CCPS Online Program Student/Parent Information

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CCPS Online Program

Contact: Heidi Kaminsky ([email protected]) Page 1

CCPS Online Program

2013-14

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CCPS Online Program

Welcome Letter………..………..……….. p. 3

The ABCs of Online Learning………..…………. p. 4

Common Misconceptions of Online Learning………..…… p. 5

Student Readiness Survey………..……….. p. 6

Orientation ………. p. 7

Tips for successful online learning………..……. p. 8

Online Learning FAQ………..……… p. 9

CCPS Acceptable Use Policy………. p. 10

*Student Code of Conduct for Online Learning………...……….….. p. 11

*Parent/Student Contract……….…..……….. p. 12

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C

alvert

C

ounty

P

ublic

S

chools

Nancy V. Highsmith, Interim Superintendent of Schools 1305 Dares Beach Road Prince Frederick, MD 20678 Telephone: (410) 535-1700 (301) 855-1834 FAX: (410) 535-7298 TDD: (410) 535-6852 http://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us

Eugene M. Karol, President  Kelly D. McConkey, Vice President

Dawn C. Balinski  Joseph R. Chenelly Tracy H. McGuire  Edward G. Town, Student Member

Dear Students and Families:

You are about to embark on an exciting shift in education, one that will move learning beyond the traditional classroom and into the online world of communication with access to a myriad of resources. We at Calvert County Public Schools are pleased to offer our students the opportunity to take online courses in which they will learn the course content as well as the skills of working and collaborating online—abilities that are increasingly necessary for college and career success in the digital era.

William A. Draves and Julie Coates, authors of Nine Shift: Work, Life and Education in the 21st_{Century, write, “In}

the 21st_{century, online learning will constitute 50% of all learning and education,” in part because “Learners} learn more, while working at their own speed, time, and manner, over the Internet.” Understanding the impact of this shift can be a challenge for those of us educated in traditional classrooms. As I reflect on my own education, I recall a few teachers who had a profound influence on me, not because of the content they taught me but because they cared about me and my future options. Are these relationships lost in the world of online learning? Not in the least. Online courses ironically often offer more opportunity for interaction with the teacher and with other students through online discussions and individual correspondence. In addition,

students who enroll in our online courses will have an eCoach, a teacher in the student’s home school—not the teacher of the online course—who will help him or her navigate the online learning environment and stay in touch with the online teacher.

Calvert County Public Schools is committed to providing a quality education that will prepare our students for the path of their choice upon graduation. As we begin our online learning program, we maintain that

commitment to quality and student success. I encourage families to talk to friends and colleagues who have participated in online learning activities, and I encourage students to talk to others who have taken online courses as you decide whether this approach is right for you. I wish you well as you make your decision. Sincerely,

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CCPS Online Program

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CCPS Online Program

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CCPS Online Program

Student Readiness Survey

Before enrolling you in an online course, your guidance counselor will have you take an

online learning readiness survey. This interactive survey will take approximately 15

minutes to complete. The survey is intended to help you assess whether or not online

learning is for you. Online courses may not be the most appropriate learning

environments for all students. Your answers to the survey questions will not be the only

determining factor in your enrollment. They have been designed to raise your own

awareness of what will be expected of you,

and to help CCPS ensure that you understand.

The survey is divided into four sections,

Motivation & Attitude, Support, Technical

Skills, and Academic Preparedness & Learning

Style. Once you have completed the survey

and printed out your score, your guidance

counselor will review your results with you.

Orientation to Online Learning

Once you have taken the Student Readiness Survey, you will go over this Student Parent

eLearning Packet with your parents. Once you and your parents have decided to enroll

you in an online course, you will turn in your signed Student Code of Conduct and

Parent/Student Online Learning Contract (Pages 11 & 12 of this booklet). Prior to the

beginning of the school year (or semester), you will receive an email from with your

login information for our district Learning

Management System, Moodle. You are

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CCPS Online Program

CCPS Tips for a Successful Online

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CCPS Online Program

CCPS Tips for a Successful Online Learning Experience

Strategies for Success

Strategy #1: Participate

You must be prepared to participate fully in the communication methods utilized within your course. Get to know your fellow students on the computer. Share your

experiences and opinions while giving thoughtful feedback with the learning community.

Strategy #2: Manage Your Time

You will have to utilize your time management skills and pace yourself in order to have all assignments and activities completed and submitted on time. Online courses often require more dedicated time than traditional courses.

Strategy #3: Find a Study Buddy

It is very helpful, especially if this is your first online course, to take the class with a friend so you can remind one another of deadlines, help each other stay motivated, and share ideas and experiences.

Strategy #4: Practice Your Netiquette

Network etiquette (netiquette) is a set of rules or manners people live by in an online community. You should:

→Keep discussion areas focused on the topic given →Use appropriate subject lines

→Keep personal discussions separate →Respond respectfully to others opinions

→Disagree with kindness

→Avoid “shouting” (capital letters)

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CCPS Online Program

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When will my class meet and when do I work in an online course?

