Update Report for Online Learning

June 10, 2010

Background Information

May 11, 2009 –

Board approved proposal to offer online curriculum options to Oregon students.

For the 2009-10 School Year

42 students grade K-12 had Open Enrolled Out of Oregon Schools to attend a virtual school.

19 students returned to Oregon Schools when we opened online options.

3 students of the original 42 returned to Oregon “brick and mortar schools” at the beginning of the 2009-10 School year.

52% of the Potential Open Enroll Out FamiliesReturned

When We Offered an Online Option

High School Students Gained An Experience

Semester One 55 Online Courses were attempted 51% of the first semester courses

were completed successfully

Semester Two

29 Online Courses were attempted 72% were completed successfully

Total High School Courses

for the

2009-2010 School Year

84 Attempted

58% Successfully Completed

Feedback from Students

Response From Those Who Dropped the Online Course:

1. Some admitted that they didn’t have the self-discipline needed to complete the course without daily contact with a teacher.

2. It was too easy to procrastinate!

3. Students initially thought an online course would be easier.

Response to Question 1:

“Why did you want to take an Online Course?”

• “I thought it would be an interesting experience.”

• “I was struggling to get everything I wanted into a schedule.”

• “I wanted a course that wasn’t offered at Oregon High School.”

Response to Question 2: “Was the Online Course what you expected?”• “It was more difficult than I thought.”

• “I didn’t expect the discussion assignments.”

• “Definitely not. I thought it would be much less time demanding. I also thought there would be fewer assignments”.

• “It was nothing like I expected; I anticipated a properly structured challenging course, instead the course was entirely based off a very poor online textbook.”

Response to Questions: “Was the Online Course what you expected?”• “It was about what I expected it to be.”

• “It was exactly how I imagined, maybe a little easier in some ways.”

• “For the most part yes. The work I had to do seemed awfully repetitive. A little variety would have been nice”.

• “I thought that there would be a lot of work and I was right.”

Response to Question 3: “What would have made the experience better?”•“More time to work on the class, but that’s my issue. I had to balance work and my other school work as well.”

• “More contact with the teacher/advisor. Wouldn’t always respond to emails or grade assignments promptly.”

• “It would have been better if I did work throughout the class instead of all at the end of the year”.

• “Strict deadlines.”

Response to Question 4: “What advice would you give other students who are considering an online course?”•“Make sure you are self motivated and give yourself time to work on that class.”

• “Don’t’ think online is easier, because it’s harder and more work.”

• “Don’t procrastinate”.

Feedback from Teachers: “What was your overall impression with the rigor of the course content and general alignment with our district curriculum?”

“Very strict” “Challenging”

“Great Accuracy” “A bit extreme”

“How did the students do in the online environment?”

One teacher shared the following:“It was a mixed bag. A couple of students did really well. A couple did nothing.

Secondary level, online learners really need to understand that online learning is essentially independent learning with a map. They just need to follow the map.”

Other teachers indicated similar experiences indicating that along with procrastinating, other students rushed through the work and attempts to set up regular conference call times proved unsuccessful for some teachers.

Feedback from Teachers: “What would you recommend to make the online experience more

successful?”

Communication early and often.

It would be nice to meet with parents as well as students to go over expectations of the course and how to use me as a resource.

Provide recommendations to students and parents about the need to set aside time every day to work on the coursework.

Try to find a study hall or lunch period during the school day when students can access their course.

Feedback from Teachers:

Quote from one teacher:

“I appreciate the Board’s willingness to support this initiative and think outside the box. I am hoping that we can develop a cadre of educators professionally committed to growing with this. Stability is a key. Now that we have made it past the first learning curve, and we know better what to tell students, we can work toward creating certain positive attitudes about online learning.”

Projections for 2010-2011

8 students will remain primarily in full time virtual education. 1 student will join us from home schooling.

5 students who were part or full time virtual school last year will be returning to the Brick and Mortar classroom full time for 2010-11.

3 students returned to home schooled.

Projections for 2010-2011

Currently there are: 36 requests to take one class at the high

school level and

2 requests from 8th grade

Revenue from students who previously had Open Enrolled Out exceeds the cost of the Online Courses making Oregon Online a positive program for Oregon students.

Next Steps – The Journey Continues!1. Policy Regarding Cost – New this next

year, students who do not complete the course will be required to reimburse the district for the costs.

2. Teachers will be asked to monitor student online presence more carefully so action can be taken to avoid consequence.

3. Parents signed a letter of understanding regarding this policy.

Next Steps – The Journey Continues!5. All 8-12 students and parents will be

invited to attend a group orientation which will guide them through the first assignment.

This will also provide the opportunity to show assignment timelines and reinforce the necessity to take responsibility early for all assignments.

Next Steps – The Journey Continues!6. Include Guidance Counselors as Local

Education Guides (LEGs)

7. Calendar dates for testing (WKCE, MAP, Explore, Plan) need to get to full time online families earlier.

8. Oregon teachers will again be allowed to apply to be an online facilitator first.

9. If a course does not have a local teacher, we will again contract with CESA 9.