Online learning: It's not about choosing sides

The polar positions set forth in a recent piece in The New York Times about the rise of online learning — particularly as it applies to credit recovery — go a little something like this:

"Online learning is all about the kids."

"Online learning is all about saving a buck."

The piece, by Times reporter Trip Gabriel, should be required reading for anyone who cares about education reform. It certainly highlights the entrenched positions by each side in the online learning debate.

But it might be missing something important that we've noticed about the rise of online learning: Most teachers, parents, students, administrators and other leaders have not chosen sides — and most probably will not.

For most folks, online learning is an option — and evolving one, to be sure — but not a panacea. It's a tool that, in good hands, can help students do amazing things. And in some cases it provides an option that makes learning possible for students who otherwise would not have access to AP courses, remediation that will get them back on track for on-time graduation or even access to school, period.

It can also help schools make the bottom line. In other words, it can be both about students and budgets.

In the wrong hands, though, online learning is a shortcut — one that shortchanges both students and schools, not to mention our communities as a whole.

In the end, online learning works best when it has the same kinds of support as a successful brick-and-mortar education: Buy-in from educators, interest from students, backing from administrators and political leaders — and, yes, adequate funding.

Rational people aren't choosing sides, they're exploring possibilities. 

Rebekah Richards is chief academic officer for The American Academy, which works with school district nationwide to help re-enroll students into flexible and supportive learning environments. For more information on The American Academy and its programs, visit nodropouts.com.