You will be able to access the course 24/7. Unless you are an early release student, your online course will be written into your schedule at a time that works best with your other classes. You will be

assigned a room to report to every day supervised by an emonitor.

How is an online course different from one taught in a traditional classroom setting?

Online courses follow a curriculum and learning outcomes closely aligned with CCPS traditional

courses. The teaching is conducted online with the teacher separated from the student by time and/or distance. The teacher communicates with the student through email and online. The courses are interactive and provide a wide variety of activities, assignments, and assessments.

Do these online courses meet state and local standards?

CCPS only offers online courses that have been approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Each course has been reviewed by a panel of highly qualified teachers who examined it for alignment with state and national content standards and assessments and for alignment with MSDE instructional design standards.

Will I get a grade and course credit?

The same grading and credit policies apply to an online course as to a course offered at school. Online PIV grades are NOT on the same PIV login as your high school classes. Your counselor will have a “CCPS Online Program” login for you.

Who will be teaching the course?

All online courses are taught by highly qualified teachers who have been trained to teach in an online environment. This teacher may be based at any CCPS school.

What if I need help with the course content?

Your online teacher will tell you the best times in which they can be reached online. Your eCoach will help you develop a strategy for opening communication lines with your teacher.

What is the cost for an online course?

At this time, CCPS will be offering these courses to interested students free of charge.

When am I eligible to enroll in an online course?

You may enroll in an online course if you are in grades 10-12, as space allows. You must complete the

Student Online Readiness Survey (See your counselor), which will help determine if online learning is

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CCPS Online Program

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CCPS Online Program

Student Code of Conduct for Online Learning

All CCPS students are expected to follow the Code of Student Conduct and your understanding of this is confirmed by your signature on the “Statement of Understanding.” This applies also applies to the online learning environment. Like any other CCPS student, you are expected to follow the highest standards of honesty and integrity.

Online academic integrity depends on a mutual trust between online teachers, eCoaches (mentors), eMonitors, students and parents. Any student who attempts to cheat, plagiarize, falsify information, or receive credit for work he or she did not do will be dealt with accordingly by the online teacher, eCoach, eMonitor, and/or CCPS administration.

Types of behavior that do not demonstrate academic integrity include the following examples: 1. Plagiarism is the act of representing another’s ideas, words, expressions, or data in writing or

presentation without properly acknowledging the source.

2. Submitting work through the use of another student’s password/login. Student logins/passwords are confidential information that should not be shared with others. Any assignments, work or projects posted while using another student’s login will be considered plagiarism.

3. Cheating (intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized material, assistance, or study aids in any academic work). Cheating includes when a student copies another student’s work and then submits it as his or her own work.

4. Completing work or taking an examination for another student OR having another person do the work or take an exam.

5. Falsification and/or misrepresentation of data by submitting false data or sources.

6. Computer crimes include damaging computer programs, hacking, constructing viruses, introducing viruses into a system, or copying programs.

7. Inappropriate use of email, discussion forums, or synchronous course chat rooms.

A student engaging in behaviors which do not uphold CCPS academic integrity will be reported to the student’s home school by the online teacher. Student consequences will follow CCPS Policies and Procedures #1112

(Administration) Regarding Student Discipline. In some cases, a student may face removal from the online

course.

By signing below, I am stating that I understand the Student Code of Conduct for Online Learning.

__________________________________________ _______________________________________

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CCPS Online Program

Parent/Student Online Learning Contract 2013-14

As a CCPS student enrolled in an online course, I agree to the following expectations:

I will login and fully participate in my course as required.

I understand that I will receive my assignments via the Internet through the designated Learning Management System. I will complete them according to my online teacher’s schedule.

I understand that I will be working independently and I must motivate myself to login to my course daily. I will check in with my eMonitor daily during the designated class period to complete my online work

and abide by their rules while under their supervision.

I will submit assignments in accordance with due dates set up by my online teacher. I must login and work a minimum of 6 hours per week/course.

I understand that I will need to check in with my eCoach a minimum of two times a week.

I understand that online courses and grades will be on PIV under “CCPS Online Program” and included in my transcript and grade point average.

I will inform my online teacher, and/or eCoach in a timely manner if I am experiencing technical difficulties, navigational difficulties, and/or academic difficulties in my course.

I will inform my online teacher and eCoach of any absences and make up missed work as required. I will use courteous language when communicating with my online teacher.

I will use the school network and equipment in compliance with the CCPS Acceptable Use of Computer

Systems and Other Communication Media Policies and Procedures #2718 (Instruction).

I will complete the Orientation to Online Learning prior to the start of the school year or semester. I will check the email address I have provided below daily.

By signing below, I am stating that I understand this contract and will be committed to my online learning.

__________________________________________ _______________________________________

Student Signature Date Parent/Guardian Signature Date

__________________________________________ _______________________________________

CCPS Online Program Student/Parent Information