The sense of community and quality of education that Catholic schools deliver through in-person instruction is part of what makes them special. That said, teacher shortages, budget constraints, enrollment pressures, and other challenges are making it harder for Catholic schools to deliver on their mission by relying solely on in-person instruction. As a result, many Catholic schools are embracing new educational technology (computer hardware, software, and methodologies used to advance learning), and making online learning part of their curriculum — ultimately, improving the Catholic school experience for students in many ways.

More strategic use of in-person classroom time 
When the textbook was first introduced, it revolutionized the classroom by giving teachers a way to pass information to students without taking up class time. Educational technology can serve a similar purpose by allowing teachers to “flip” the learning experience, shifting the delivery of instructional content outside the classroom, and reserving class time for more strategic work. Students can view online lectures at home, and teachers can spend time in class delving deeper into topics, building rapport, engaging students, and helping them connect what was learned at home to more complex concepts and higher-order thinking.

Enhanced support for individualized learning 
Online learning makes individualized learning possible with a flexible and personalized educational experience. Students can access a wide range of online information that can be tailored to their interests, needs, and learning styles. Online learning allows students to move through lessons at a pace that is better suited to their abilities—they can move faster through content they have mastered and spend more time on topics that are more of a challenge. Online learning also allows students access to resources and other students at any time of day and without geographic limitations.

Course catalog expansion to support student growth
Providing students with the breadth and depth of courses that meet the needs and goals of all students is a challenge for many Catholic schools. Some students may express interest in, for example, technology, arts, or Advanced Placement® courses, but a qualified teacher is not available or there are not enough interested students to justify offering it. By supplementing in-person offerings with classes provided through a qualified online-learning partner, schools can access the classes they need, without worrying about class size or having to support courses with teachers or a technology platform. Also, by partnering with an online-learning organization that meets the required criteria, schools may have access to external funding to support educational choice.

A larger pool of qualified educators
Teacher shortages are making it more difficult for many schools to find qualified educators. By making online learning part of the curriculum, schools aren’t confined to educators within their geographic area. Instead, schools can leverage teachers and subject-matter experts from anywhere. Using video conferencing, in-person teachers can enrich their lessons with outside guest speakers and experts. For example, when introducing the topic of free speech to students, teachers could invite a first amendment scholar from their alma mater or an attorney who has argued first amendment cases in front of the Supreme Court to join over video. Schools can also hire teachers outside of the area to teach remotely, or partner with an accredited, Catholic online-learning provider to access their pool of quality, Catholic-school trained educators.

Real-world preparation for students
In today’s increasingly digital world, students need to be prepared and comfortable with online modalities for learning and working. According to one study, 46% of higher education courses are taught online, while another 33% blend face-to-face and online methods. Remote working environments are just as popular, with 58% of Americans having the option to work remotely. Catholic schools provide their students with the spiritual and academic footing they need to succeed in the real world — and digital prowess is now also a part of their responsibility. By giving students the opportunity to access content online, take online courses, and communicate through digital platforms, Catholic schools are helping students gain the independent learning, time management, executive function, and virtual collaboration skills they need to succeed throughout their academic and professional careers.

Deeper faith formation and learning
While the classroom is an engaging place for students to build on their faith and knowledge of the Catholic religion, an online environment is too. Digital lectures and courses that are designed specifically for remote, online use are built to engage students in unique ways with multimedia content, thoughtful narratives, digital assessments, and other strategies that may not be as accessible in an in-person environment. Online-learning programs also allow schools to access religious education courses that may not otherwise be available to students or to provide Catholic training to the community of parents and others who prefer remote participation.

The Catholic school experience of today
There’s no denying the role technology plays in education. From the introduction of the radio, the overhead projector, and handheld calculator to copy machines, Scantron testing, the internet, and personal computers — we have seen how technologies help schools advance student learning and overcome challenges. This trend continues today. With the strength and availability of educational technologies that support online learning, Catholic schools have an opportunity to once again harness the power of technology for the advancement of their students and school.