PLUGGING IN, WORLDWIDE: Also at the iNACOL meeting: fresh report on online learning all around the globe. The governments of almost 60% of more than 60 countries surveyed fund some blended-learning or full-time online learning programs for primary and secondary age students. (One notable exception: the Philippines). Australia is requiring that by 2012 its mandated national curriculum for prep-to-year-10 schools be available via electronic delivery. China started its first online school in 1996; now it has about 200 such schools, enrolling 600,000 students. Fewer than 25% of countries have national quality standards for online courses. One major issue: "There is no clear international understanding or standard set of definitions to clarify exactly what online learning comprises." Here is a free download (or for-purchase hardcopy) of the report.
As for the US: enrollment in post secondary US online programs rose 10%, a slowdown from the torrid growth of 21% a year earlier, according to this detailed look, "Going the Distance: Online Education in the United States, 2011," produced by the Babson Survey Research Group and the College Board.
