In this post, we’ll cover: calculating instructional spending and cost-effectiveness, tracking instructional allocations across locations, strategic alignment, and financial behavior. For instructional leadership in school districts, measuring and improving student achievement and connecting instructional programs to student outcomes is key.To accomplish this goal, there are four ways to measure success.  

1. Calculating Instructional Spending and Cost-Effectiveness

  Should a particular program be continued, expanded, reduced, or discontinued? With a clear understanding of the balance between a program’s cost and its effects, a Chief Academic Officer (CAO) and Instructional Leadership will have the right information to make these tough decisions.   In that light, ESSA is a CAO’s best friend. The federal ESSA legislation is interested in the effectiveness of every dollar. This law includes provisions to implement programs with “strong,” “moderate,” or “promising” evidence of positive outcomes for students, as determined by existing scholarly research. Thus, it will be more important than ever for a CAO to understand which programs are being implemented and to continuously monitor their results against their costs.   Specific questions that instructional leadership should ask regarding this point are:

2. Instructional Resource Allocation Across Schools

  All students deserve equitable resources and an equal opportunity for a great education. Do you know which instructional resources are being purchased to support instructional goals? How are instructional resources selected? Can your district account for where instructional resources end up and who they serve?   A specific question that instructional leadership should ask regarding this point is:

3. Strategic Alignment

  For CAOs and Instructional Program Managers, teacher and student success is the bottom line. That means instructional resources must be aligned with district goals for student achievement.   Specific questions that instructional leadership should ask regarding this point are:   In one district, we are working on strategic plans for each instructional program that aligns to the system vision. This approach parallels a school improvement plan that a principal creates for their school. With this model, each instructional program will collect data and milestones to measure progress. One key component of this process is aligning and evaluating spending based on their program’s strategic plan.   Specific questions that instructional leadership should ask regarding this point are:

4. Financial Behavior

  Academic program leaders often manage large budgets. Unless they majored in accounting in college, they may not feel ready for the responsibility of managing millions of dollars. Access and control of fiscal decisions should match the level of financial responsibility that is placed on department leaders. Having readily available account information (budget, expenditures, encumbrances, and available) is vital for department-level decision making.   Specific questions that instructional leadership should ask regarding this point are:

Conclusion

  The work of a Chief Academic Officer and their team of instructional leaders is central to the success of a school district. The mission of their work is to support and improve teaching and learning. The selection of curriculum materials and resources, planned professional learning, and implementation of instructional programs are keys to long-term student and district success. By ensuring they can answer the preceding questions, CAOs will ensure their districts are best serving the needs of their students.How Does K-12 Help Students There is undeniably a challenge that learners face as more young learners drop out of high school without graduating. As parents, instructors, employers, or even learners, it is very significant to understand what an education can do for an individual. Continue reading to learn more about the advantages of K12 education to students.

ADVANTAGES OF K-12 TO THE U.S. EDUCATION SECTOR

PREPARES STUDENTS FOR TERTIARY LEARNING

With the adaptation of the K-12 program, learners are expected to graduate at an age that is a bit older. This would be beneficial to the young adults venturing out into the professional world since they would be much more prepared to deal with the higher level of learning as they join college. With this, they can opt to continue their education to higher forms, which will be another great journey to access crucial learning developments.

READINESS TO JOIN EMPLOYMENT

Benefits Of K12 To Students K-12 can make learners more prepared to join the workforce. K-12 has this advantage because they compel each learner to be enthusiastic about the workforce, and the scheme empowers learners to choose their own. They might or might not pursue a college program, particularly if they have chosen a track other than the academic track. Senior high school learners need not fret if they would like to explore other fields apart from their own since they get to choose electives that can also improve their skills in certain areas that they are interested in.

SKILL COMPETENCY IN THE INTERNATIONAL JOB MARKET

The K-12 education system aims to improve further United States students’ mathematics, science, and social studies skills to exhibit competence in the global job market further. With K-12, the Department of Education promises to provide a higher quality education through the strands. Every track will give the learners adequate time to master a field and enhance their respective industry skills. By the end of the curriculum, K-12 graduates will be ready to become globally competitive and are set to get a spot in the meticulous labor market.

K-12 IS A LEARNER-CENTERED CURRICULUM

K-12 as a learner-centered curriculum can influence the learners to take a more active role in the learning process. With the flexibility and freedom to choose what they will learn, how they will learn, and how they can assess their own learning, this would be a way to train them regarding independence and how to be a reliable team member. Not only will this make learning very interesting and easier for learners, but it will also assist in addressing diverse needs, which comprise special cases and those that come from indigenous populations, which make the K-12 education system very inclusive for every individual.

