North Carolina Virtual Public Schools Parent/Guardian Orientation By ELA/Lab Facilitator Alan McNaughton & Jess Milligan

What is NCVPS? An online distance instructional model. An online distance instructional model. Approved courses taught by highly qualified teachers. Approved courses taught by highly qualified teachers. Student-centered projects. Student-centered projects. Collaborative group assignments and discussions through , instant messaging and online chat forums with teachers and other students. Collaborative group assignments and discussions through , instant messaging and online chat forums with teachers and other students

Opportunities for Students AP or Honors Courses not offered locally AP or Honors Courses not offered locally Year-long and Block courses Year-long and Block courses Credit Recovery Courses Credit Recovery Courses Helps with scheduling conflicts for graduation requirements Helps with scheduling conflicts for graduation requirements Summer Term Courses Summer Term Courses

What courses can I take on NCVPS? ogue/ ogue/ ogue/ ogue/ Students will be enrolled on a limited basis. Students will be enrolled on a limited basis. Other courses will be offered on a case by case basis. Other courses will be offered on a case by case basis.

Technology Needed

Online or Face-to-Face Sorting out the details ?

Student Work Habits Online classes are convenient and flexible, but students have to be disciplined enough to make time to participate and study. Online classes are convenient and flexible, but students have to be disciplined enough to make time to participate and study.

Student Learning Style Online learning is best for those who learn by reading and writing; if you learn better by hearing lectures or viewing teacher presentations, a traditional face-to- face class might be a better fit.

Key Qualities Good time management skills Good time management skills Prioritize, efficiency and effectiveness Prioritize, efficiency and effectiveness Independent learner Independent learner Self-directed Self-directed Excellent reading and writing skills Excellent reading and writing skills Not afraid of technology Not afraid of technology Good at setting goals Good at setting goals Fail to plan, plan to fail Fail to plan, plan to fail Have your own space Have your own space At school? At home? At school? At home?

Successful Online Students Log in regularly to their class Log in regularly to their class Plan to ensure enough time to study and complete assignments Plan to ensure enough time to study and complete assignments Enjoy communicating in writing and reading the writing of others Enjoy communicating in writing and reading the writing of others "Speak up" to their instructors when problems arise! Call, text, , etc…. "Speak up" to their instructors when problems arise! Call, text, , etc…. Are self-disciplined, self-motivated and responsible Are self-disciplined, self-motivated and responsible

Successful Online Students Are active learners who are willing to take responsibility for their own learning Are active learners who are willing to take responsibility for their own learning Are visual learners able to learn easily from reading and writing Are visual learners able to learn easily from reading and writing Know how to use technology properly Know how to use technology properly Software, Internet, Electronic mail, File management, etc. Software, Internet, Electronic mail, File management, etc. Read and write well Read and write well Are comfortable addressing problems at a “distance” Are comfortable addressing problems at a “distance” Must be assertive in order to make their needs known Must be assertive in order to make their needs known

Successful Online Students Have good time management skills to plot and follow a schedule for finishing readings and assignments Have good time management skills to plot and follow a schedule for finishing readings and assignments Have solid research skills, including how to effectively use the Internet Have solid research skills, including how to effectively use the Internet Have the ability to work well cooperatively Have the ability to work well cooperatively Are flexible, adaptable and open-minded Are flexible, adaptable and open-minded

Questions to Consider Am I comfortable using a computer? Am I comfortable using a computer? Do I enjoy reading and have good reading skills? Do I enjoy reading and have good reading skills? Am I comfortable communicating in writing and by phone? Am I comfortable communicating in writing and by phone? Am I comfortable with typing? Am I comfortable with typing? Am I self-motivated and able to work independently? Am I self-motivated and able to work independently?

Questions to Consider Continued… Am I a procrastinator when it comes to schoolwork and deadlines? Am I a procrastinator when it comes to schoolwork and deadlines? Do I mind asking for help when I have a problem or question? Do I mind asking for help when I have a problem or question? Am I comfortable following written directions? Am I comfortable following written directions? Am I resourceful and can work independently? Am I resourceful and can work independently? Can I juggle multiple responsibilities at the same time? Can I juggle multiple responsibilities at the same time?

Benefits of Online Education Develop self-motivation Develop self-motivation Develop organizational skills Develop organizational skills Develop independence Develop independence Develop resourcefulness Develop resourcefulness

How do I register? 1. Attend a mandatory Parent/Guardian Orientation or a conference with a counselor. 2. Complete the NCVPS registration form. 3. Meet with guidance counselor and turn in NCVPS registration form. 4. The school’s E-Learning Advisor (ELA)/Lab Facilitator will register students on the NCVPS system.

Registration Students will be registered in the NCVPS system Students will be registered in the NCVPS system If course seats are available, students will be enrolled. If course seats are available, students will be enrolled. Students may be wait listed-have a back-up plan in mind! Students may be wait listed-have a back-up plan in mind! Students will be assigned a log-in and password to the NCVPS system when enrolled in a course (must see Lab Facilitator). Students will be assigned a log-in and password to the NCVPS system when enrolled in a course (must see Lab Facilitator). An online Student Orientation to Blackboard must be completed before starting the course. An online Student Orientation to Blackboard must be completed before starting the course.

Communication Communication will be essential for success Communication will be essential for success Please make sure that we have the correct contact information (phone and ) for both student and parent/guardian. Please make sure that we have the correct contact information (phone and ) for both student and parent/guardian. Parents: Please make yourself as available as possible to communicate with online instructors. Also, check your students online course regularly. Parents: Please make yourself as available as possible to communicate with online instructors. Also, check your students online course regularly.

Hoggard NCVPS Guidelines First timer users must be on-campus. 2. Cannot take instead of teacher-taught class provided: Class is available on campus Class is available on campus Room in the class Room in the class Fits within students schedule Fits within students schedule

Hoggard NCVPS Guidelines continued… 3. Eligible for off-campus is: Taken as a 5 th credit (applicable to all students) Taken as a 5 th credit (applicable to all students) Already successfully completed an NCVPS course (applicable to all students) Already successfully completed an NCVPS course (applicable to all students) 2 nd semester junior or a senior 2 nd semester junior or a senior Medical reason and/or hardships which must be approved by administration (ex. Physical therapy) (applicable to all students) Medical reason and/or hardships which must be approved by administration (ex. Physical therapy) (applicable to all students) 4. All Credit Recovery must be completed on-campus.

ELA-Mr. McNaughton & Contacts The ELA will also coordinate all text books, supplemental materials, testing, and grade reporting. The ELA will also coordinate all text books, supplemental materials, testing, and grade reporting. If you have questions or concerns please contact me at , ext 218 or at If you have questions or concerns please contact me at , ext 218 or at Lab Facilitator: Lab Facilitator: Jessica Milligan ext 364 or Jessica Milligan ext 364 or Help Desk contacts: Help Desk contacts: Instructor: Contact information can be found under Teacher Information Instructor: Contact information can be found under Teacher Information NCVPS Student Support Services Center: NCVPS Student Support Services Center: