A recent 93-page report on online education, conducted by SRI International for the Department of Education, has a starchy academic title, but a most intriguing conclusion: "On average, students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction."
Interesting. Though I'm curious about what's being assessed. there's a certain social knowledge and development that occurs in visually and physically mediated spaces that is more difficult to discern online. as well, wondering how online disinhibition (actors and lurkers) factors into who "performs" well or is under serviced by online only contexts.
From keeping track of grades to sharing lesson plans, from helping students collaborate to communicating with parents, teachers now have a host of web-based tools at their disposal to help them stay organized and make their jobs easier.