A school district considering the use of online learning faces a number of choices:
What is the target group of students — what subjects and what types of students, for example, gifted, needing extra help, dropping out, homebound from illness, etc.?
What role is intended for the online product?
- Support for and enhancement of class room learning (homework, presentations, etc.)
- Support for local teachers in providing online learning
- Platform (communications, repository, tools)
- Platform plus content
- Turnkey — fully automated or with teaching support from staff of the provider
What is the operational model for the product?
- Distance learning – online communication with remote teacher
- Electronic correspondence
- Synchronous – online chat and/or video
- Asynchronous – e-mail
- Electronic correspondence
- True online learning
- Computer delivery of content
- Computer administration of testing
- Computer provision of oversight reporting
What type of provider does the school want to work with?
- Standalone private online education provider
- State or local K12 school system
- Higher education institution – in-state or out-of-state