Q. What is Virtual Learning?
A. The Virtual Learning program is a Web-based educational project providing instructor-led online courses to students.
Q. How long do the classes last?
A. The online class schedules coincide with the regular school schedule. That is to say, courses begin on or about the same day as regular classes...and end on or about the same day. Most courses mirror their traditional counterparts in duration, generally one full year. Class curriculum, resources and materials can all be accessed any time of day or night, however.
Q. What grade level should I be?
A. Each course is designed for specific grade levels. Please see the course description in the course catalog for details.
Q. Are the courses entirely online?
A. Yes, there will be no face-to-face component of these classes. You will be expected to interact (via phone, chat, discussion, messaging, etc.) with fellow students and your instructor perhaps more than in a traditional class.
Q. How many online courses can I take at one time?
A. Students can take one to six classes online.
Q. How do online courses compare with traditional courses?
A. Virtual Learning courses are as rigorous, if not more so, than traditional "brick & mortar" classes. Students will have to be more self-disciplined, in fact, than traditional classes. Many of the features of traditional classes will be found in online classes--such features as class participation, homework, group collaboration, testing, etc.
Q. What are the deadlines for enrollment?
A. Enrollment is on a first-come/first-served basis. Enrollment will end when all classes are filled or on the 15th day of the semsester.
Q. Will I get credit for online courses?
A. Definitely. The online courses will provide the same credits as traditional classes.
Q. What are the features of the online program?
A.The program features:
- Ease of use ? Students can access the online system with minimal prior technological experience.
- Quality instruction ? Curriculum is developed by top instructors in the region.
- Flexibility ? Instruction will utilize digital presentations, video and audio materials, Flash interactivity and more.
- Accountability ? The online system provides a number of statistics on individual students and the class which allows for participation reporting, tracking and monitoring of time students spend online.
- Parental observation - Parents (as observers) may access student grades and course content, but not participate in activities.
- Collaboration ? Students and instructors can participate in free-form chat, chat lectures, questions and answer chats, archives, white boarding, class tours, and group web browsing.
- Threaded Discussion Forums ? The online system allows students and instructors the ability to share concepts, ideas, questions and answers.
- Online assessments ? Students may participate in a variety of assessments including: multiple question formats, including multiple choice, multiple answer, true/false, matching, ordering, fill-in the blank and short answer/essay, and ePortfolio. Grades are securely accessible to individual student (and parents) via the online gradebook.
Q. What computer skills do I need?
A. Online Learning is very user-friendly!
Students should be successful with basic computer skills, including:
- Ability to work within a Windows or Macintosh system environment
- Ability to navigate the Internet using a standard browser
- Familiarity with standard e-mail and word-processing programs.
Q. Do I need access to a computer?
A. Yes, at the very least you'll need access to a computer lab at your school. It's highly recommended that you have a functional system at home as well.
Q. What kind of computer do I need?
A. Although the following minimum configurations are provided, it's highly recommended that you have access to a more powerful workstation.:
Recommended Minimum ConfigurationsPC: 200Mhz+ processor, 800x600 monitor (1024x768 recommended), 56k dialup connection or higher
Macintosh: G3 (running OS X), 800x600 monitor (1024x768 recommended), 56k dialup connection or higher
Q. What technical support is offered by the district?
A. While we can supoprt the computers used in your school, we cannot be responsible for supporting any technology that is not district property.
Q. What software do I need?
A. At the very least you'll need an Internet browser (such as Internet Explorer) and "Office-like" tools (such as a word processor and spreadsheet application).
Q. What kind of Internet connection do I need?
A. Although it's possible to get by with a 56k dialup Internet connection, it's highly recommended that students have some form of broadband connection (cable, DSL).
Q. Do I need any browser plugins?
A. Some course content may require specific plugins in order to be displayed properly in a Web browser.
Q. What is Blackboard?
A. Blackboard is an easy-to-use online course management system. Blackboard delivers tools that enable you to provide your students with course materials, discussion boards, virtual chat, as well as online assessments. You can incorporate word processing, audio and video, spreadsheets, and presentation files into your course without learning HTML.
Q. How do I print in Blackboard?
A. Printing in Blackboard is the same as printing on other Internet sites. Since Blackboard uses frames to divide up the screen you need to first click the area of the page that you want to be printed. Rather than clicking on the print icon on the browser tool bar, you have more control over what you print by choosing File --> Print from the browsers menu bar. From there you can make selections about what you want to print (e.g. all pages, one page, a range of pages).
Platform: Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT, ME; Mac OS 9 or Mac OS X
Hardware: 64 MB of RAM and 1 G of free disk space
Software: (may vary from course to course) Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat Reader Browser: Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher (Java and cookies must be enabled.)
Modem: 56K or higher
Q.I'm having trouble taking online tests/quizzes. How do I fix it?
A. If you're experiencing problems when taking online tests/quizzes, here are a few things to look for that may be the source of the problem. 1) Make sure no pop-up blockers are installed or currently running on the system. 2) Make sure the system is free from Spyware/Adware by using free scanning utilities such as Ad-aware or Spybot Search & Destroy. 3) Clear the browsers cache and delete any temporary Internet files.