Learning Ecosystems

Pape and others said the Virtual High School concept is a perfect blend of screen and face-to-face class time that prepares students for college. Similar online efforts are gaining ground elsewhere as well; New Hampshire’s Virtual Learning Academy, for example, has more than 7,000 students.

The Virtual High School proves that the Internet is not just about downloading, Pape said: “It’s about creating.’’

The International Association of K-12 Online Learning, meanwhile, says 10 percent of all courses will be computer-based by 2014, and in 2019 about 50 percent will be online.

Additionally, educational technology consultant Ambient Learning says 2 million American high school students are already learning online, a number expected to jump to 10 million by 2014.