K-12 FOSTERS GAINFUL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND EMPLOYMENT

K-12 offers more chances for employment and entrepreneurship. Graduates of a K-12 education system can instantly get employment after they receive their certificates and pass competency-based assessments. Conversely, they can set up their own business or further their education in college. All the choices will help every learner improve their professional, skills, and competence characteristics.

THE ROLE OF K-12 TO LEARNERS AND THEIR PARENTS

It’s a sad reality that there are learners who drop out of high school without graduating, leaving them unemployed and at risk of facing difficulties. Students, employers, educators, and parents themselves hold the responsibility of ensuring that this doesn’t happen and that they secure a future for themselves. K-12 plays a vital role for learners and their parents in ensuring that they would be competitive in the workforce and hence generates progressiveness for the whole family in this economy.

LEARN HOW TO SOCIALIZE

It is a given that learning institutions are major agents of socialization. One of the things that young persons who drop out of school can miss out on is being a part of a team with peers who understand and help them. Not to mention that teachers also function as role models and a figure of authority that can keep the behavior and attitude of learners in check. With K-12, they recognize that this is a primary function of studying, and they offer more avenues for learners to socialize. Without the school’s positive influence, an individual can find himself in difficult situations during their socialization process. Social skills are required in a work environment and, basically, in making sure that you have the proper disposition to go through life. Going to school is a crucial part of this process; this is what K-12 aims to foster in the curriculum.

TEACHES RESPECT

School teaches learners to recognize authority figures not out of fear but out of respect. This values the discipline that a learner nurtures, and this will come in handy when they ultimately have authority figures in their future employment. A learner who knows how to respect coaches and school personnel will easily adapt to places of work and in other social aspects of adult life. Knowing respect and discipline by heart is crucial in becoming successful as working adults or even when planning to form a healthy household.

MASTER BASIC SKILLS

Basic skills like writing and reading are the main advantages of K-12 education. Adults who don’t master these skills usually go through a process of learning how to write and read prior to landing a good job, making the situation even more difficult for them. Acquiring basic math skills is also another advantage of a good education—math skills can help people balance their budget, search for the best prices in the market, figure out the best-paying jobs, or how to file taxes correctly. Having a good grasp of these skills all boils down to getting a solid education and having a strong foundation.

OBTAIN GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Learning general knowledge is one of the benefits that you can get from education. The knowledge of literature, science, geography, and history can be exhilarating, and it can greatly enrich one’s life. All that crucial information can have more value than material things since someone who learns can perhaps feel more fulfilled. Additionally, this will keep them in the course of their lives with the constant eagerness to learn new things, which will assist in the person’s progress towards growth. Someone who doesn’t acquire a desire for learning will miss out on discovering the richness of other cultures and lifestyles.

K-12 OFFERS OPTIONS

Getting a K-12 education can open new doors and increase the opportunity of getting a stable job. Learners can get the opportunity to build a network, acquire more skills, and find the career that they certainly love. K-12 can get learners to access all these great opportunities and have fulfillment during this learning experience. Acquiring a K-12 diploma will make students more likely to be hired since employers usually assume that someone who completed the K-12 curriculum has the basic skills necessary for the job, have enough communication skills, can get along with the rest of the group, and follow objectives like they are supposed to. K-12 Education Benefits Lastly, the many benefits of K to 12 education include basic skills like reading, counting, writing, communicating, and interacting with others. Getting this form of education not only helps your chances of landing a respectable job—but also assist you in developing the life skills you will require on your journey towards growth. Having a good education, adapting to the workplace, finding a good career, raising a family, and becoming a stable adult; that sounds like the dream, right? School might be overlooked, but its benefit is unparalleled. As parents or instructors, their roles are just as vital as the learning process that learners get from a classroom; their role is to help the young individuals understand the importance of their school lifestyle. This is why you ought to get the most reliable educational institution that not only provides your teens the highest quality of education but equips them with the values which are crucial for making it in the real world also.5 Benefits of K-12 Education The K-12 education system has witnessed immense development, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the approach to teaching has become more personalized and learner-centric, and the technologies used to enhance the educational experience have taken several leaps forward. These factors have created an education system highly beneficial for students and teachers alike while making the K-12 curriculum more comprehensive with every passing year. This guide will dive into the five key benefits the K-12 education system offers in the 21st century.

5 Major Benefits of K-12 Education 

K12 Education
While the advances in K-12 education offer several benefits, some particularly stand out in making this an effective system of education –

1. Builds a Strong Foundation 

The K-12 system strengthens students’ foundation in crucial subjects and skills, including math, science, language, and social sciences. K-12 education also helps students master basic skills like reading and writing, which are crucial in attaining higher education and the job market. Apart from academic and professional skills, K-12 education motivates students to become independent. Math, for instance, isn’t restricted to textbooks and theory; having a strong foundation in the subject can help students create effective budgets, manage their taxes, and make the right investments. Mastering the basics is required to progress in any subject and build a strong foundation. With new education technologies, teachers can help students practice the necessary skills according to their individual needs so that no student gets left behind.

