Positive Culture for at Risk Youth through Online Learning

Positive Culture for at Risk Youth through Online Learning

Literature Review

Research studies indicate that online learning programs have become an accessible and advantageous tool of learning for both, the teacher and the student. However, the extent to which online programs or use of technology can be incorporated into the educational course is dependent upon the academic standard and cognitive skills of children (Watson & Gemin, 2008). Kiekel (2007) states that little care is paid by educators, students, administrators and parents to evaluate the effectiveness of online programs may be because of their improper expertise or due to lack of time. In either case, it provides an eminent opportunity sales growth to these online programs, and puts the future of students at stake.

On the contrary, Packer (2012) argues that use of technology has become a necessity for today's students, which provide unique opportunities of creating and sharing knowledge. Watson and Gemin (2008) have identified online learning as a source of expanding high-quality opportunities of education and an effective tool to meet diverse students' educational and learning needs.

At-Risk Students

There has been tremendous research in the field of study to identify various factors of online learning, which may put young students at risk. Poverty, less privileged life and little opportunities to grow have been at the top of factors that negatively affect the youth of a nation (Beauvais & Jensen 2003; Evans 2004; Hawkins et. al., 2000). Various factors are likely to incline students to these risks and majority of them rely upon the academic achievement of children. They may comprise of being unable to fulfill the needs that are essential for the students' promotion to the next level or graduate from high school, failing two or more courses of study, lagging behind the other students of the same grade or age in educational activities, or not reading at grade level.

Some of the other elements that are associated with the being at-risk of the students include non-academic components that are thought to impacts the likelihood of the students in attaining success at school. The at-risk students can be also being considered those who are parents, pregnant, incarcerated, or possess a history of alcohol or drug abuse. Precisely, students who possess one or multiple features mentioned below are considered to be at-risk (Watson & Gemin, 2008):

Belonging to a family of single parent

Low socio-economic status

An older dropped out of school sibling

These children who have switched two or more schools

Students who have repeated a grade.

There are clearly multiple factors that enhance the probability of students' dropping out of school. These factors, as shown above, belong to the category of one family, individual, community, and school (Chen &. Kaufman, 1997).

Strategy to assist at risk Students

According to Watson & Gemin (2008) increase in the number of dropping out students or at risk students has an associated cost for the community, nation and for the student, himself. The community and society as a whole can help these students to come out of ...