Each student taking an online course is as unique as the many reasons why online learning is a perfect fit for them. Some students take online courses because they enjoy using technology or they want to take advanced courses that are not offered at their school. Others take online courses because they need to make up missing credits or just don’t thrive in a traditional brick and mortar environment. So how to you keep such a diverse population motivated? Believe it our not, keeping online students motivated is surprisingly similar to keeping students motivated in a traditional setting. We keep students motivated by showing them that we genuinely care about their success.
Although many people will tout “actions speak louder than words” we don’t just stop there we also tell our students upfront that we care about their success and are here to help. How do we do this? By working together with our district partners to make sure that students and their parents are informed about their districts online program and what the district hopes to achieve by offering students an online alternative.
We make sure that students know how to use the tools they have at their disposal and are comfortable in the online learning environment. Our 24/7 support staff ensures that students have adequate support when they encounter problems. Our teachers clearly state what is expected of each student and our platform provides tools so that students can track and monitor their progress. We show students that they are valued by answering questions as quickly as possible. Whether it is a support staff member showing a student how to download a required application or a teacher responding to a rough draft or just letting a student know that they have received a paper, we respond promptly. By using a variety of communication methods, such as instant help, a virtual chalkboard, an internal messaging system, and of course “ma bell” our certified teaching staff provides constructive feedback and take pleasure in watching our students’ thought processes develop as their level of understanding increases. Our ultimate goal is to leave no doubt in the students’ mind that we want to see them succeed and will do all we can to help them meet their academic goals.
How to you keep your students motivated?
Posted by:
Barbara Thornton
Customer Support Manager
Advanced Academics, Inc.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Getting Through to Students
Have you ever wished in your traditional classroom setting that you could just get through to that silent student sitting in the corner who never asks questions and consistently does poorly on his /her homework? You mean to get to him/her everyday but there is never enough time because just as you were walking toward him/her the bell rang or there was a fire drill or the principal called everyone out for an assembly.
At Advanced Academics, the teachers truly work one-on-one with every student. No student is left sitting in the corner. We, at Advanced Academics, reach out to encourage all students to work or to answer questions that the student might have. I feel that as an online teacher I am much more accessible to students who need me than I ever was before. The students feel that they can ask more questions because no one is there to ridicule them or interrupt them. They can learn in their own way and at their own rate instead of having to keep up with all of the other students.
Good evidence of this is when we get to talk face-to-face with our students. One of Advanced Academics’ students stopped into our office today to meet his teachers. He has completed all of his courses and is graduating from the program. He said that he felt that online high school was actually better for him than traditional schools because of the personal attention he received. What a great feeling to have proof like this that our students are succeeding in a non-traditional setting!
Posted By:
Roberta McKerlie
Education Director
Advanced Academics, Inc.
At Advanced Academics, the teachers truly work one-on-one with every student. No student is left sitting in the corner. We, at Advanced Academics, reach out to encourage all students to work or to answer questions that the student might have. I feel that as an online teacher I am much more accessible to students who need me than I ever was before. The students feel that they can ask more questions because no one is there to ridicule them or interrupt them. They can learn in their own way and at their own rate instead of having to keep up with all of the other students.
Good evidence of this is when we get to talk face-to-face with our students. One of Advanced Academics’ students stopped into our office today to meet his teachers. He has completed all of his courses and is graduating from the program. He said that he felt that online high school was actually better for him than traditional schools because of the personal attention he received. What a great feeling to have proof like this that our students are succeeding in a non-traditional setting!
Posted By:
Roberta McKerlie
Education Director
Advanced Academics, Inc.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Counseling in an online environment
I recently accepted a position with Advanced Academics as an online student counselor. Having several years experience in both secondary and post secondary education at traditional schools, I was a bit skeptical entering into an online environment. To my surprise, the transition was much simpler than I could imagine.
Most counseling at an online institution occurs over email, instant messaging, or phone calls, as opposed to face to face interaction at a traditional brick and mortar school. I have found that the online experience is no less comprehensive or fulfilling for me or the student. As advancements in technology improve, the ability to effectively and globally communicate one-on-one with a student is as easy as a click of a mouse.