2. Makes High-Quality Education Accessible to All 

Another crucial benefit of advances in K-12 education is that it makes education more accessible. Students often face various financial, logistical, or health-related constraints that prevent them from accessing the classroom. Since the pandemic, the K-12 system has ensured that students all over the US can access good-quality education. Alongside several curriculum developments, students with disabilities can now access screen reader-friendly E-learning websites to make the most of their K-12 education. While this field requires more attention and action, with E-learning going online, you’ll be surprised to know that the market for the K-12 education sector is set to grow to $60.03 billion by 2023. With such immense growth, there will be a far greater emphasis on ensuring that education is made more accessible and that investments in the education sector grow significantly.

3. Helps Master Social Skills 

K-12 education is significant for social development. By interacting with each other socially, students develop strong collaboration and communication skills that will help them in the future. Students also engage with each other intellectually and can network to create space for themselves in an increasingly competitive job market. Interacting with other students and teachers also helps younger students discover role models to look up to and learn from. Greater access to the internet has increased connectivity and the opportunity to network with those around you. Not being able to communicate your needs or strengths with others can lead to difficulties in your career and higher education settings, reinforcing the need for strong social skills. Innovative K-12 curricula have been able to foster collaboration. For example, a new form of learning known as three-dimensional classes tasks students to collaborate on building models or completing puzzles. To succeed, students must combine their strengths and learnings and work together to find a solution.

4. Helps Become Technologically Proficient 

The increased penetration of technology in our day-to-day lives and its role in the professional sphere make it crucial that students finish their K-12 education with the ability to adapt to new technologies. Technology offers access to information and knowledge and presents the opportunity to learn new skills. For instance, the news industry has seen several changes over the years. Earlier, one could get away with being a good writer while being accompanied by a camera person to handle the videography. However, today, graduates entering the industry are expected to be able to write, speak well, record their piece-to-cameras, and edit them. K-12 education is already making progress in preparing its students for the future. For example, 58% of participants in a survey confessed that they feel more confident about technology in education and online tools than ever before.

5. Prepares Students for A Competitive International Job Market

Lastly, a good education in the K-12 system prepares students for a competitive job market. The skills that one learns, along with the focus on creativity, innovation, and free-thinking, make for students who can offer something of value wherever they go, with the acumen to succeed at something new. Furthermore, the diverse student body aids students in learning to interact better with people from all walks of life, further strengthening the much-needed collaborative skills employers look for these days. High school graduates of the K-12 system are also equipped to learn new skills and pick up new concepts should they change their career path from the electives they chose while in school. Along with the fact that an education in the K-12 system is highly recognized and opens many doors in the market, it gives students the environment they need to succeed in their professional careers.

In Conclusion

Education is more than memorizing concepts and passing examinations. A good education equips students with critical thinking, collaborative, and technological skills needed to deal with all aspects of life, from their finances and career to their social lives and personal well-being. The benefits of an education in the K-12 system are many, as you can see from the points mentioned above. More students are expected to reap these benefits as schools and governments invest more in the system and up-to-date technologies. Here are some of the best K-12 companies investing in their students’ growth.Last month, we wrote about how newly released 2018 SBAC test score data show that student growth in math has been insufficient to keep pace with grade-level proficiency standards. And though student growth in math proficiency is accelerating, racial disparities are widening as students progress through school. The picture is somewhat more promising for English. Growth in English test scores generally outpaced the state standards—meaning more students were gaining mastery of English than in prior years. Moreover, the growth in 2018 English scores was much higher than in 2017. The figure below shows the growth in English test scores from grade to grade—how last year’s third graders performed in fourth grade, and so on—relative to the growth in the score required for proficiency in each grade. A growth rate of greater than 100% indicates that average student progress is outpacing what is expected by the standards, while growth of less than 100% suggests progress is not keeping pace with standards. Across all grades, growth in average student test scores outpaced growth in grade-level proficiency standards. This year’s 5th graders showed particular improvement, with average growth outpacing the standards by 40%. In other words, many more 5th graders are meeting standards in English than they were last year in 4th grade (49.4% vs 45.1% to be exact). But in most grades, racial disparities in English achievement are still growing with each grade progression: the scores of African American and Latino students grew less than the average student’s scores. However, the pattern is reversed in between grades 7 and 8, where African American and Latino scores grew more than average, reducing these disparities somewhat. In addition, the disparities in English score growth are notably smaller than the disparities in math. We also see improvements when we compare growth rates between 2017 and 2018. Growth in grades 4 to 7 accelerated considerably in 2018—for example, among Latino sixth graders, English test scores improved a little over 25% more than the scores of their counterparts in 2017—though growth in grade 8 was slightly slower compared to 2017. African American student progress was especially noteworthy, with growth improving more than the average student across four of five grades. While the previous figure shows that achievement gaps still grow slightly as students progress through school, these gaps in growth are small and shrinking. Looking at the grade-to-grade growth of the same cohorts of students provides a lens to examine whether students are keeping up with grade-level expectations, and whether achievement gaps are shrinking or growing as students advance through school. These findings generate hope that recent reforms are bearing fruit, but there is yet more work to be done. Despite progress in 2018, just under half of our students in grades 3–8 and 11 are proficient at their grade level in English, and less than 40% are in math. Sustaining and improving on this growth will be key to addressing these shortcomings in student achievement.
MICHAEL KIRBY SMITH/REDUX
The United States bests almost every country in the world in many areas, but when it comes to educational achievement, American students are just plain mediocre. According to the 2012 results of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) — a test of critical thinking administered every three years to about half a million 15-year-olds around the globe — U.S. students are lagging behind those in many other countries, including China, Finland and Korea, in math, reading and science.
PISA scores aren’t the only measure of an educational system, but most experts agree that American schools are in need of a major overhaul. The question is: What kinds of reforms will result in lasting, meaningful changes?

