WASHINGTON (Map) - WASHINGTON, Aug. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The North American Council for Online Learning (NACOL) is pleased to announce the release of a new report, Socialization in Online Programs, providing research on socialization issues in online learning and highlighting case studies. This paper explores the research and issues around socialization in online schools and how online programs are addressing these issues. This is the third report in the NACOL Promising Practices in Online Learning series.

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Online schools put significant resources into creating ways to foster social interaction. This effort stems in part from the concern that students may otherwise be isolated, but it also builds on the recognition that the online environment is a natural way for 21st century students to interact and that the Internet allows for new student-student interactions across geographical boundaries that transcend beyond what is possible within physical school settings.

Susan Patrick, President of NACOL, states, "Online programs offer socialization opportunities that go beyond what many traditional schools can provide. Understanding the realities of how the online environment eliminates, or greatly reduces, issues that may create social friction with kids, such as appearance, physical disabilities, gender, age, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status -- can enhance a student's ability to focus on academic progress in their courses while engaging in rich discussions and projects with classmates they might never have the opportunity to know otherwise."

Students participate in science competitions, project-based learning, field trips to museums, and global opportunities for learning with students overseas and build a strong network connecting online with peers from diverse backgrounds.

According to author John Watson, of Evergreen Consulting Associates, "Online learning's capacity to foster interaction and collaboration among a diverse and geographically dispersed group of students is among its most positive attributes."

NACOL's Promising Practices in Online Learning Series is supported by K12 Inc., Apex Learning, Connections Academy, and Florida Virtual School.

About NACOL

The North American Council for Online Learning (NACOL) is an international K-12 non-profit association advocating online learning to increase access to high quality education and represents the interests of educational stakeholders, providers and students worldwide (www.nacol.org). NACOL is the host of the Virtual School Symposium, October 26-28, 2008 in Phoenix, AZ (www.virtualschoolsymposium.org).