Virtual High School March 3, 2008
Presentation to the Watertown School
Committee
Virtual High School March 3, 2008
Presentation to the Watertown School
Committee
Virtual High School WebsiteVirtual High School Website
All information used in this presentation can be found on the VHS website
www.govhs.org
All information used in this presentation can be found on the VHS website
www.govhs.org
Virtual High SchoolBackground Information
Virtual High SchoolBackground Information
Established in 1997 Non-profit organization providing online
courses to high school students around the world
Provides teacher training to current and future VHS teachers
Established in 1997 Non-profit organization providing online
courses to high school students around the world
Provides teacher training to current and future VHS teachers
VHS Member ProfileVHS Member Profile Size of member schools is between 4
and 4,286 Total number of students enrolled per
year in netcourses - 9,111 Breakdown of VHS students by gender
57%female, 43% male 457 member schools currently
Size of member schools is between 4 and 4,286
Total number of students enrolled per year in netcourses - 9,111
Breakdown of VHS students by gender 57%female, 43% male
457 member schools currently
Location of Member SchoolsLocation of Member Schools
VHS member schools in the U.S. are located in 28 different states
35 international schools in countries including Canada, Italy, England, France, Australia, Brazil, China and Japan
VHS member schools in the U.S. are located in 28 different states
35 international schools in countries including Canada, Italy, England, France, Australia, Brazil, China and Japan
VHS Member Schools in Mass.
VHS Member Schools in Mass.
118 schools in Massachusetts Most are public high schools, including
those in Cambridge, Chelsea, Littleton, Reading. Peabody and Woburn
Some public middle schools and private middle and high schools are also VHS members, including Bishop Feehan, Mt. St. Joseph Academy
118 schools in Massachusetts Most are public high schools, including
those in Cambridge, Chelsea, Littleton, Reading. Peabody and Woburn
Some public middle schools and private middle and high schools are also VHS members, including Bishop Feehan, Mt. St. Joseph Academy
Types of VHS MembershipsTypes of VHS Memberships Student-only member ( Watertown High
School currently falls in this category ) Individual school member Consortium member Home-schooled students may also apply
for participation
Student-only member ( Watertown High School currently falls in this category )
Individual school member Consortium member Home-schooled students may also apply
for participation
VHS CoursesVHS Courses 241 courses currently offered Courses are offered at either a
standard, honors, AP or duel credit level Most classes are semester-long, running
for a total of 15 weeks AP courses are two-semester courses,
running for 33 weeks Maximum class size is 25 Average class size is approximately 19
241 courses currently offered Courses are offered at either a
standard, honors, AP or duel credit level Most classes are semester-long, running
for a total of 15 weeks AP courses are two-semester courses,
running for 33 weeks Maximum class size is 25 Average class size is approximately 19
VHS Summer CoursesVHS Summer Courses
Credit recovery courses in a few subjects ( e.g., Algebra, English, U.S. History, Health ) are offered during the summer
Enrichment courses are also available during the summer on a limited basis
Credit recovery courses in a few subjects ( e.g., Algebra, English, U.S. History, Health ) are offered during the summer
Enrichment courses are also available during the summer on a limited basis
If You Could Take a VHS Course, You Might Like…If You Could Take a VHS Course, You Might Like…
Science - DNA Technology Social Studies - Criminology Social Studies - Gods of CNN: The
Power of the Media
Science - DNA Technology Social Studies - Criminology Social Studies - Gods of CNN: The
Power of the Media
How About Taking…?How About Taking…?