1. Invest in Training Teachers — and Their Bosses

The quality of a child’s teacher is extremely important to success. “As a nation, we haven’t invested in the training of our educators like we have in the training of our doctors and our lawyers. Even the best education program is going to produce a novice teacher,” Steve Fink, executive director of the Center for Educational Leadership at the University of Washington says.
We also need to improve the quality of our school and district leaders. At the Center for Educational Leadership, says Fink, “We work with teachers to improve their teaching, while simultaneously working with the school principals to help them learn how to support teachers, and simultaneously working with district leaders, superintendents and central office leaders to teach them how to support principals.”

2. Don’t Focus on Punishing Bad Teachers. Learn How to Make Good Ones Instead

You can’t hold people accountable for things they don’t know how to do. “Accountability only works if we actually help people learn and grow and teach them what they need to know in order to be held accountable. Instead we are doing the opposite,” says Fink. “We throw high-stakes testing at kids, and when test results are great, we give teachers more money. When they’re bad, we punish them and sanction them, and close down [schools]. … There’s literally zero research to support that any of these policies actually work.”
So what does work? That’s harder to say. “It’s not attributable to years of experience or what kind of degrees the teachers have… but identifying teachers’ individual strengths and weaknesses and trying to help them get better, is promising,” says Laura Hamilton, a senior behavioral scientist at the RAND Corporation, a federally funded think tank.

3. Modernize the Teacher’s Job

No teacher is an island. And yet in the traditional education model, each teacher works alone, isolated in his or her own classroom without adequate communication or support from the school — or from peers. This is “really a factory-style model,” says Lynette Guastaferro, executive director of Teaching Matters, a nonprofit advocacy group in New York City. Schools should identify who their best, most effective teachers are and then empower them to lead and help train other teachers. “What this does is two things,” says Guastaferro. “It helps solve the problem of [teacher] retention and it helps to reduce isolation, allowing [teachers] to problem-solve together.”

4. Think in Terms of Tradeoffs, Not Absolutes

The common wisdom is that children learn better in smaller classes than in big ones. But reducing class size is expensive — you need more teachers and classrooms. Here’s another costly measure: extending the school year. Yet we also know that over summer vacation, kids from poor families fall behind because they’re not engaged in the kinds of enriching activities that kids from affluent families are.
Few public school systems have the money to extend both the school year and shrink class size. “So I did a little thought experiment,” says Matt Chingos, a fellow in the Brown Center on Education Policy at the Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C.-based research group. “What if we wanted to extend the school year … [and] compensated for that by making classrooms a little bigger?” What you find is that the “positive effect of spending more days in school is larger than the negative effect of having larger classes. It’s important to think about these tradeoffs,” he says.

5. Let Kids Learn at Their Own Pace

Schools have been hot to adopt all kinds of new technologies many of which have had a limited effect on student achievement, says RAND’s Laura Hamilton. But one especially promising strategy involves using adaptive learning programs to tailor instruction to each student — that is, “breaking away from the traditional classroom model where one teacher tells 25 kids to do the same things at the same time,” Hamilton says.
This allow kids to work at their own pace and set their own goals. It also lets teachers give more focused attention to smaller groups — while other groups work independently — instead of teaching the whole class at once.

