Search Results

As we continue our exploring the many facets of digital learning here at FutureEd Solutions, we turn our focus to the financial benefits districts can reap through establishing a Digital Learning Academy. Ohio is used as our case study, with lessons that can be applied to districts nationwide. The Cost-Effectiveness of Digital Learning Investing in a Digital Learning Academy can lead to cost savings in the long term. In most cases the Digital Academy can be a revenue generator for the district. This additional revenue can be used to fund special projects or supplement the overall general fund of the development. Traditional brick-and-mortar schools incur significant costs including building maintenance, utilities, transportation, and more. A Digital Learning Academy, however, mitigates many of these expenses. A 2018 report by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute found that online schools in Ohio spent 27% less per pupil compared to traditional public schools. This reduction in expenditure opens up funds that can be reinvested in improving the quality of education, enhancing resources, and expanding digital infrastructure. Boosting Enrollment A Digital Learning Academy can attract a wider range of students, including homeschoolers, students seeking a flexible learning schedule, or those who prefer a personalized, self-paced learning environment. This can result in increased enrollment, and consequently, increased funding. In Ohio, state funding for schools is primarily based on student enrollment. With a Digital Learning Academy, districts can retain local students who might otherwise opt for homeschooling or out-of-district online schools, and even draw in students from outside the district. The district keeps control of student participation in the Digital Academy by establishing clear criteria for enrollment and ongoing participation. This criteria serves as a control to ensure the Academy is a good fit for students and ongoing motivation for the participating students. Enhancing Grant Opportunities Digital education initiatives can open doors to grants and funding opportunities not available to traditional learning formats. Federal and state grants, as well as private funding, often prioritize innovative educational approaches that leverage technology to improve student outcomes. Reducing Absenteeism Online learning platforms can also help decrease absenteeism. With the ability to access coursework anytime, anywhere, students are less likely to miss out on learning. Lower absentee rates can directly impact school funding, as Ohio’s funding model partially takes attendance into account. Conclusion While setting up a Digital Learning Academy can require a significant initial investment in technology and professional development, having a seasoned partner like FutureEd Solutions reduces your risks and investment to almost nothing. From reducing operational costs to boosting enrollment and reducing absenteeism, digital learning is not only an investment in our children’s future but also a strategic fiscal decision for school districts. Remember, while we’ve focused on Ohio in this blog post, these insights are applicable across the U.S. Please subscribe and like the post if you did. FutureEd Solutions (FES) is a leading provider of Blended learning solutions. Their unique partnership approach with districts drives better outcomes. Contact FES today to learn more. www.FESNow.org or 614-300-5200

Welcome to the FutureEd Solutions Blog! Today, we're diving into the transformative world of digital learning in K-12 education. As we navigate an increasingly digital era, it's critical to understand the value and effectiveness of digital learning options. So, let's explore the facts and figures. Digital learning – or the use of technology to deliver curriculum and facilitate learning – offers a myriad of benefits. From personalizing education to expanding learning opportunities, digital tools can significantly enhance K-12 education. Flexibility and Accessibility One of the main advantages of digital learning is the flexibility it offers. According to a 2019 Evergreen Education Group report, approximately 2.7 million K-12 students participated in some form of online learning. Why? Because digital learning transcends geographic barriers and traditional time constraints, making education accessible to a wider student population, including rural students, homebound learners, or those who need flexible schedules due to other commitments. Personalized Learning Paths Digital platforms can tailor the learning experience to individual students' needs and pacing. According to a 2018 report from the Center for Digital Education, 73% of educators saw improved student engagement when they used digital tools to personalize instruction. This individualized approach allows students to progress at their own speed, ensuring they truly understand the material before moving forward. Boosting Skills for the Future Digital learning is not just about delivering academic content; it's also about equipping students with essential digital literacy skills for the 21st century. According to a LinkedIn report, nearly 60% of global companies struggle to find candidates with the right digital skills. Introducing students to digital tools early on prepares them for the modern workforce, giving them a competitive edge. Data-Driven Insights With digital learning, educators can gather real-time data on student performance, allowing them to adjust instruction as needed. According to a 2017 report from the Center for Digital Education, 92% of teachers said that they saw a significant improvement in student performance when they used data to inform their instruction. Conclusion While digital learning isn't without its challenges – such as ensuring equitable access to technology – the benefits are clear. From increasing flexibility and personalization to improving student outcomes and equipping students with future-ready skills, digital learning holds immense potential. As we continue to drive innovation in digital learning solutions at FutureEd Solutions, we are excited to share insights, tips, and success stories with you. Together, we can revolutionize K-12 education for the betterment of our children's future. If you’re not one of our amazing partners already, please contact us at info@fesnow.org or 614-300-5200. Stay tuned for more!

