Last updated December 16, 2003
Summary
On December 10th, 2003, Jackson High School was host to an Online Learning Symposium. Five speakers addressed some of the options available to middle school students, high school students, parents and other adults. There were representatives from Apex Learning (the online learning company founded by Paul Allen), Washington Online (the consortium of the Washington State 2 year colleges), Online High School (the Everett School District’s online learning program), and the University of Washington’s Distance Learning Program.
Cheryl Vedoe, CEO Apex Learning
Ms. Vedoe explained the 14 AP course offerings from Apex. Several of the courses are semester-length such as AP Microeconomics and AP Psychology. High school students can enroll and start these courses in January 2004 and be prepared for the National AP exams in May 2004. Apex also offers general studies courses such as Algebra, Geology, and American Literature. For middle school students, Apex just started “Beyond Books” and “Boxer Math.” The popular Apex AP Exam review courses will be available starting in February 2004.
Apex courses include: General Studies - American Literature, Chemistry, Geology, HTML, Dynamic HTML and Scripting, Intermediate Algebra, Precalculus, U.S. Government, U.S. History. Foreign Language - French I, French II, Spanish I, Spanish II. Advanced Placement (AP) - AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP French Language, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP Physics B, AP Psychology, AP Spanish Language, AP Statistics, AP U.S. Government and Politics, AP U.S. History.
Connie Broughton (Managing Director of Washington Online)
Ms. Broughton demonstrated the Washington Online web site. There are hundreds of courses available from the 34 Washington State Community and Technical Colleges that make up the Washington Online Consortium. There are 29 degrees available for students to earn completely online. Many “Running Start” high school students use Washington Online. But Washington Online should also be considered by moms, dads and other adults interested in continuing their own education. Washington Online’s offerings are NOT self-paced. Students must follow the normal college schedule. This encourages study groups and teamwork albeit over long distances.
Colleges include: Bates, Bellevue, Bellingham, Big Bend, Cascadia, Centralia, Clark, Clover Park, Columbia Basin, Edmonds, Everett, Grays Harbor, Green River, Highline, Lake Washington, Lower Columbia, North Seattle, Olympic, Peninsula, Pierce, Renton, Seattle Central, Shoreline, Skagit, South Puget Sound, South Seattle, Spokane, Spokane Falls, Tacoma, Walla Walla, Wenatchee, Whatcom, and Yakima Valley.
Sally Lancaster (Everett School District Assistant Principal of Alternative Programs)
Ms. Lancaster was joined by Online High School teacher Kevin Corbett. Last year, the ESD started offering distance learning options. The focus so far has been on credit recovery. The ESD is looking at expanding the offerings in the future. Like Washington Online, Online High School uses the “Blackboard” technology. For the most part, Online High School is self-paced. Students can sign up for classes at the start of each semester and/or Summer school. Students pay $200 for each course. Jackson High School students use Online High School the most at 29% followed by Cascade HS (22%), Everett HS (20%), Sequoia HS (15%), Home School (11%) and other students (3%).
http://online.everett.k12.wa.us/
Presently the ESD's Online High School courses include: Freshmen English, Sophomore English, Algebra, Geometry, Biology, US History, Washington State History, Government, and Lifetime Fitness.
Bill Corrigan, University of Washington Distance Learning
Mr. Corrigan, at our request and with just a few hours notice before the event, made the trip to Mill Creek. He presented information from a 4-year college’s perspective. There is a saying that when you are a student in a large class (500+ students) at UW or elsewhere, and you are in the back row, you are experiencing “distance” learning. The UW has collaborated with Apex Learning in the past jointly developing some of Apex’s AP Review courses. Mr. Corrigan agreed with the other speakers, while Online Learning is not for everyone, it is a viable option for many. Students of all ages are increasingly more comfortable with technology - especially young people who are constantly communicating with each other through cell phones, text messaging, and email. Sometimes all simultaneously.
http://www.outreach.washington.edu/dl/
Online Learning Symposium Flier
This event was sponsored by AP/IB Boosters and hosted by Henry M. Jackson High School.