Policy Issues 11: Virtual Schools and E-Learning in K-12 Environments

NCREL's Online Resoruce for E-Learning

As a response to the growing interest in e-learning, North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL) has developed the E-Learning Knowledge Base Web site. This Web site provides a review and synthesis of current literature on e-learning.

The foundation of the E-Learning Knowledge Base is a searchable, annotated review of literature containing more than 350 active links to full-text sources. These online resources vary in scope and complexity from single, article-length publications published in a growing number of high-quality online publications to complex Web sites that house content roughly equivalent to a published journal or book. It appears that because of the unique nature of work in e-learning, the best literature may very well be available in online forms.

Besides the online review of literature, the E-Learning Knowledge Base contains narratives connecting e-learning with curriculum and standards-based content, teaching and learning, instructional technology systems, and cultural and organizational context. Informing K-12 leaders and decision makers on the full range of issues concerning development and deployment of e-learning is considered a critical priority. Educators can apply this knowledge to support e-learning strategies and online collaborative environments in the classroom and in professional development activities.

Users can explore the resources in the Web site using any order or strategy that helps them address their questions about e-learning policy and practice. Because e-learning is changing rapidly, the site will be changing with it. New resources will be added periodically. The preliminary conclusions offered by NCREL's synthesis may change as important new studies and policy documents are released for publication. Users are encouraged to come back often to check for new resources and modifications.