An Introduction to Online Learning

What are the benefits of online learning for current or prospective superintendents?

Solve real problems.
Online courses emphasize real-world problem solving over theoretical exploration. In fact, our online learning philosophy is “just in time versus just in case.” What does this mean? Traditional professional development aims to increase your skill repertoire, “just in case” you ever need to use a particular skill set. Unfortunately, by the time those skills become relevant, your professional development training may be a distant memory. In contrast, effective online learning uses a “just-in-time” model, guiding you to solve the problems that confront you in the work you do today.

Collaborate with colleagues, subordinates, and superiors.
Isolation from one another is a persistent problem in the field of education. Online learning can break down these barriers by facilitating communication and collaboration within a district. When district-office employees share an online learning experience with school-based teachers and administrators, each gains a better understanding of the others’ perspectives, and educators can share and disseminate best practices. Simultaneously, district leaders can identify motivated educators who demonstrate leadership potential.

Bridge the gaps among policy, theory, and practice.
In both academic and professional development contexts, the connections among Department of Education regulations, educational research, and classroom realities are tenuous at best. However, online learning uses educational research to help educators bring their districts into alignment with government policy regulations. With their emphasis on “just in time,” problem-solving education, online courses give educators the research and policy knowledge they need to make practical, sensible decisions for their districts.

Work on your own time.
For those who must often attend meetings or public events, it’s almost impossible to make time for supplemental professional development training. Online learning circumvents that hurdle by letting you log on and do work at a time that is convenient for you. For busy education leaders, the optimal online course will also let you integrate your coursework with your duties on the job. That means you may want to carve out a slice of your workday to do job-related coursework. If you prefer to study at home instead, online coursework can be completed early in the morning, or later in the evening after the dishes are washed and the kids have gone to bed.

Pace yourself.
Online courses run for 6-8 weeks, with weekly assignments and definitive project deadlines. Yet your access to course materials on the web lets you set your own pace within the general course framework. You have the flexibility to study weekly lessons ahead of schedule or to go back and reviews lessons about concepts you may have forgotten.

Share your perspective.
In an online course, all participants’ ideas can be heard and considered, whereas in a traditional professional development session, there are time constraints on the number of participants who can share their thoughts. Online courses typically offer synchronous and asynchronous discussions (chats and message boards), which ensure that everyone can contribute. Sharing perspectives is valuable in any course, but it’s even more essential in a class geared toward working professionals, where each student carries a wealth of professional experience from which others can learn.

Break down geographic learning barriers.
Online courses let you share the learning experience with professionals whose backgrounds and experiences in education vary widely. In city or district-based professional development training, participants may bring assumptions similar to your own. In contrast, the geographic diversity of your fellow online learners can expose you to perspectives and solutions you might not have considered.

Hone your written communication skills.
Online learning helps you practice communicating complex ideas clearly and succinctly to an audience. Classmates and instructors offer helpful feedback on your discussion comments and papers, so you’ll know how well your message is being received. Best of all, you receive this feedback in a safe learning environment, where it’s okay to rethink and refine the message until you and your audience are satisfied.

Gain first-hand knowledge of a fast-growing educational industry.
Superintendents and other district leaders need to be on the front lines of changes in their field. Online technology has already had an enormous impact on how people do business, and it’s gradually reshaping how people in schools gather information, collaborate, and communicate. Understanding the experience and tools of online learning will make you a more informed leader in both traditional and technologically innovative education settings.

Share and monitor your employees’ learning experiences.
For superintendents who are eager to identify future leaders in their districts, sharing the online learning experience with subordinates can be invaluable. Not only does the shared experience foster collaborative problem solving within the district, but it also helps superintendents identify those who are poised to make outstanding contributions to the district in the future.