The Emergent Use of Online Learning in Secondary Education: A Preliminary Review of the Literature

While the preponderance of online learning is geared toward adult learners, its use in the United States for secondary education students has been around for over a decade and has a growing literature. As online learning for adolescents gains popularity, questions are being raised about the quality, strategies, and effectiveness of the programs being offered. There are several delivery methods of online learning from the full-time virtual school to the ‘blended’ model. This review of the literature will provide an understanding of current theory and practice online learning for secondary students, recommendations for implementation, and where it may lead.