Classrooms of the Future

How do paragraphs 4 through 6 support the author's position about online learning?

• By explaining how online classes have become part of the educational system

• By providing information about U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan

• By explaining why Bill Gates supports the development of online schools

• By providing evidence that online classes are valuable to students’ education

Which sentence best refutes the critics’ concerns about online education?

• After viewing an interactive video about the electromagnetic spectrum, she joins a couple of her classmates in an online chat room to complete a virtual lab assignment that they will e-mail to the instructor.

• Enrollment in these courses also allows students access to virtual laboratories and the finest libraries in the country, no matter where they live.

• Thanks to current technology, Samantha is just one of many students who have benefited from online learning.

• In fact, Florida Virtual School, the nation’s largest virtual high school, boasts higher scores in its advanced-placement courses than many traditional public schools.

The author supports the article’s premise by providing —

• testimonials from students who have had success with online education

• examples of how online classes are improving education

• statistics from various schools that offer online classes

• quotations from people who have been involved in organizing online classes

What does the word constructive mean in paragraph 7?

• Necessary for the future

• Useful for answering questions

• Effective for anticipating problems

• Beneficial for achieving an outcome

Which sentence supports the belief that online education will be more widespread in the future?

• Students involved in extracurricular activities, those who have been hospitalized, or those who are behind in earning required credits can meet their educational needs through enrollment in online classes.

• U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan believes so strongly in virtual education that he helped budget $500 million for the development of online precollege and college courses over the next 10 years.

• A 2009 Department of Education report suggests that students enrolled in online classes performed better than those in traditional schools.

• This “classroom” experience is far different than anything they did in school.

The author includes the description of Samantha working on her laptop in paragraph 1 most likely to —

• provide an example for readers who are unfamiliar with online classes

• explain to readers the process of logging on to online classes

• illustrate the steps involved in completing an online assignment

• suggest that interactive videos are an important part of online assignments