Empower College Readiness: Integrate Online Learning for Enhanced Student Success
September 2024
Preparing students for success in higher education is a top priority—and today, that means equipping them with experience in online learning. In a recent FACTS webinar, Shane Martin, Provost of Seattle University, emphasized that "online learning is the future of education," noting that students without this experience are at a clear disadvantage in college. The data backs this up: more than half of U.S. university students now take at least one online course, and 50% of college instructors teach courses entirely online.
This shift is reshaping how colleges operate, and high schools need to follow suit. By incorporating online learning into your curriculum, you're giving students a head start in navigating the digital platforms they’ll encounter in college, while also broadening your school's course offerings and enhancing student outcomes. This article explores the growing trend of online learning and offers practical steps to integrate it into your school to ensure your students are fully prepared for higher education.
Online Learning: A Growing Trend in Higher Education
Online learning has evolved over the last 25 years. In 1989, University of Phoenix launched the first fully online collegiate institution. In the early 2000s, online learning grew and expanded into new models thanks to the development of learning management systems (LMS) like Blackboard. This allowed for hybridized classes, which met on campuses for in-person classes, while projects could be posted online in the LMS.
Although online learning began gaining popularity in the early 2000s, the 2020 COVID pandemic was the trigger needed to initiate substantive changes in learning patterns and trends. Almost all learning was virtual learning during this period. Colleges and universities were compelled to use and develop new resources and methods to extend learning opportunities to students. Online classes became standard as colleges and universities partially reopened, and then fully reopened at staggered time periods.
Professors who had previously been hesitant to teach online had no option but to adapt and proceed. Students, relieved to continue their education during unprecedented times, continued with virtual options. Institutions revisited or revised policies, allowing more ease in producing and assessing online learning.
By the fall of 2022, more than half of American college students (54%) took one or more of their classes online. Exclusively online colleges and universities (no brick-and-mortar campus) currently enroll about 6% of all United States postsecondary students, or around 1.1. million people. Compare that to 2019 and see a 50% increase in students enrolled in at least one class online.
These numbers show a consistently increasing trend in learning online. According to the latest federal data, a growing number of students in United States higher education are taking classes online. Online learning is here to stay, and more and more universities are offering, if not requiring, online courses.
Positive Impacts
Not only are online classes becoming more commonplace in higher education, but they are also offering schools, teachers, and students unique benefits—both immediate and long term. Elementary, middle, and high schools can enjoy the same benefits by offering online courses to students.
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College and Career Preparation
Today’s students need to be ready for online learning in higher education, and the best way to prepare them is by offering high-quality online courses during high school or even earlier. Shane Martin sees hybrid learning models in colleges, where students engage with course content online and then collaborate in person for discussions and projects. He believes high schools should adopt this approach to help students develop the digital skills and adaptability they’ll need for success in the future.
Martin suggests that fully asynchronous learning options before college can be a lesson in pacing and time management. Teachers can play an essential role at these earlier grade levels: coach.
“There’s a way to personalize asynchronous courses or modules with pacing so it is not simply ‘students, you’re on your own,’” he notes. By regularly checking in with students and utilizing online dashboards, teachers can ensure that students stay on track and receive the support they need, even when working at their own pace. This hands-on approach helps students develop the discipline and independence required for college-level online courses.
Beyond school, in today’s digital economy, students and professionals must be digitally literate. Online courses offer students an opportunity to digitally collaborate, to effectively use technology, and to develop communication skills. In some cases, students can take online courses that provide preparation for a specific career. Online courses provide a safe and structured environment for students to develop the skills needed for success in college and beyond.
Academics
Beyond preparing students for the demands of colleges and universities, schools can reach more learners by offering online courses. With online courses, students have the advantage of course choice and extensive learning options without a strain on the school’s infrastructure or faculty. Schools can help these students find the best options for their needs, offering courses and working with students to achieve their goals with a broad array of options covering many interests (think a variety of electives, world languages, Honors/Advanced Placement®, and credit recovery).
Expanding curriculum and course offerings is not unique to K–12 Catholic schools. Catholic colleges and universities are also embracing this approach to overcome limitations and provide students with greater choices and opportunities, says Shane Martin.
Cost Effectiveness
An important advantage of online learning for both institutions and students is cost. With online partners, schools can expand their course offerings without large overhead and extra expenses associated with increased programming, while still offering regular in-person courses. For students, online learning tends to be affordable, and many schools pass on the cost of additional online courses to families including a small percentage for administrative fees.
Accelerated Graduation
Another advantage of online learning is accelerated time-to-degree timing. A study published through the Annenberg Institute at Brown University noted that the graduation results from online learning demonstrate improved time-to-degree periods. This can also be true of students in high school who might like to take additional courses prior to graduation to earn college credit or to enhance college applications.
Autonomous Learning
Autonomy for students has been an enormous benefit of online learning. Learning virtually has opened new pathways to design an academic and career plan. Some students have physical or mental health difficulties that prevent them from being able to attend school. Student athletes or those with travel commitments are away from the classroom too often to succeed in a traditional school setting. These students can access educational opportunities in ways they might otherwise be unable to, thanks to online learning.
Preparing Students for a Digital Future
Online learning has become a cornerstone of modern education, offering students the flexibility, skills, and opportunities they need to thrive in higher education and beyond. For K–12 school leaders, integrating online courses into the curriculum is not just a way to expand academic offerings, but a crucial step in preparing students for the realities of college.
The benefits are clear: greater accessibility, cost-effective solutions, and enhanced academic experiences. By embracing online learning, schools can equip students with the digital literacy, autonomy, and collaboration skills that are essential in today’s educational and professional environments. The future of education is digital—ensure your students are ready for it.
Abramson, A. (2021, September 1). Capturing the benefits of remote learning. Monitor on Psychology, 52(6). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/09/cover-remote-learning
Barshay, Jill. (January 29, 2024). Proof Points most College Kids Are Taking At Least One Class Online Long After Campuses Reopened. Hechingerreport.org. https://hechingerreport.org/proof-points-most-college-kids-are-taking-at-least-one-class-online-even-long-after-campuses-reopened/
Hamilton, Irena, and Beagle, Veronica. (March 22, 2024) “By the Numbers: The Rise of Online Learning in the US” Forbes.org. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/online-colleges/online-learning-stats/
Fischer, Christian, Rachel Baker, Qiujie Li, Gabe Avakian Orona, and Mark Warschauer. (2021). Increasing success in higher education: The relationships of online course taking with college completion and time-to-degree. (EdWorkingPaper: 21-427). Retrieved from Annenberg Institute at Brown University: https://doi.org/10.26300/m9ra-kr67
Hamilton, Irena, and Beagle, Veronica. (March 22, 2024) “By the Numbers: The Rise of Online Learning in the US” Forbes.org. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/online-colleges/online-learning-stats/
Hanson, Melanie. “Cost of Online Education vs. Traditional Education” EducationData.org, August 23, 2023,
https://educationdata.org/cost-of-online-education-vs-traditional-education
Hill, Phil. (January 21, 2024). Fall 2022 IPEDS Data: Profile of US Higher Ed Online Education. Onedtech.philhillaa.com. https://onedtech.philhillaa.com/p/fall-2022-profile-us-higher-ed-online-education
Shankar, K., Arora, P., & Binz-Scharf, M. C. (2023). Evidence on Online Higher Education: The Promise of COVID-19 Pandemic Data. Management and Labour Studies, 48(2), 242-249. https://doi.org/10.1177/0258042X211064783
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