At Advanced Academics, I have a variety of tools available to me that enable me to provide students with the counseling they need in a safe, secure environment. Whether I “talk” with the student using our Instant Help program which allows for synchronous messaging, or if I use the Instant Help audio/visual chat function, where I can literally speak to my student’s face to face, I can use any medium that is most convenient for the student and their family. Additionally, our internal email system, ClassMail, allows me to communicate with my students without worry of invalid email addresses or spam blockers.
While many people believe that a certain level of caring is lost in online learning, my experience tells me that’s not the case. Without the constraints of time, space, or location, I have the ability to counsel students about their course schedule, scholarship applications, CLEP testing, or college applications as effectively as I could in person. Yes, it’s possible that I might never hear my students’ voices, or see their faces, but these facts don’t diminish my concern for their success and well-being or my ability to provide effective counsel.
Have you ever utilized online learning as a student, teacher, administrator or counselor? What about the experience was most surprising for you?
Posted By:
Fachaitte Kinslow
Counselor
Advanced Academics, Inc.
Most counseling at an online institution occurs over email, instant messaging, or phone calls, as opposed to face to face interaction at a traditional brick and mortar school. I have found that the online experience is no less comprehensive or fulfilling for me or the student. As advancements in technology improve, the ability to effectively and globally communicate one-on-one with a student is as easy as a click of a mouse.
At Advanced Academics, I have a variety of tools available to me that enable me to provide students with the counseling they need in a safe, secure environment. Whether I “talk” with the student using our Instant Help program which allows for synchronous messaging, or if I use the Instant Help audio/visual chat function, where I can literally speak to my student’s face to face, I can use any medium that is most convenient for the student and their family. Additionally, our internal email system, ClassMail, allows me to communicate with my students without worry of invalid email addresses or spam blockers.
While many people believe that a certain level of caring is lost in online learning, my experience tells me that’s not the case. Without the constraints of time, space, or location, I have the ability to counsel students about their course schedule, scholarship applications, CLEP testing, or college applications as effectively as I could in person. Yes, it’s possible that I might never hear my students’ voices, or see their faces, but these facts don’t diminish my concern for their success and well-being or my ability to provide effective counsel.
Have you ever utilized online learning as a student, teacher, administrator or counselor? What about the experience was most surprising for you?
Posted By:
Fachaitte Kinslow
Counselor
Advanced Academics, Inc.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Online P.E.Classes?
Yes, you read the title of this blog correctly, online physical education (P.E.) classes are not only possible, but now they are also available from Advanced Academics. Many high schools across the country require one or more P.E. credits to be applied towards high school graduation, and with so many students taking part or all of their required courses online, it just makes sense to have P.E. also. Before you start thinking that we’ll be wiring students up to their computers and filming their every jumping jack and push-up, let us explain a little more about the nature of the online P.E. classes we’ll be offering.
Through a partnership with Carone Fitness (http://www.caronefitness.com/) we are offering students a number of options to meet their P.E. requirements. Within each semester course, students are required to exercise a minimum of 3 hours a week for 12 weeks. Students also respond to discussion topics, research health issues, and report on their exercise progress. To keep students honest, we ask them and their parents to sign a contract with us to guarantee their results are true.
So, without a requirement for gym shorts and non-marking soles on their sneakers, students will have a great experience. We’ll supply a certified teacher on the other end to still blow a whistle as needed…
What do you think about students taking P.E. Online?
Posted By:
Kevin Jones
Curriculum & Instruction Director
Advanced Academics, Inc.
Through a partnership with Carone Fitness (http://www.caronefitness.com/) we are offering students a number of options to meet their P.E. requirements. Within each semester course, students are required to exercise a minimum of 3 hours a week for 12 weeks. Students also respond to discussion topics, research health issues, and report on their exercise progress. To keep students honest, we ask them and their parents to sign a contract with us to guarantee their results are true.
So, without a requirement for gym shorts and non-marking soles on their sneakers, students will have a great experience. We’ll supply a certified teacher on the other end to still blow a whistle as needed…
What do you think about students taking P.E. Online?
Posted By:
Kevin Jones
Curriculum & Instruction Director
Advanced Academics, Inc.
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