6. Get Families Involved Early

A substantial amount of research suggests that early childhood education, when done well, may be key to kids’ achievement in the long-term. “Some of the programs that have been successful are those that include some sort of a family outreach component, so it’s not just getting the kids to the program for several hours a day, it’s involving the parents and other family members, so they are contributing to kids learning,” says Hamilton. “I think kids can benefit from that all the way through high school.”

7. Address the Issue of Poverty

Where you live often prescribes your destiny when it comes to public education. Which is why we end up with disproportionate numbers of poor kids in certain schools and wealthy ones in others. “I think there’s this argument in education: It’s poverty or it’s teacher quality. It’s actually both,” says Lynette Guastaferro of Teaching Matters. “At some point we have to address this issue of the concentration of poor kids, because that issue has gotten radically worse over the last 30 years. Until we solve that, we’ll only be filling the glass halfway.”
effective financial management in schools Managing school district finances effectively requires a complicated series of day-to-day, monthly, and annual tasks administered by finance officers at the district level. From creating and balancing budgets, to managing contracts, paying vendors, and maintaining assets, all functions are geared toward aligning desired student outcomes with available resources. In many states, schools are forced to meet rising academic standards with inadequate or declining funding. Michigan schools, for example, have seen total revenues decline by 30% since 2002. Maintaining a well-performing K-12 school system that meets 21st century needs with limited resources requires effective financial management.

Challenging Times Necessitate a Systematic Approach

School finances are closely tied to both public policy and student achievement. School funding is a concern in the current climate of economic uncertainty. With per-pupil allocations and revenue-raising tax system fluctuations, it is necessary to keep pace with decisions affecting school funding. Declines in enrollment and revenue alongside aging facilities strain school districts to operate more efficiently. During these challenging economic times, effective school finance officers can leverage the following strategies to support a systematic approach.

Strategy #1: Monitor data, public policy, and legislation continuously

These include student demographic and achievement data, enrollment trends, financial reviews, state funding formulas, etc. Since district finances are closely tied to enrollment and per-pupil funding allowances, recognizing and analyzing trends allows school finance officers to make data-driven decisions, proactively create projections, and anticipate impending challenges.

Strategy #2: Create a strategic three to five year plan

By focusing on student learning outcomes, stakeholders create a three to five year strategic plan. This long-term plan is then broken down into implementation plans with actions steps that guide the budgeting process. In partnership with instructional staff, finance leaders ensure that annual budgets are carefully aligned to district goals.

Strategy #3: Minimize unnecessary administrative costs

Consider hidden costs, locate inefficiencies, and rethink outdated processes. By keeping administrative costs under control, districts can ensure that funds are allocated where they should be: in the classroom. Investigate the indirect and soft costs related to district operations.

Strategy #4: Manage district assets appropriately

Anticipate capital expenditures and minimize maintenance costs. By working closely with facilities administrators and staff, school finance officers can plan appropriately and in advance.

Strategy #5: Operate with transparency and accountability

Establish and maintain public trust. Tailoring communications to various groups allows school finance officers to collaborate effectively with school board members, administrators, academic leaders, and community members. Engaging these stakeholders in long-term planning increases buy-in and confidence, building support for the strategic goals.

Strategy #6: Review cost containment strategies

Take a look at cost containment relative to consolidation and contracting school support services. Even as school districts strive to improve student outcomes with rigorous standards and new technologies, it is possible to improve business practices by refining operational processes. Academic return on investment should always be a top priority.

Examining Support Services

School districts perform a wide variety of services that may include meals, transportation, and communications on top of their primary mission of instruction. In addition, there are numerous administrative duties involved in the provision of these services. To remain viable and competitive in the current market, school districts must be fiscally responsible. Contracting services where appropriate can improve quality, reduce costs, or both. School finances support and enable the district’s educational initiatives, as instructional goals drive the budget. The strategic use of outside contractors and staffing agencies can add value to a district’s spending. Personnel costs, a dominant feature of school district budgets, are largely controlled at the local level. The staffing of substitute teaching personnel is a budgetary line item that warrants consideration.

Accessing Innovative and Cost-saving Solutions

Effective financial management means thinking outside the box and looking outside the district. Accessing specialized and innovative solutions can impact the bottom line. A staffing agency that increases fill-rate for substitute teachers promises an academic return on investment. With substitute teachers filling in for inevitable teacher absences, this budget line supports the strategic plan and helps to maintain instructional momentum. Quality substitutes trained to support the district’s instructional goals and educational initiatives add value to the school day. A full-service K-12 educational staffing agency that manages the hiring, background checks, and credentialing of a substitute pool relieves the district’s human resource department of the time and money required. When that agency also handles the training, scheduling, and reporting functions of managing that talent pool, the savings continue to grow. Add in the soft cost savings that include insurance, administration, payroll, and documentation, and contracting substitute staffing and management from an experienced education staffing company like ESS becomes a choice that can both improve instructional quality and keep costs down.5 Questions to Ask Before Enrolling in an Online Bachelor’s Degree Program

Online Bachelor’s Degree Program Questions

Earning an online Bachelor’s degree can be as intellectually satisfying as completing a degree in a physical University. This Bachelor’s degree can serve as the ticket to future success in the workplace or further study in a graduate program. Before enrolling in an online program, there are several key questions that the prospective student should consider.