Greetings, Educators, Learners, Parents, and Friends, We're thrilled to welcome you to the launch of the FutureEd Solutions Blog, our dedicated space for sharing, learning, and growing in our mutual pursuit of educational excellence. Our mission is simple: we aim to empower every child to reach their full potential through the transformative power of excellent digital education. The FutureEd Solutions team comprises passionate educators, innovative technologists, and dedicated child advocates. With our collective experience and commitment, we are continually striving to revolutionize the digital learning landscape. Our goal is to equip educators with the tools and strategies they need to succeed and to help learners find joy and accomplishment in their educational journeys. As we embark on this exciting voyage together, you can expect a wealth of resources, insights, and ideas from our blog. We'll be sharing cutting-edge research, impactful strategies, success stories, practical guides, and much more. Our focus will span a wide range of topics – from edtech trends and digital pedagogy, to fostering inclusivity, enhancing engagement, and beyond. We see the FutureEd Solutions Blog as more than just an information hub – we envision it as a dynamic, interactive community. And this is where you come in. Your insights, experiences, and feedback will enrich our collective knowledge and shape our shared journey. That being said, we encourage active participation and open dialogue, but we ask that all conversations remain respectful, professional, and constructive. Together, we can ensure that this platform serves as a supportive space for all stakeholders in the education community. On behalf of the entire FutureEd Solutions team, thank you for joining us on this journey. We are thrilled to have you here and can't wait to see where our shared passion for digital education excellence will take us. Let's pave the way to a future where every child thrives in their learning, thanks to innovative, engaging, and equitable digital education. Welcome to FutureEd Solutions – let's shape the future of education together! Best, The FutureEd Solutions Team

The education landscape is facing an uphill battle. Schools nationwide are struggling to recruit and retain teachers, leading to a concerning teacher shortage. This issue is complex and multifaceted, tied to factors such as inadequate compensation, high levels of stress, lack of support, and dwindling enthusiasm for the profession. Salaries for teachers have not kept pace with other professions, making teaching less attractive to both new graduates and experienced professionals. According to the Economic Policy Institute, teachers make 21.4 percent less than other professionals with comparable education and experience. Additionally, the demands placed on teachers have grown exponentially over the years. Increasing class sizes, heightened administrative responsibilities, and societal pressures contribute to higher stress levels and burnout rates. This ongoing crisis has pushed schools and districts to explore alternative education methods, one of which is blended learning. Blended learning, or the practice of combining traditional classroom instruction with online learning, has been emerging as a potential solution. Here's why many schools are gravitating toward blended learning: **Flexibility**: Blended learning allows students to learn at their own pace, anytime, anywhere. This flexibility can help accommodate diverse learning styles and needs, improving educational outcomes. **Efficiency**: With blended learning, teachers can provide personalized learning experiences without the need for one-on-one instruction. Digital platforms can offer adaptive learning pathways, saving teachers time and reducing their workload. **Engagement**: By incorporating technology into the classroom, blended learning can make education more engaging and relevant for digital-native students. **Scalability**: Blended learning can help schools reach more students with fewer resources, helping to mitigate the impacts of the teacher shortage. While blended learning isn’t a magic fix to the teacher shortage, it can be a significant part of the solution. It's important, however, to remember that successful implementation requires careful planning, sufficient resources, and ongoing professional development for teachers. As we continue to navigate these challenging times in education, let's remain open to new methodologies that can support teachers and promote learning. Blended learning offers a promising path forward, merging the best of traditional teaching with the advantages of digital innovation. FutureEd Solutions (FES) is a leading provider of Blended learning solutions. Their unique partnership approach with districts drives better outcomes. Contact FES today to learn more. www.FESNow.org or 614-300-5200