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Three Clicks and You’re I n... To 3 rd Party P roviders. Katie Leach Weatherly Area School District. Why Did we do it?. Strengthen and Support our Curriculum Best possible choice economically Gifted students benefit Seniors - Credit Recovery. More Reasons!. PSSA Preparation
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Three Clicks and You’re In...To 3rdParty Providers • Katie Leach • Weatherly Area School District
Why Did we do it? • Strengthen and Support our Curriculum • Best possible choice economically • Gifted students benefit • Seniors - Credit Recovery
More Reasons! • PSSA Preparation • Alleviate overcrowded classrooms • Give teachers chance to teach specialty
Third party providers • Learning Lamp • Advanced Academics • Keystone National • Carnegie Learning • Learning Springs
AP Courses • AP US History • AP World History • AP European History • AP Environmental Science • AP Statistics • AP Biology
Languages • Japanese I • Latin I and II • French I • Spanish I and III • German II and III • Spanish IV
Regular Courses • Geography • Earth Science/Earth Science • Nutrition and Wellness • Music Theory/Art Theory • Driver’s Education (in class only)
Cost for Online Course List Price Regular Education Course = start at $289 AP Courses = start at $499 Driver’s Ed = $89 (one semester course), price can be negotiated
Organization • Classes follow our school year, 180 days • Students sign up for class period during the day • Students can also work at home • Teacher will need computer lab, classroom or library for classes.
Preparing students • Choose students who are willing to try it • Create district online introduction course • Drop students early if they fall behind
The Surprises!! Final Grade = 22
Grading Issues • What grade to you give? • Pass or Fail • Incomplete if percentage is not met • Give parents access to course?
Online Teachers • Could not locate a Math teacher • Some do not grade on time • Some do not communicate with students • Unusual emails
More Surprises! No Extra Credit! Work completed, now what? No Internet at home Must work, can’t get online Progress reports troubles
More Surprises?!?! Negative Teacher Reaction Drop Outs...$$$$ Student Accountability Eyes are needed but how much?
What We Did Right! • Give students the choice to pick their own course • Give them this online opportunity, even if they are not your best students • Offer as many choices as possible • Keep them on schedule
What We Did Wrong! • Signed up students without asking them or letting them know it was an online course • Let them go at their own speed (slow) • Paid full bill at the beginning of the year • Slowest computers in the school • NEVER say, “At your own pace”
What to Watch ForPosted by Laura Devaney, 1/4/13 in Featured superintendent’s Center, Online Learning, Professional Development (PD), Superintendent’s Center, Top News • Reporting Tools/progress monitoring • Availability of teachers to assist struggling students • Instructors who are well-trained in delivering online courses • Offering rigorous and engaging curriculum
Alternative ideas • Start your own cyber school using your teachers • See if your IU is working on a project • http://project10.wikispaces.com • Video conferencing with another school