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How does an online class work? How does an online class work?In a classroom you often learn by listening. Online courses are different. Instead of learning by listening, you will learn by doing; by reading, writing, and other learning activities designed by your instructor. In online courses, students "attend" class by accessing the class web pages and completing assignments according to the class schedule. Students communicate regularly with the instructor and classmates via e-mail and online discussion forums. This class format is very flexible for busy schedules due to the fact that many times you can log on to the course at any time of the day (or night). However, certain computer skills and a degree of determination (no procrastination) are necessary to be successful. It comes as a big surprise to many online students that they actually have more contact with their fellow students online than they would in the regular classroom. This is because there are all kinds of ways for students to interact online: discussion board, email, group activities, etc. It can be fun to meet students - and it can also be a great way to broaden your learning experience. Many online courses give more opportunities for personal feedback than you would receive in a traditional classroom. You will receive grades in your online course, but you might also encounter other kinds of feedback that might be new to you. For example, your fellow students might be reading and responding to your work. You might receive more comments than usual (both formal and informal) from your instructor. How can I be successful in my online class?Students learning online have a greater responsibility for their own success than students in traditional classroom settings. It is important that you have the self-discipline and self-motivation to work with a flexible schedule without getting behind. It is also important for online students to be comfortable using e-mail, the World Wide Web, and word processors. Attitude , skills and persistence determine whether a student will be a good candidate for the online experience. The student must be self-motivated, self-directed and willing to work collaboratively in an online environment. Good written communication skills and a minimum level of technological experience are necessary. The student must be willing to commit the time necessary to stay current, and he/she must have access to the necessary equipment. How do I enroll in an online course?There are two ways to enroll. 1. Stay enrolled at your school and take online classes. Students can take 1 to 6 semester credits in an approved Online Learning (OLL) program or school and maintain their enrollment at their current school. The student’s current school is called the enrolling school and the OLL school is called the online learning provider. The enrolling school has the right to reduce the student’s instruction in proportion to the OLL courses taken. To take classes online while enrolled in your current school you must first find a MN approved Online Learning Provider*. A list of approved providers can be found by linking to Find K-12 Online Courses and searching by "school name" or select the search icon called "Find a K-12 Online Course." Once you have found an Online Provider that offers the classes you want you must give your district notice prior to starting the online class. You may make changes to your schedule by the midpoint in the current term to enroll in online learning. Meet with your school counselor and provide all program and course information needed. 2. Enroll in an Online Learning School. If you are interested in enrolling full time as an online learning student look for an online learning school or course that offers a complete course of study for your grade level. What school is responsible for comprehensive student enrollment if I register for online learning classes outside of my enrolling (local) school?The student and family determine where comprehensive enrollment occurs. Continued enrollment in the brick and mortar local school requires that all grade level and graduation requirements are met at that district, OLL courses are transferred in and that the enrolling school continues to provide non-academic services. The student may access instruction through public online learning by taking between 1 and 6 semester credits per year online and remain enrolled in their local school. There are online schools that provide comprehensive programs that grant high school diplomas and others that provide supplemental online learning instruction (enrollment is maintained at the local brick and mortar school). Can I enroll in more than a full schedule of classes through online learning?You can participate in more than 12 semester credits per year but it would be at your own expense. Your first choice is to create an opening in your schedule. Make certain that the number of credits taken between the traditional school and the online class provider does not exceed more than full time student status (12 semester classes/year). If you enroll beyond full time status, the online learning provider can charge you tuition for the cost of enrolling in that additional class. If you fall behind and qualify for graduation incentives, you may be eligible to enroll in additional courses through a Learning Year Program or Alternative Learning Center in order to get on track to graduate. More information about this is available from the Minnesota Department of Education How will my credits earned in the online learning courses count towards finishing my grade and working towards graduation?You will receive academic credit for completing the requirements of an online learning course or program. Secondary credits granted through online learning must be counted toward the graduation and credit requirements of the enrolling district. The enrolling district must apply the same graduation requirements to all students, including online learning students, and must continue to provide nonacademic services to online learning students. If you complete an online learning course or program that meets or exceeds a graduation standard or grade progression requirement at the enrolling district, that standard or requirement is met. How will having a high school diploma from an online school be viewed by colleges during admission?Online students meet all of the same graduation requirements as other public school students in Minnesota, earning a public high school diploma when they complete the requirements in their online high school program. The acceptance of online learning as a mainstream option for students is increasing among K-12 systems and in higher education. In fact, in 2006, Michigan’s legislature voted to require an online learning experience as a requirement for high school graduation. Is online learning open to all Minnesota K-12 students?The statute allows a student to apply to a certified online learning provider to enroll in online learning. A student age 17 or younger must have the written consent of a parent or guardian to apply. No school district or charter school may prohibit a student from applying to enroll in online learning. (MS 124D.095 Subd 3a). An online learning student may enroll during a single school year for a maximum of 12 semester-long courses or their equivalent delivered by a comprehensive online learning provider or up to 6 semester-long classes delivered by a supplemental online learning provider. Are there deadlines for student application to online learning and notifications to students and resident districts?An online learning provider that accepts a student must, within ten days, notify the student and the enrolling district if the enrolling district is not the online learning provider. The notice must report the student’s course or program hours of instruction, credits to be awarded, the start date of online enrollment, and confirmation that the courses will meet the student's graduation plan. The student and family must notify the online learning provider of their intent to enroll in online learning within ten days of acceptance, at which time the student and parent must sign a statement of assurance that they have reviewed the online course or program and understand the expectations of online learning enrollment. The online learning provider must notify the enrolling district of the student's enrollment in online learning in writing on a form provided by the department. An online learning provider must notify the commissioner that it is delivering online learning and report the number of online learning students it is accepting and the online courses and programs it is delivering. (MS 124D.095 Subd 3 a and b). How do I get access to necessary technology for online learning?An online learning student has the same access to the computer hardware and education software available in a school as other students in the enrolling district. An online learning provider must assist an online learning student whose family qualifies for the education tax credit under section 290.0674 to acquire computer hardware and educational software for online learning purposes. Source: Minnesota K-12 Online Learning Alliance www.mnola.org and Minnesota Department of Education Page last updated in July 2008. | |||
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K-12 Online Learning
