Rep. Peter Cownie: Online Learning Should be an Option for Students in West Des Moines, Rural Iowa

By Rep. Peter Cownie
Is the Internet a good tool to help educate Iowa students in our schools?

If yes, how should it be used? Relatively speaking, the Internet is a new product and has not been a regular part of American life for more than about 15 years or so. It has helped create wealth, make unlimited access to information available, and become an invaluable tool in the workplace.

I also believe there is a place for online learning in Iowa education.

Is online education a good idea? What are the advantages? The disadvantages? Tell us in comments.

House File 2380, the education reform bill, was debated and passed last week by the Iowa House. House File 2380 is a complex and far-reaching bill. Online learning is an important part of the bill. Part of the online learning piece essentially allows for students to take a class online through the Department of Education if their own school does not offer that class.

For example, if a 10th grader at Baxter High School wants to take German even though that class is not offered at their high school, he or she would be able to take German online through the Department of Education.

Internet Helps Smaller Schools Cope With Shrinking Resources
Online learning should be particularly appealing in Iowa’s rural districts for students who might not have as many options for elective courses as some urban districts. Whether right or wrong, urban and larger school districts have more course offerings for students. It comes down to what is fiscally responsible for smaller school districts.

Does it make sense for a school district to employ a full-time German teacher when there is only one student that may take that class? I think not. The Internet helps solve this problem.

Online learning is obviously very new. I did not have these opportunities when I was in grade school or high school. This type of learning inherently means that new challenges will emerge as the technology evolves.

This should not be a deterrent for the state to allow kids to take classes they normally would not be able to. We should embrace this opportunity and allow students to reach their full potential by giving them as many options as possible to receive the finest education possible.

The Legislature should be forward-thinking and also take advantage of technology and information that the world has at its disposal for education purposes.

The Internet is a new product that has changed the world and Iowans use it in nearly all facets of their daily lives. There should be a place for it in the education of our students, too.