Shifting Educational Paradigm." Web. 1 Nov. 2014.
"Infographic History of Distance Education." History of Distance & Online Education
Infographic. Web. 1 Nov. 2014.
Julian, Liam. "The Rise of Cyber-Schools." The New Atlantis. Web. 1 Nov. 2014.
Layton, Lyndsey, and Emma Brown. "Virtual Schools Are Multiplying, but Some Question
Their Educational Value." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 26 Nov. 2011. Web. 1 Nov.
2014.
Lips, Dan. "How Online Learning Is Revolutionizing K-12 Education and Benefiting Students."
The Heritage Foundation. 12 Jan. 2010. Web. 1 Nov. 2014.
Niederberger, Mary. "Cyber Charters in Pennsylvania Growing Despite Issues." Pittsburgh PostGazette. 2 Sept. 2012. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.
"Online Schools Face Backlash Amid Exploding Popularity, States Question Academic Results."
The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 3 Oct. 2012. Web. 1 Nov. 2014.
Woodruff, Judy. "Online Public Schools Gain Popularity, but Quality Questions Persist." PBS.
PBS, 23 Feb. 2012. Web. 3 Nov. 2014.

Citations:
"Cyber Charter Schools: The End of Public Education or a New Beginning?" MadameNoire RSS.
22 Nov. 2010. Web. 9 Nov. 2014.
Glick, Ashley. "Five Reasons to Go to Cyber School." 21st Century Cyber Charter School. 31
Dec. 2013. Web. 3 Nov. 2014.
Lips, Dan. "How Online Learning Is Revolutionizing K-12 Education and Benefiting Students."
The Heritage Foundation. 12 Jan. 2010. Web. 1 Nov. 2014.
Niederberger, Mary. "Cyber Charters in Pennsylvania Growing Despite Issues." Pittsburgh PostGazette. 2 Sept. 2012. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.
"Online Schools Face Backlash Amid Exploding Popularity, States Question Academic Results."
The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 3 Oct. 2012. Web. 1 Nov. 2014.
Woodruff, Judy. "Online Public Schools Gain Popularity, but Quality Questions Persist." PBS.
PBS, 23 Feb. 2012. Web. 3 Nov. 2014.