Top Recommendations by Judges for Online Court-Ordered Classes The judiciary has embraced technology over the years to increase accessibility and efficiency in many aspects of legal proceedings. One of the fastest-growing areas is online court-ordered classes. These web-based educational courses have become a popular alternative to traditional in-person courses, offering convenience and flexibility for individuals required to complete court-mandated education. Judges from several states have taken notice of the potential advantages of these classes online and have begun to make some staple recommendations for the classes in case types. Top Recommendations by Judges for Online Court-Ordered Classes With the increasing utilization of online court-ordered classes, judges have established some common recommendations that help guide their implementation and use within the legal system. These suggestions go toward ensuring that digital education programs serve their purpose most effectively while retaining the integrity and purpose of court-mandated learning.

Ensure Course Accreditation and Quality A final highly important recommendation insisted upon by the judiciary in court-ordered online classes includes stringent requirements in terms of high-quality accreditation of such courses. Judges insist on having course development and facilitation done by reputable organizations or businesses that are indeed knowledgeable in a particular subject. Their aim with these recommendations is to keep online class deliveries current with educational integrity and legitimacy parallel to existing classroom versions of court-ordered programs. To help assuage this concern, many judges recommend that courts have some way to vet online course providers. This would involve reviewing course content, instructor qualifications, and technological infrastructure used in delivering the programs. By doing so, the courts can help ensure that participants receive meaningful education relevant to the goals of their sentencing. Tailor Programs to Individual Needs Another common recommendation among judges is tailoring online court-ordered classes to suit the needs of individual participants. Though standardized curricula have their place, judges know that different offenders may need more or less education on one aspect or another of a topic. For this reason, many judges recommend incorporating adaptive learning technologies that adjust course content based on the participant’s progress and comprehension. This tailored model of online education may better serve the diverse backgrounds and learning styles of those who must undergo court-ordered classes. By allowing for some sense of personalization, judges believe that participants will be more apt to engage with the course materials in a meaningful manner and derive more authentic value from the educational experience. Allow for More Robust Verification Methods Judges consistently emphasize the need for robust verification measures to ensure that individuals are completing their assigned online court-ordered classes. 87% of judges reported an increased use of remote technology in court proceedings since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift towards digital platforms has heightened the importance of reliable verification methods for online educational programs. Other recommendations in the field include biometric authentication, including face recognition or fingerprinting to validate the identity of the learners during course sessions. The judges may also recommend random knowledge checks or require the participants to complete timed assignments that can be accessed only within a window. These measures are in place to prevent fraud and to ensure that the person is actually working through the course material, rather than simply logging on and allowing the program to run in the background. Encourage Interactive and Engaging Content For this reason, many judges highly recommend making the curriculum for online court-ordered classes both interactive and engaging. Such recommendations arise out of the realization that passive learning will not be effective in bringing about attitudinal changes or retaining knowledge

through mere text-based learning. Instead, judges would advise on the use of multimedia elements such as videos, simulations, and interactive exercises that make the learning experience more engaging and memorable. Some judges have gone so far as to suggest that classes include virtual reality or augmented reality technologies. Such innovative technologies can greatly enhance the sense of realism and the opportunity for practice participants to learn how to apply what they are learning. For instance, a defensive driving class could be created using virtual reality that places individuals in several different traffic scenarios, which they must respond to appropriately to stay safe. Many judges, therefore, recommend online court-ordered classes that include provisions for ongoing support and resources, realizing that education is just the first step in deeper-set issues. It is a recognition that participants might need more assistance or guidance beyond the course duration to fully integrate into daily life what they will have learned. To that end, judges indicate that an online course could include follow-up check-ins, access to counseling services, or links to community resources related to the course topic. With such ancillary support, courts can enhance the likelihood of long-term outcomes for participants and reduce recidivism. Encourage Interaction and Support among Peers Online classes have been considered convenient, though sometimes at the loss of some forms of social interaction or peer interaction and support inherent in a regular classroom environment. For this reason, so many judges who suggest online classes will include components to be implemented on how there would be an interactive effect of peer level within their overall sentencing. Such recommendations will apply the philosophy behind establishing community-building or shared experience in some cases involving the most sensitive topic, like substance abuse or even anger management. Recommendations in this line often include introducing moderated discussion forums, virtual group sessions, or peer mentoring programs within the online learning platform. By facilitating these connections, judges believe that participants can benefit from shared experiences, mutual support, and diverse perspectives, enhancing the overall educational experience. Ensure Accessibility for All Participants One of the key suggestions that judges made for court-ordered online classes is to keep in mind accessibility for all participants at all levels of technological proficiency and access to resources. That would take into consideration that people do not all have the same access to computers, high-speed internet, or even the digital literacy necessary to access the online learning platform efficiently. To help alleviate these concerns, judges will sometimes recommend that courts provide access options to classes if participants have access to smartphones or tablets and even offer some technical support services or loaner devices with the technology. Indeed, if they prioritize

accessibility, this transition to online education will not inadvertently create any barriers or further the disproportionate burdens that already exist within justice. Final Thoughts Judges are working to ensure that online court-ordered classes meet the same high standards as their traditional counterparts while leveraging the unique advantages offered by digital platforms. The focus is on key areas: course quality, customization, verification, engagement, ongoing support, peer interaction, and accessibility. As these recommendations are continually refined and implemented, further improvements in the delivery and impact of court-mandated education will be expected to contribute toward more effective rehabilitation and lower recidivism rates within the justice system.