Simply providing online discussion forums is not enough to keep students engaged in virtual courses, according to educators who are well-versed in online instruction: For real learning to occur in an online setting, virtual-school educators must establish clear rubrics and enforce rules for participation.

 

As more and more middle and high school students take online courses, virtual-school teachers and administrators are looking for ways to make the online learning experience as engaging and effective as possible, said Susan Lowes, director of research and evaluation for the Institute for Learning Technologies at Columbia University Teachers College.

 

This article appeared in the May 8, 2008 edition of the e-school news.