The cheating scandal plaguing the Atlanta Public Schools system is yet another black eye in Georgia’s dismal education record. As interim Superintendent Erroll Davis moves forward in the pursuit of justice and accountability, it is time for Atlantans — and all Georgians — to move forward and ask how we can improve our public schools.
What makes for a successful education system is a complex issue, and while there are no silver bullets, there are measures that can improve the quality of education. One such measure is the development of digital learning.
Many schools using the digital-learning approach are accredited, public k-12 schools. These schools come in a range of forms, from hybrid models where time is split between working on computers and studying with teachers to home-centered learning. There are also organizations developing computer-based material to supplement both traditional and digital teaching. One notable example is Khan Academy, which uses colorful videos to explain a huge list of subjects ranging from fractions to “oxidative phosphorlyation and chemiosmosis.”
Digital education may seem like the latest fad in education, and there is no doubt that students have suffered from many well-intentioned but counterproductive educational trends. Is digital learning destined to become the latest of these?
There are several reasons suggesting “no.” Most importantly, there are digital-learning schools that have shown impressive results, such as Carpe Diem, a hybrid school in Yuma, Ariz., and Florida Virtual School. Carpe Diem serves primarily low-income students and has posted high test scores; Florida Virtual School, which serves almost 100,000 students, has received an “A” rating by the Florida Department of Education for four consecutive years. Digital learning benefits both students and teachers through the enabling of personalized learning. Students can focus on the areas where they need the most improvement, and teachers enjoy increased time, flexibility and knowledge of an individual student’s progress. Since children are so used to interacting with digital media, successful teaching methods will involve computer-based learning.
Digital learning also can save money. Last December, Georgia approved spending $5,800 per pupil for online charter schools; the nationwide average is about $6,500. By contrast, Georgia spent an average of $8,761.39 per (public school) pupil in 2010, according to the Georgia Department of Education. Growing Georgia’s digital learning capabilities can save substantial amounts of taxpayer money. There are currently three major digital learning operations in Georgia: Georgia Cyber Academy, Georgia Virtual School and Georgia Connections Academy, the former serving approximately 6,000 students. This a healthy start, but through increased support we can save money and help children escape the one-size-fits-all approach proven to be a failure.
The digital learning approach is not for everyone and by itself cannot provide an optimal learning experience. Accountability, quality content, sound teaching methodology and educational philosophy and physical education are all crucial components of a healthy education. Digital learning models must incorporate these if they are to be successful. Ultimately, the most important factor in a successful education is the motivation to learn. Fostering this desire is the most important task in education, and in this regard, digital learning can only do so much. That said, online learning can — and will — be an important component in a healthy, successful education system.
William Smith, a summer fellow at the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, is a graduate student in political science at the University of Georgia.
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