Online Learning – Pros and Cons
Many of my clients are textbook publishers and all of them are increasingly including technology as part of their programs. Digital versions of the textbooks along with supplementary websites for students and teachers are now expected. Most of the work I am currently doing relates to developing the technology side of their programs.
This NY Times article focuses on the Khan Academy and does a good job presenting both the pros and cons of their particular online approach toward teaching math. It also points out that all of the Khan Academy videos are free, which is something that is problematic for my clients to emulate with their for profit business model.
The article predicts that there will be many more imitators of the Khan Academy in the immediate future. It will be important for my clients to monitor what schools can get for free and to ensure that their products deliver sufficient value to be purchased.
Looks like “interesting” times are ahead.
Can you find five qualitative research questions in the following problem statement?
“It is not known how a small, rural school district in Oklahoma became the only “Blue Ribbon School” in its county, and one of five in the entire state. Since this is the only school district in the county with an integrated faculty and staff, further research should be conducted to find out if a diverse faculty and staff elevates student achievement.”
Annie – Thanks for commenting on my blog.
The problem statement you provided does not make much sense to me.
The idea that “further research should be conducted to find out if a diverse faculty and staff elevates student achievement” seems to posit a reason for the result that may or may not be relevant.
The key qual question that comes to mind is:
What factors do the administration, staff, parents and students cite as influential regarding the school being awarded the Blue Ribbon?
If I really wanted to get to the bottom of why the blue ribbon was awarded, I would probably begin with some quantitative research to discern the differences between this school and those that are close in performance and those that are polar opposite in performance. The results of this investigation might point toward other questions to pursue qualitatively.