Is the School Accredited?

Possibly the most important first step a student will take when considering enrollment in an online school is to verify its accreditation. Do not merely simply research reviews of the school online; affirm that the school is nationally or regionally accredited by an accepted governing body such as The Council for Higher Education Accreditation. While advantages and disadvantages exist with each type of accreditation, you are wasting your time and money (before taking a single test) if the school is an unaccredited diploma mill.

How Long Does it Take To Complete a Bachelor’s Degree Online?

In a traditional University, the undergraduate usually earns their degree within four years. Online colleges can offer greater flexibility by allowing students to take more credit hours or by offering accelerated programs in some courses of study. This can cut down the time it takes to earn a Bachelor’s degree by a year or more, but the student must then devote more time to their studies. Remember also that even online colleges require that undergraduates complete their online Bachelor’s degree program within a fixed period of time.

Can I Transfer Existing Credits to an Online Degree Program?

This is an important question because it might save you having to retake courses if you started your degree at a physical University. Virtually all online colleges accept existing credits provided these were earned at an accredited school. Often these credits will need to have been earned within a recent span of time to be considered valid. Moreover, most colleges will only accept only C grades or higher for transfer. A good online college will have a transfer advisor who can authoritatively answer any questions students may have prior to enrolling.

How is Course Content Delivered and When Might I Have to Meet with Instructors and Peers?

Contrary to a persistent belief, online courses are not limited to webpages, PDF documents, and video lectures. Many courses deliver content via custom-designed platforms designed to foster interactive communication between the instructor and students as if both were present in a physical classroom. Moreover, some degree programs require an in-person component in which the student is expected to meet with an instructor one or more times over the length of the course. Nursing and Health Care degrees often include such elements. Prior to enrolling, research what instruction methods your online bachelor’s degree favors.

What is the Difference Between Bachelors’ Degree Awarded by a Brick-and-Mortar University and one Awarded by an Online School ?

A Bachelor’s degree awarded by a physical University and one awarded by accredited online schools such as the University of Phoenix carry the same weight. While online schools have garnered increasing respect in the eyes of employers and graduate schools, an important caveat remains. The prospective student should thoroughly investigate the school’s degree requirements. Earning an Online Bachelor’s Degree requirements should include the amount of credit hours required, the courses needed to meet this requirement, and the order in which this course of study should occur. The school’s literature must state clearly these requirements. If degree requirements seem hazy or require payment in advance, this final degree will carry little worth. Students now have more options than ever in pursuing an online Bachelor’s degree. Virtual universities abound and the options for study are plentiful. Ensure that you “do your homework” prior to committing to pursuing that degree.Advantages And Disadvantages Of Online Learning

Discover Everything You Need To Know (Good And Bad) About  Online Education

One of the most oft-used terms after the pandemic is the term “new normal.” The new normal in education is the increased use of online learning tools. The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered new ways of learning. All around the world, educational institutions are looking toward online learning platforms to continue with the process of educating students. The new normal now is a transformed concept of education with online learning at the core of this transformation. Today, digital learning has emerged as a necessary resource for students and schools all over the world. For many educational institutes, this is an entirely new way of education that they have had to adopt. Online learning is now applicable not just to learn academics but it also extends to learning extracurricular activities for students as well. In recent months, the demand for online learning has risen significantly, and it will continue doing so in the future.

As with most teaching methods, online learning also has its own set of positives and negatives. Decoding and understanding these positives and negatives will help institutes in creating strategies for more efficiently delivering the lessons, ensuring an uninterrupted learning journey for students.

What Are The Advantages Of Online Learning?

1. Efficiency

Online learning offers teachers an efficient way to deliver lessons to students. Online learning has a number of tools such as videos, PDFs, podcasts, and teachers can use all these tools as part of their lesson plans. By extending the lesson plan beyond traditional textbooks to include online resources, teachers are able to become more efficient educators.

2. Accessibility Of Time And Place

Another advantage of online education is that it allows students to attend classes from any location of their choice. It also allows schools to reach out to a more extensive network of students, instead of being restricted by geographical boundaries. Additionally, online lectures can be recorded, archived, and shared for future reference. This allows students to access the learning material at a time of their comfort.

Thus, online learning offers students the accessibility of time and place in education.

