Why Online Education Needs to Be an Expectation, Not Just an Option

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the world to rethink education, thrusting online learning into the spotlight. For a moment, it seemed like education might finally catch up with the realities of the modern world. However, as schools returned to in-person instruction, online education was largely pushed back into the corner, treated as an emergency option rather than a transformative approach to teaching and learning. This reluctance to embrace online education as an expectation, not just an option, reveals the deeply entrenched resistance to change within our educational systems.

Having worked in online education for almost a decade, I’ve witnessed its transformative potential for students, teachers, and communities. Our world is increasingly accepting remote work and self-driven learning as norms, yet education lags behind, clinging to outdated models that prioritize institutional control over student success. It’s time to challenge the status quo and advocate for a system where online education isn’t a last resort but a foundational component of modern schooling.

The Case for Online Education: A Modern Solution for a Changing World

Online education is more than just a method of delivering lessons; it represents a shift in how we think about teaching and learning. Here are some key reasons why it should be an expectation, not just an option:

1. Flexibility for Diverse Learners

Traditional schooling operates on a rigid schedule that often fails to accommodate the diverse needs of students. Online education, on the other hand, offers flexibility that can benefit a wide range of learners, including:

• Students with health challenges: Online learning allows students to continue their education without the physical strain of attending school in person.

• Advanced learners: Self-paced online courses can enable gifted students to move ahead without being held back by the constraints of a traditional classroom.

• Struggling students: Online platforms can provide personalized support and resources tailored to individual learning needs.

• Students with work or family responsibilities: High school students who need to work or care for family members can balance their obligations with their education.

Flexibility is not just a convenience; it’s a necessity in a world where one-size-fits-all solutions no longer work.

2. Preparing Self-Starters for the Future

The modern workforce values self-starters: individuals who can manage their time, work independently, and take initiative. Online education naturally fosters these skills by requiring students to take greater ownership of their learning. In a virtual environment, students must:

• Organize their schedules

• Prioritize tasks

• Seek help when needed

These are the same skills that employers seek and that individuals need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. By integrating online education as a standard component of schooling, we can better prepare students for life beyond the classroom.

3. Embracing Remote Work Norms

The rise of remote work has demonstrated that productivity and collaboration are not confined to physical office spaces. Companies around the world have embraced remote and hybrid models, recognizing the benefits of flexibility, cost savings, and access to a wider talent pool. Education should follow suit by normalizing remote learning options.

Online education mirrors the realities of remote work, teaching students how to:

• Communicate effectively in digital spaces

• Collaborate on projects using online tools

• Navigate virtual platforms and technologies

By resisting online education, traditional schools are failing to prepare students for the realities of the modern workforce.

4. Breaking Down Geographic Barriers

Online education removes the limitations of geography, giving students access to courses, teachers, and resources that may not be available locally. This is particularly impactful for:

• Rural communities with limited educational resources

• Students in underfunded districts

• Learners seeking specialized courses, such as advanced STEM classes or foreign languages

The ability to learn from anywhere levels the playing field, ensuring that every student has access to quality education regardless of their location.

5. Cost-Effectiveness and Efficiency

While initial investments in online education infrastructure can be significant, the long-term cost savings are undeniable. Online education reduces expenses related to:

• Facility maintenance and utilities

• Transportation

• Physical textbooks and materials

These savings can be redirected to improve teacher salaries, invest in technology, and provide additional support for students. Moreover, online platforms can streamline administrative tasks, allowing educators to focus more on teaching and less on paperwork.

The Resistance to Online Education: Clinging to an Outdated System

Despite its clear benefits, online education faces significant resistance from school boards, administrators, and other stakeholders. This resistance is rooted in a desire to maintain control and a reluctance to disrupt the status quo.

1. Fear of Losing Control

Traditional education systems are designed to centralize power within school boards and administrators. Online education, with its flexibility and individualized approach, challenges this model by shifting some of the control to students and families. This decentralization is seen as a threat to the traditional hierarchy, where decision-making power is concentrated at the top.

