[Offtopic] Online classes (US)

[Stephen Loosley]

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0330/p14s02-legn.html

Michigan lawmakers are likely to pass legislation soon that requires high 
school students to take one course online before they graduate.

"What happened is Michigan beat everyone to the punch," says Susan Patrick, 
president and CEO of the North American Council for Online Learning.

Ms. Patrick says more states will follow Michigan's lead as they realize the 
importance of online-literacy in the 21st century.

As of July last year .. 21 states had K-12 online learning programs, 
according to a large study by Learning Point Associates. The online learning 
programs report rapid growth, some by double-digit percentages every year. 
Utah and Florida have by far the biggest state online learning programs, 
with more than 35,000 students enrolled in Utah and 21,000 in Florida.

Students have a variety of reasons for taking courses online. Some need 
flexible schedules or can't come to school for medical or disciplinary 
reasons. Others retake classes they failed or enroll in specialized courses 
their schools don't offer..

Most educational technology experts say what's most promising is a 
collaboration of traditional and online classes. "The future is a blended 
model," Patrick says.

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Cheers all ..
Stephen Loosley
Victoria, Australia