The Places You Learn

Online education is under attack. How can teachers possibly teach a young person via the internet? Is learning and teaching online truly just a hoax perpetrated by those who stand to benefit from the buy-in?

My answer is a resounding "no." Online learning should not be trivialized or dismissed. I have spent the past 15 years deeply involved in online teaching--the structure, pathways, best practices, curriculum design, and individual commitment. The journey has been hard work, as difficult as working the many years before that in a brick and mortar school. No, more difficult since this has been the "road less traveled" and the pathway emerged as we moved forward. Insuring a quality education for students of all ages and a satisfying growing experience for educators has taken daily commitment to excellence. I have spoken to thousands upon thousands of parents, students, teachers, and administrators as we all have been committed to make online learning the best it can be.

I take seriously my responsibility to students. I am a daily motivator, cheering the successes and shoring up the failures. Just as my peers in brick and mortar schools do, I research each student and each pathway so I can offer individualized approaches for personal student improvement. Online educators are persistent, working daily to not let students hide or fall through the cracks. If that means calling a student and leaving messages three or four times a day, then that is what happens. And we watch the student's progress from behind the computer screen and database systems, offer generous feedback, and redirect efforts to successful completion.

I have heard the criticism that online teachers simply can't guarantee learning. Having spent considerable time both online and in-person, I am not so sure a brick and mortar teacher can guarantee learning either. I was never proud of the students whose bodies were in my physical classroom but whose minds were never engaged in the work. I cared about every student, but was continually frustrated by the ones who lacked motivation, commitment, and connection. I offered no small measure of creativity and personal engagement for my students and still, students failed.

It is difficult to swallow the criticism concerning the value of online education. If you haven't been the teacher or administrator or senator who is watching and working to craft a strong, 21st Century schooling alternative, then you shouldn't have an opinion. I have spent a lifetime watching educational wheels turn very slowly, always wrapping back to the same place in the same way. Yes, virtual education is different. It is innovative, expects more of students and guardians, and works persistently to qualify and analyze outcomes and objectives. Virtual education expects much of everyone and actively integrates every modern advantage given to us while developing many for the world to use.

Online education is not going away. Just like the Internet, Gaming, Coding, and all things technology-based continue to be enhanced and grow, I don't see online schools being dismantled and closeted out of ignorance or fear. Rather, I see a positive explosion of adaptations and new technology to meet each person exactly where he or she needs to be. I am excited and involved moving forward with no intent to deceive or shortchange. Learning is my passion; online learning is my arena.

It's Here!

The advance copy of Jon Gordon's The Power of Positive Leadership has arrived and the reading marathon and study have begun. As the rest of Gordon's books, this one could be a quick read but it is far better to take your time, study, and savor the wisdom found within. Or better yet, consider a wraparound approach: read it through as quickly as you can to quench the excitement, then open that first chapter and begin the stroll. Stop often along the path. Highlight, underline, and note the quotes that speak to you and your position, then share the words with those you lead. As Jon Gordon tells us, it is "the leader who drives the culture, who creates a positive culture...energizing and encouraging people." (p 16) Stay tuned - there is so much more to learn and celebrate in this book. Gordon always delivers!

The Power of Positive Leadership is now my traveling companion

A New Book from Jon Gordon