The Evolution of Distance Education: Implications for Instructional Design on the Potential of the Web

Editorial: Reimagining schools: The potential of virtual education

“…Without an informed research base and proactive thinking, educators and policymakers will too easily fall back on models that have guided brick and mortar schools for decades (Huett et al, 2008). Allowing policies to develop in this way will thwart the development of sound virtual education practices.…”

“…Teacher education programmes, recognised university leaders and accrediting agencies must be proactive and demand that specific curriculum content, methodologies and internships all address the field of virtual education in the teacher preparation experience. A re-examination of current policies and activities regarding teacher education, in concert with research on best practices in other countries, is necessary to produce properly prepared K-12 virtual education teachers (Huett et al, 2008). Such a national agenda should assist the states in developing their own K-12 virtual education programmes (DiPietro, 2010;Huett et al, 2008).…”

“…Virtual education is quickly transforming K-12 education, and current forecasts indicate that as many as half of all secondary school courses will be offered in virtual schools by the end of the decade (Mincberg, 2010). In fact, in an overview of the evolution of the field, Huett, Moller, Foshay and Coleman (2008) called virtual education the 'single most important reorganization of how we will engage learners since we started to gather students together in school buildings (pp. 65-66).…”

“…2009; Barbour, 2010;Cavanaugh & Clark, 2007;DiPietro, 2010;Huett et al, 2008;Smith, 2007). Current research on virtual education uses questionable methodology, often stems from face-to-face findings based on the anecdotal personal experience of teachers found in unpublished dissertations and focuses primarily on a post-secondary audience (Cavanaugh, Barbour & Clark, 2009;Smith, 2007;U.S.…”

“…Such research could include the role that mobile devices, informal learning and the use of social media might have on virtual learning (Halverson & Smith, 2009). Research in these areas will assist instructional designers and teachers in adopting best practices, as well as informing policy decisions at the state and national levels (Huett et al, 2008;Smith, 2007).…”