LEARNING IN A COMMUNITY IS IMPORTANT, ONLINE OR IN-PERSON

After conducting an extensive report on online education, SRI International for the Department of Education concluded that students who use online resources perform better than those who learn in a classroom setting. The study found that students who do some or all of their course online rank in the 59th percentile in tested performance, whereas students who learn only in the classroom score in the 50th percentile. Even though it seems that students who take advantage of online resources score better, it does not mean that a classroom setting is not essential to their education. That is why, at Applebatch, our Teacher Network provides teachers with the resources they need in the classroom and online.

Online education is a helpful tool for students because it provides learning resources that are more tailored to individual students than it is possible in classrooms. It allows students to ‘learn by doing’, which helps them understand concepts better. Online education is expected to grow because of it success as well as the popularity of social networking technology. Students will continue to use online resources and be able to help and teach each other.

Philip R. Regier, dean of Arizona State University’s Online and Extended Campus program, stated that online learning communities will be created by students to enrich their education. However, learning will never be an independent, personal activity. “Learning has to occur in a community”, Mr. Regier said. Applebatch couldn’t agree more. Community is an essential part to learning and expanding knowledge. While students are forming their own online communities to help one another, Applebatch has already provided a teacher community for educators. Teachers can take advantage of the Applebatch Teacher Community to share resources, discuss education news, build their professional network, and continue to enhance their careers.