Journal 1

Journal 1
coyle, s, jones, t, & pickle, s. (2009). E-learning comes in all shapes and sizes. Learning & Leading with Technology, 37(2), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092010/SeptemberOctoberNo2/e_Learning_Programs_Come_in_All_Shapes_a.htm

This article detailed briefly three school systems that use technology to expand access to students. The first school system is based in Alaska where terrain provides physical challenges to teachers and students across the region. The Yukon-Koyukuk School District contains seven schools that are only accessible by small aircraft. The school district needed to add satellite communication systems because of the terrain. The district also went outside of the state using a “highly qualified” math teacher from Wisconsin to provide instruction to students. Their efforts have paid off with an increase in test scores and cutting the number of “nonimproving” schools from four to two.
Arkansas has also implemented distance learning to provide “highly qualified” instruction to their students. A lack of “highly qualified” teachers spurred the state to embrace distance learning. The program has grown from seven teachers in 2001 to twenty-five teachers in 2008. They offer all of the state required courses except music and physical education.
The final system of the article is the Baltimore County Public Schools. The courses, many of them AP level have grown from twenty-six in 2004 to 139 in 2008. Some of the students even took a class offered by Stanford University.

What affect could e-Learning have on students with disabilities?
I think there could be a huge affect on these students and their parents. I think it would allow students who do not work well in a typical high school setting the chance to learn at their own pace and in their own place. I think it would also give the parents a chance to take an active role in their child’s education. It would allow the parents a chance to see how their student really worked and what they really knew.

What is slowing down the expansion of e-Learning opportunities?
Right now the economy is playing the largest role. I also think that change is tough to come by on a voluntary basis. Parents are used to the system they grew up with and expect the children to have the same experience.