Online education is the wave of the future

Looking ahead into the classroom of 2035 certainly makes for some intriguing thoughts in rethinking the way that we deliver quality instruction. The Khan Academy is a good example of the brilliant work that has gone into redesigning learning. Their lessons are well thought out, cleverly organized, and as comprehensive as you want it to be. Could online learning be what the future holds for our grandchildren?

I cannot fathom that anything will ever replace the warm and nurturing environment found in our local elementary schools with dedicated teachers helping their little ones grow and learn.

I do, however, think that secondary schools will eventually go online completely. As the children have grown up with technology they are far more comfortable with it than our old-timers are.

Those children leaving fifth grade in 2035 will have the technical skills needed to easily adapt to self-paced learning. With their ever-handy cell phone/tablet, they will have 24/7 access to their personal digital tutor/teacher that will customize every lesson as needed.

Middle school and high school campuses may fade into history, except for highly skilled technical and scientific training.

I have studied a variety of material online and the results were most impressive. Whenever I needed to revisit the content, it was just a click away to go back and cover it again. With the help of brilliant teachers, the lessons were still simple and easy to understand as the content became much more difficult.

So in our planning for 2035 should we consider that schooling as we know it will evolve and change? Yes, and as long as there is a way for every student to get the help that they need at every level to become strong and productive members of our community I strongly support it.

Dan Crumpler

Bradenton

This story was originally published October 4, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Online education is the wave of the future ."