Idaho Digital Learning Academy

The Idaho Digital learning Academy (IDLA) is a US state virtual school founded (established by Legislature) in 2002. It is located in Idaho, US. There were 14,300 course enrollments in 2009-10; this represents an increase of 49% since 2008-09. Courses are available for students from kindergarten through high school (K-12).

IDLA offers supplementary education to US schools, not complete diplomas. It works in partnership with Idaho school districts "to offer online choices that would not otherwise exist," especially in remote/underserved areas. IDLA is a government entity but is recognised as existing outside the state education agency. 98% of Idaho school districts have at least one student taking an IDLA course.

The Idaho Digital learning Academy web site is at http://www.idahodigitallearning.org.

More Details

Partners include the Idaho State Department of Education and several Idaho universities.

COurses may be instructor led or self-paced.

Courses for students are delivered online by instructors through Blackboard. Coursework may include readings, collaborative activities and interactive lessons. Webinars are available through IdahoLive software, providing a virtual meeting space with live online interaction among participants. Self-paced, shorter flex courses are delivered online through BrainHoney.

Despite rapid growth, public funding for IDLA was cut in Spring 2010. IDLA secured private funding and capped 2010-11 enrollments, unable to meet demand.

References

• Idaho Digital learning Academy web site, http://www.idahodigitallearning.org
• "A National Primer on K-12 Online Learning", iNACOL, October 2010, http://www.inacol.org/research/docs/national_report.pdf

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