Special Report
Special Report

Crafting E-Curriculum That Inspires

January 12, 2011
This special report, part of Education Week's series on e-learning, examines how schools are working to create high-quality digital curricula and online courses. It covers the influence the common-core academic standards are likely to have on building the online curricula of the future, the growing emphasis on teaching social skills to virtual school students, how schools are building courses that blend face-to-face and online learning, and the evolving role of e-assessments.
  • Classroom Technology E-Curriculum Seen to Set Stage for Better Testing
    The interactivity and flexibility of online curricula could lead to a wave of more effective ways to assess students, experts say.
    Ian Quillen, January 7, 2011
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    6 min read
    Classroom Technology Fla. Virtual School Ties Course Completions to Funding
    The state-sponsored school walks a delicate line between maintaining academic standards and ensuring it has adequate funding.
    Ian Quillen, January 7, 2011
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    4 min read
    Ben Zucker, 9, plays with Megan Bermes, 7, during the Texas Connections Academy field trip to Natural Bridge Caverns. Both students are from San Antonio.
    Ben Zucker, 9, plays with Megan Bermes, 7, during the Texas Connections Academy field trip to Natural Bridge Caverns. Both students are from San Antonio.
    Alicia Wagner Calzada for Education Week
    Classroom Technology Cyber Students Taught the Value of Social Skills
    Virtual schools are adding social skills to the curricula to satisfy parents and students who worry about potential isolation in the online world.
    Michelle R. Davis, January 7, 2011
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    9 min read
    Susan D. Patrick
    Susan D. Patrick
    Standards Common Core Conversation With Susan Patrick
    The president and CEO of the International Association for K-12 Online Learning talks to Education Week about the impact the common core standards are likely to have on e-learning.
    Katie Ash, January 7, 2011
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    2 min read
    Classroom Technology Marriage of E-Courses and Mobile Computing Still Evolving
    One giant step K-12 virtual education has yet to take is the creation of courses that can be completed entirely with a mobile device.
    Ian Quillen, January 7, 2011
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    5 min read
    College & Workforce Readiness Online Credit Recovery Emphasizes Personalized Learning
    Developers of credit-recovery courses are constantly trying to figure out what will motivate underachieving students.
    Michelle R. Davis, January 7, 2011
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    5 min read
    Aimee Cvancara helps her son Peter, 5, with math work on a laptop computer at the family home in Anthem, Ariz. Peter is enrolled in the Arizona Virtual Academy, a K-12 online school that uses curriculum from Herndon, Va-based K12 Inc., a company that provides e-learning services. Elementary students in the academy must demonstrate mastery at subject checkpoints.
    Aimee Cvancara helps her son Peter, 5, with math work on a laptop computer at the family home in Anthem, Ariz. Peter is enrolled in the Arizona Virtual Academy, a K-12 online school that uses curriculum from Herndon, Va-based K12 Inc., a company that provides e-learning services. Elementary students in the academy must demonstrate mastery at subject checkpoints.
    David Wallace for Education Week
    Classroom Technology Cyber Schools Address Elementary Needs
    Elementary school online students need remediation or acceleration at junctures in their development some say are more crucial than any in high school.
    Ian Quillen, January 7, 2011
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    6 min read
    Curriculum Linking E-Courses to 'Common Core' Academic Standards
    The widespread pledge by states to adopt common standards could allow virtual education to truly break down state boundaries for teachers and students, experts say.
    Katie Ash, January 7, 2011
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    6 min read
    Standards Group Outlines K-12 Online Course Standards
    After crafting standards for higher education that are widely used, the Quality Matters Program outlines e-learning course expectations for K-12 schools.
    Katie Ash, January 7, 2011
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    5 min read
    The Grand Rapids district in Michigan launched blended-learning classes this school year that combine face-to-face instruction and e-learning. Students, above, do work for a blended social studies course at Ottawa Hills High School.
    The Grand Rapids district in Michigan launched blended-learning classes this school year that combine face-to-face instruction and e-learning. Students, above, do work for a blended social studies course at Ottawa Hills High School.
    Adam Bird for Education Week
    Classroom Technology Curricula All Over the Map for 'Blended' Classes
    The content and approaches for courses that blend face-to-face and virtual learning varies widely, raising questions about what works best.
    Katie Ash, January 7, 2011
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    6 min read
    Curriculum About This Report
    This is the final installment of a three-part series on e-learning examining how schools are working to create high-quality digital curricula and online courses.
    Kevin Bushweller, January 7, 2011
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    1 min read
    Education Crafting E-Curriculum That Inspires
    Download our special report in a new interactive format. The report aims to examines how schools are working to create high-quality digital curricula and online courses. It covers the influence the common-core academic standards are likely to have on building the online curricula of the future, the growing emphasis on teaching social skills to virtual school students, how schools are building courses that blend face-to-face and online learning, and the evolving role of e-assessments.
    January 7, 2011
    Classroom Technology Schools Examine Content, Delivery of Online AP Courses
    College Board plans to add more robust content to the courses and make sure they emphasize the development of 21st-century skills.
    Michelle R. Davis, January 3, 2011
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    6 min read