2. Funding Tied to Physical Attendance

Many school districts rely on funding models based on physical attendance. This creates a financial incentive to prioritize in-person instruction, even when online options may be more effective or desirable. As a result, districts often resist online education to protect their funding streams, putting institutional needs above student needs.

3. Perceptions of Legitimacy

Online education is often unfairly viewed as inferior to traditional schooling, despite evidence to the contrary. This stigma persists among some educators, parents, and policymakers, who equate innovation with a loss of rigor or quality. Changing these perceptions requires a cultural shift that values outcomes over appearances.

4. Technological and Training Gaps

Implementing online education effectively requires significant investment in technology and teacher training. Many districts lack the resources or willingness to make these investments, opting instead for superficial solutions that fail to address underlying issues.

5. Resistance to Change

Education is one of the most change-resistant institutions in society. School boards and administrators often prioritize stability and tradition over innovation, clinging to outdated practices that no longer serve today’s students.

Online Education vs. Traditional Schooling: A Relic of the Past

The traditional model of education — a classroom with rows of desks, a teacher at the front, and a bell schedule — is a relic of the Industrial Revolution. This model was designed to prepare students for factory jobs, emphasizing conformity, obedience, and rote learning. In contrast, today’s world demands critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability.

By sticking to this outdated model, school boards and administrators are doing a disservice to students. Online education offers a chance to break free from these constraints and create a system that reflects the realities of the 21st century. Yet, non-students, those who have never experienced the benefits of online learning, often hold onto the traditional model, perpetuating a cycle of stagnation.

What Needs to Change: Building a Future Where Online Education Is the Norm

To make online education an expectation rather than an option, we need systemic changes at every level of education. Here are some key steps:

1. Redefine Funding Models

Funding should be tied to student outcomes and engagement, not physical attendance. This would incentivize districts to invest in online education and ensure that resources are allocated based on what works best for students.

2. Invest in Infrastructure

Every student deserves access to reliable internet and devices. Public-private partnerships can help bridge the digital divide, ensuring that no student is left behind.

3. Prioritize Teacher Training

Teachers are the backbone of education, and their success is essential for any innovation to thrive. Districts must provide comprehensive training and ongoing support to help educators adapt to online teaching.

4. Embrace Hybrid Models

A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for education. Hybrid models that combine online and in-person learning can offer the best of both worlds, allowing students to benefit from flexibility while still building social connections and community.

5. Challenge the Stigma

Policymakers, educators, and parents must work to change the perception of online education. By highlighting success stories and sharing data on its effectiveness, we can build trust in this approach.

6. Empower Students and Families

Education should be a partnership between schools, students, and families. Giving families more choice and control over their education will lead to better outcomes and greater satisfaction.

My Experience: A Decade of Online Education

As someone who has spent nearly a decade working in online education, I’ve seen its transformative potential up close. I’ve watched students who struggled in traditional classrooms thrive in virtual environments where they could work at their own pace. I’ve seen teachers develop new skills and embrace innovative methods that reignited their passion for teaching. And I’ve witnessed how online education can bring together diverse communities, breaking down geographic and socioeconomic barriers.

But I’ve also seen the challenges: the lack of support for teachers, the digital divide that leaves some students behind, and the resistance from leaders who view online education as a threat rather than an opportunity. These challenges are not insurmountable, but addressing them requires a commitment to putting students first and embracing change.

Conclusion

Online education is not a passing trend or a stopgap solution; it is a necessary evolution of our education system. In a world that values flexibility, self-direction, and innovation, clinging to outdated models does a disservice to students, teachers, and communities. By making online education an expectation, we can create a system that is more equitable, effective, and aligned with the realities of the modern world.

The resistance to online education is not about what’s best for students; it’s about maintaining control and preserving the status quo. It’s time for school boards and administrators to let go of their grip on a relic of the past and embrace a future where every student has the opportunity to succeed — no matter where, how, or when they learn.