Digital Directions - Fall 2012 - (Page 33)

VIRTUAL ED. DIVES IN to the Common Core E-learning advocates are optimistic about the common standards’ emphasis on digital learning By_Ian Quillen P erhaps no segment of educators is more enthusiastic about the transition to the Common Core State Standards than those who work in virtual schools or in blended learning environments that mix face-to-face and online instruction. With the standards’ emphasis on deeper learning, collaboration, and applied knowledge, some proponents of online education suggest their adoption could lead to the passage of policies that are more friendly to effective online learning. Meanwhile, many online programs are already practicing the other changes inherent in common-standards adoption, such as the use of computer-based online assessments. “Opening up these learning trajectories and pathways through the common core—this is where we can really take advantage of tools and content in the digital environment,” says Susan D. Patrick, the president and chief executive officer of the International Association for K-12 Online Learning, or iNACOL, located in Vienna, Va. Because of that, leaders in virtual education have begun preparing for the transition and, in some cases, launching projects that, while not directly related to the common core, may stand to benefit greatly from its implementation. For example, online content repositories have grown greatly in the number of repositories and quantity of learning objects—individual items of digital educational content—thanks largely to the movement to align those learning objects to the common English/language arts and math standards and share them around the country. At the same time, efforts to institute certification of teachers for online instruction also appear to have gained steam from the belief that the common standards could help push momentum for the recognition of those credentials across state borders. One of those efforts, the Leading Edge Certification program launched in January by Computer-Using ILLUSTRATION: David Julian_for Digital Directions Fall 2012_ Digital Directions >> 33 

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Digital Directions - Fall 2012

Digital Directions - Fall 2012
Contents
Editor's Note
DD Site Visit
Bits & Bytes
Shifting to Adaptive Testing
Tailoring the Tests To Special Needs?
Choosing the Right Device
Bandwidth Demand Rising
Are You Ready?
Where’s the Money?
High-Priority Virtual PD
Online PD Destinations
Virtual Ed. Dives In to the Common Core
Open Education Resources Surge
Security

Digital Directions - Fall 2012

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