Colorado is a great place to be for a host of public online education options. Douglas County School District has a new cyber-learning alternative: eDCSD Online Education. “Learning That Takes You Places” is the eDCSD motto. Online learning well may be the massive wave of the future in education – it might even be common for a major portion of students to be enrolled in these kind of programs by the time I reach high school.

But another online education program, you say? What makes eDCSD unique?:

eDCSD combines rigorous curriculum, well qualified teachers, and the best in Web 2.0 technologies—all with the convenience of online accessibility to create a learning experience that is truly one of a kind.

In addition to low student-to-teacher ratios and convenient, flexible scheduling – traits common to cyberschools – eDCSD also puts an emphasis on “a safe, secure social networking environment that encourages student connection and fosters collaboration.” If they can take what kids know today from the online worlds of MySpace, Facebook, and the like, and combine it effectively with the content students need to reach educational success, that would make the eDCSD program stand apart.

You have to go to the eDCSD Online website directly to see the introductory video that tells what the school is about far better than my little blog post. But I love this quote that Douglas County Superintendent Jim Christensen gives in the video about the district’s online program:

What we respect most is your choice on how your child should be educated, and we can provide the full menu. And if you want part of this menu, and part of that menu, we have it for you. So this is a one-stop shop for any parent or any child in whatever learning environment they would like to pursue. We believe we can meet those needs. [emphasis added]

It’s great to see that the Douglas County Schools leadership really gets it, as they respond to the demands from families to tailor options that suit their children’s learning styles. And if you think the eDCSD Online learning program may suit your child, I suggest you go check it out.

Other new schools featured:

• The Studio School in Adams 12
• Cesar Chavez Academy-North Central
• Early College High School Arvada
• AXL Academy
• The Imagine Classical Academy at Indigo Ranch