Online learning in k-12? Meh….

The US Department of education has published a big-ass meta analysis entitled Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies. Looks like online learning works best in a blended environment. However there is no research-based evidence in K-12 that online learning is “effective”, and the report specifically warns us:

As it happened, the initial search of the literature published between 1996 and 2006 found no
studies contrasting K - 12 online learning with face-to-face instruction that met methodological
quality criteria. By performing a second literature search with an expanded time frame (through July 2008),
the team was able to greatly expand the corpus of studies with controlled designs and to identify
five controlled studies of K- 12 online learning with seven contrasts between online and face-to-face
conditions. This expanded corpus still comprises a very small number of studies, especially
considering the extent to which secondary schools are using online courses and the rapid growth
of online instruction in K- 12 education as a whole.

My quibble with online learning really boils down to “is it about learning or what is cost effective?”. Why is “affordable” always appended to every argument in support of online learning? My sense is online learning makes great fiscal sense for an organization, but what about learning?