3. Affordability 

Another advantage of online learning is reduced financial costs. Online education is far more affordable as compared to physical learning. This is because online learning eliminates the cost points of student transportation, student meals, and most importantly, real estate. Additionally, all the course or study materials are available online, thus creating a paperless learning environment which is more affordable, while also being beneficial to the environment.

4. Improved Student Attendance  

Since online classes can be taken from home or location of choice, there are fewer chances of students missing out on lessons.

5. Suits A Variety Of Learning Styles 

Every student has a different learning journey and a different learning style. Some students are visual learners, while some students prefer to learn through audio. Similarly, some students thrive in the classroom, and other students are solo learners who get distracted by large groups.

The online learning system, with its range of options and resources, can be personalized in many ways. It is the best way to create a perfect learning environment suited to the needs of each student.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Online Learning?

1. Inability To Focus On Screens

For many students, one of the biggest challenges of online learning is the struggle with focusing on the screen for long periods of time. With online learning, there is also a greater chance for students to be easily distracted by social media or other sites. Therefore, it is imperative for the teachers to keep their online classes crisp, engaging, and interactive to help students stay focused on the lesson.

2. Technology Issues 

Another key challenge of online classes is internet connectivity. While internet penetration has grown in leaps and bounds over the past few years, in smaller cities and towns, a consistent connection with decent speed is a problem. Without a consistent internet connection for students or teachers, there can be a lack of continuity in learning for the child. This is detrimental to the education process.

3. Sense Of Isolation 

Students can learn a lot from being in the company of their peers. However, in an online class, there are minimal physical interactions between students and teachers. This often results in a sense of isolation for the students. In this situation, it is imperative that the school allow for other forms of communication between the students, peers, and teachers. This can include online messages, emails and video conferencing that will allow for face-to-face interaction and reduce the sense of isolation.

4. Teacher Training 

Online learning requires teachers to have a basic understanding of using digital forms of learning. However, this is not the case always. Very often, teachers have a very basic understanding of technology. Sometimes, they don’t even have the necessary resources and tools to conducts online classes.

To combat this, it is important for schools to invest in training teachers with the latest technology updates so that they can conduct their online classes seamlessly.

5. Manage Screen Time

Many parents are concerned about the health hazards of having their children spend so many hours staring at a screen. This increase in screen time is one of the biggest concerns and disadvantages of online learning. Sometimes students also develop bad posture and other physical problems due to staying hunched in front of a screen.

A good solution to this would be to give the students plenty of breaks from the screen to refresh their mind and their body.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a drastic shift in our daily lives. Not only do we have to pull back on education and live with minimal human contact but our student lives have also been flipped upside down as we deviate from traditional classrooms and adapt to computer screens full of grey boxes with nothing but our roll numbers and names on them. The past several months have been an arduous test of our strength. Across the globe, schools and colleges have transitioned to an online teaching-learning mode to combat the new challenges the pandemic brought out. It’s a known fact that nothing can beat face-to-face discussions and participation in the classroom. The move towards online learning, however, has been a challenge for everyone. If you’re concerned about this transition to the virtual classroom, you are not alone. Online classes are not easy, but you can rise to the occasion by implementing some of these tips:

Practice Time Management

You can easily find yourself cramming before exams and stressing out without strong time management abilities. Set a routine to keep you focused and stick with it. Make a weekly schedule the day before the start of the new week and break it up during the week so that you know what to finish regularly. Review materials in small, divided portions; cramming or getting everything done at the last minute never did any good.

Take Notes

Take notes by writing down important points. Not only would it make you more attentive in class, but it also makes it easier to absorb the pointers pertinent to the lesson.

Ask Questions

Ask questions in class; awaken the curious cat in you. Nothing is worse than convincing yourself that you will eventually learn the subject and find out a week later that you still fail to understand the topic. When in doubt, seek it out. The professors are there to help you out.

Stay Healthy

Stay healthy! Our brain can only work to its fullest if our body is in good shape. Have regular breaks involving exercise and fresh air. Eat healthily and keep yourself hydrated. Taking frequent breaks to stretch your arms and legs can do wonders, especially when idle all day in front of a screen. Having proper sleep is a necessity. When the brain is asleep, the mind can think clearly. Remember to spend some time with family and friends. Balance is key.

Treat an online class as a real class

When it comes to online classes, one needs to have the discipline to sit down and the dedication to show up to get the real value out of the lesson. Treat your online class the same way you would a physical one.

Resist Social Media

Online classes can get tedious and boring; social media tempts us with an escape from reality. However, it is not always a wise choice. Logging out of all social media accounts, turning off the TV, and placing yourself at the table with your computer so that nothing else gets your attention may be your best chance at getting that O grade.