Language Arts - Contemporary Irish Literature
Language Arts - Ghoulies, Ghosties and Beasties: Why We Like to be Scared
Language Arts - Contemporary Irish Literature
Language Arts - Ghoulies, Ghosties and Beasties: Why We Like to be Scared
You Might Consider…You Might Consider…
Mathematics - Number Theory: Patterns, Puzzles and Cryptography
Life Skills/Health - Career Awareness for the New Millennium
Arts - 20th Century History and American Pop Music
Mathematics - Number Theory: Patterns, Puzzles and Cryptography
Life Skills/Health - Career Awareness for the New Millennium
Arts - 20th Century History and American Pop Music
More possibilities…More possibilities…
Foreign Language - Basic Mandarin Business - Investing in the Stock
Market Technology/Tech Ed - Animation
Effects: Flash MX Basics
Foreign Language - Basic Mandarin Business - Investing in the Stock
Market Technology/Tech Ed - Animation
Effects: Flash MX Basics
The Site CoordinatorThe Site Coordinator
Student-only and individual member schools must have a site coordinator
Student-only and individual member schools must have a site coordinator
WHS Site CoordinatorWHS Site Coordinator
Alan Epstein is Watertown High School’s Site Coordinator
Alan Epstein is Watertown High School’s Site Coordinator
Role of the Site CoordinatorRole of the Site Coordinator
Acts as administrative liaison between the VHS teachers, the students, the VHS organization and the students’ school
Tracks students’ progress Handles media distribution and
shipment
Acts as administrative liaison between the VHS teachers, the students, the VHS organization and the students’ school
Tracks students’ progress Handles media distribution and
shipment
The Site Coordinator also..The Site Coordinator also..
Checks in with students and monitors students’ progress throughout their courses
Troubleshoots problems Encourages students when they
need a boost
Checks in with students and monitors students’ progress throughout their courses
Troubleshoots problems Encourages students when they
need a boost
2007 - 2008 School Year2007 - 2008 School Year Ten seats for Watertown High School
students were available in VHS courses each semester
Courses students took included AP Biology, AP Art History, Basic Mandarin, Creative Writing, Spanish Literature, Oceanography, Bioethics and Biotechnology
Ten seats for Watertown High School students were available in VHS courses each semester
Courses students took included AP Biology, AP Art History, Basic Mandarin, Creative Writing, Spanish Literature, Oceanography, Bioethics and Biotechnology
WHS Student FeedbackWHS Student Feedback
Feedback from Students Enrolled in Virtual High School Courses during the 2007-2008 school year
Feedback from Students Enrolled in Virtual High School Courses during the 2007-2008 school year
VHS StudentsVHS Students
Judy Choy and Hong Van Phan Class of 2008
Judy Choy and Hong Van Phan Class of 2008
Some Advantages of Taking A VHS Course
Some Advantages of Taking A VHS Course
Students have the opportunity to take classes with students and teachers from around the world
Online classes provide an excellent opportunity for motivated students who work well independently
Students have the opportunity to take classes with students and teachers from around the world
Online classes provide an excellent opportunity for motivated students who work well independently
Additional AdvantagesAdditional Advantages Students can select courses from a wide
range of offerings A VHS course provides students a more
flexible work schedule during a school week which runs from Wednesday through Tuesday
Students can select courses from a wide range of offerings
A VHS course provides students a more flexible work schedule during a school week which runs from Wednesday through Tuesday
Some Challenges To Taking An Online Course
Some Challenges To Taking An Online Course
Students have no face to face contact with their classmates or their teacher
Students with questions on assignments or technical issues must wait for their questions to be answered, which can take, at times, up to 24 hours, as opposed to receiving immediate responses
Students have no face to face contact with their classmates or their teacher
Students with questions on assignments or technical issues must wait for their questions to be answered, which can take, at times, up to 24 hours, as opposed to receiving immediate responses
Demo VHS CoursesDemo VHS Courses
The VHS website has three student demo courses, providing students and teachers the opportunity to experience a VHS course.
The VHS website has three student demo courses, providing students and teachers the opportunity to experience a VHS course.
Teacher Training Provided by Virtual High School
Teacher Training Provided by Virtual High School
Site Coordinator Orientation ( SCO ) NetCourse Instructional Methodology
( NIM ) Teachers Learning Conference ( TLC )
Site Coordinator Orientation ( SCO ) NetCourse Instructional Methodology
( NIM ) Teachers Learning Conference ( TLC )
Site Coordinator OrientationSite Coordinator Orientation
Four week online professional development NetCourse
Four week online professional development NetCourse