Online School Makes a Splash in Department of Education Study
A recently released study by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) has indicated that online school, especially at the postsecondary level, is not only competitive with but can be "more effective than conventional face-to-face instruction," according to Marshall "Mike" Smith, a Senior Counselor to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.
The DOE conducted a meta-analysis of over a thousand studies of online learning—including part-online or blended teaching methods—that took place from 1996 to July 2008, selecting a total of 46 that met appropriate standards for rigor of research design. These studies enabled researchers to examine the contrast between online school and face-to-face instruction on a number of levels, including student performance, time spent on educational tasks, and the conditions associated with successful learning.
The verdict? Not only are online schools and degree programs one of the fastest-growing areas of higher education, but they may also offer advantages that a traditional classroom learning experience doesn't, such as greater learning time as well as different instructional methods and resources.
"Good teachers can utilize new technology to accelerate learning and provide extended learning opportunities for students," says Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. With recent research looking ever more promising, now is the ideal time to look into online school as an option for your higher education.
The verdict? Not only are online schools and degree programs one of the fastest-growing areas of higher education, but they may also offer advantages that a traditional classroom learning experience doesn't, such as greater learning time as well as different instructional methods and resources.
"Good teachers can utilize new technology to accelerate learning and provide extended learning opportunities for students," says Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. With recent research looking ever more promising, now is the ideal time to look into online school as an option for your higher education.
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