Eliminate Distractions

When you don’t see your home as a space for studying, find a quiet spot in your house free of distractions and diversions. To get in the mindset and pay your full attention in an online class; discuss this zone and your class timings with your family and friends to make them understand that your time and focus is essential for your academic success.

Stay Organised

Studying at a desk instead of the bed, for instance, will not only improve your concentration but will also create a classroom-like environment. Keep your pens, notebooks, books, and all the things you might require on the table so that you don’t need to get up for anything which could lead your attention elsewhere.

 Beat Deadlines

Most of the students find themselves struggling or panicking on the day an assignment is due. Try setting a personal deadline; it would give you ample time to review your assignment, check for errors, and graciously grant a day of rest right before the due date.

Reward Yourself

Last but not least: reward yourself! Reward yourself by watching a movie, listening to your favourite music, or indulging in that bowl of ice-cream when you perform well in a test or get a good grade on your assignment. It’s always easier to motivate ourselves when we know something is waiting for us at the finish line.There is no denying that the digital age is well and truly upon us, and with it comes a whole host of exciting and revolutionary ways for us to live our lives. One of the most beneficial developments the digital age is having on the education sector is the expansion of ‘self-paced learning’. What is ‘self-paced learning’, I hear you ask? Well, the phrase does exactly what it says on the tin. It is essentially where students can decide on the pace and timing of their learning experience. These learning experiences are often fully automated and supplied via an online e-learning platform or website.

Does it actually work?

Believe it or not, self-paced learning has proven to be very beneficial for students. In fact, research has even found that e-learning increases learning retention rates by 25% to 60%. This is a stark contrast to the learning retention rates when students are taught face to face, which was only 8% to 10%. So, with self-paced learning, students have more control over the whole learning process and more flexibility, which gives you the freedom to balance your education with employment and family life. By having the opportunity to complete your coursework at a pace that is right for you while building skills step–by step, you give yourself the very best chance of success.

It is not scary, promise!

The prospect of online learning can be scary for some people, especially if you are not well versed in technology and computers. However, the benefits of working at times that suit you are far greater than having to learn on a rigid schedule. At Pitman, we ensure our self-paced learning courses involve a learning coach, which provides students access to useful feedback and support whenever and wherever you choose to learn.  

Self-paced learning suits your busy schedule, but how?

Self-paced learning is perfect for anyone with a busy work schedule or hectic family life. It allows you to fit your learning in pockets of the day that suit you. Learning at your own pace can mean a lot more than just being able to study at night or after work.   When learning in the classroom, it is not uncommon for some individuals to become lost and disillusioned with the course. By learning at your own pace, you can determine how long your course will take you to complete. So, if you find everything easy, you can work through the course quickly. If you are struggling, then you can take your time. The choice is yours. With self-paced training, you can also work it into your schedule wherever it works best. For example, self-paced learning is also ideal if you are looking to take a couple of weeks off because you can put your course on the back-burner and return to it when you are ready.
  1. Fewer distractions A self-paced course allows students to focus in an environment and at a time that suits them best. For example, if you are taking a course to boost your skills for work, then you can sit in the office and pick a time in the day when you will have the fewest interruptions from colleagues or other tasks. If you are a full-time parent, you can sit down with a coffee for a couple of hours when the kids are at school or asleep. Of course, it takes a lot of self-discipline to do this, and you will need to tune out distractions at home and ignore your phone, but the benefits of achieving a diploma will make it all worthwhile.
  2. Suits different learning styles There is no denying that people have different learning styles. Some people are more visual, some people like to hear things out loud, some people prefer to read information and others are kinaesthetic learners (more hands-on). Learning at your own pace allows you to learn in a way that suits you, in a comfortable environment. Self-paced learning also gives people who prefer to complete the material quickly the opportunity to do so.
  3. Less pressure equals more retention Self-paced learning removes the time pressure that exists during live training. There is no pressure to complete the assignments and learn at the same speed as others. No one needs to pretend that they understood something that they did not. Instead, they can review the material on their own. Self-pacing can improve memory performance, particularly when the learner allocates more time to the material they personally find more complex. Also, if you are someone who prefers reinforcing your learning by looking at something over and over, then self-paced learning is perfect for you. It is often the case that if you learn something and you do not have the opportunity to practise, eventually you are going to lose it. So, reinforcing your learning by reusing your learning materials is a great way to help you retain information.

Why not get in touch?

At KPK12, our courses allow you to train anytime, full time or part time. We do not have rigid course timetables with fixed terms, which means training can fit around your work and home lives. Not only do we offer a self-study programme that allows you to learn at your own pace, but we also provide support and encouragement from our friendly learning coaches, so you are never alone on your learning journey. So, why not contact your local Pitman Training provider to develop your skills today?
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