Ready For Online Learning?

Online learning may not be for everyone. Here are some questions to assist you in determining your readiness for online learning.

1. Are you a self-motivated person?
   Success in online learning courses depends on self-discipline. You need to have excellent time-management skills that will enable you to balance coursework with professional and personal responsibilities.
2. Are you willing to actively interact with instructors and other students primarily through the Internet?
   You should feel comfortable interacting mostly online with peers and instructors. You should have the ability to learn without any face-to-face interaction. This is crucial because in many courses, academic success is measured through regular course participation.
3. Are you comfortable using a computer and the Internet?
   You should like computers and feel comfortable using them. If the idea of sitting in front of a computer for extended periods of time does not appeal, then online learning may not be for you. You don’t need to be a computer expert to take an online learning course, but you must be able to complete basic tasks, such as downloading and installing programs, using word processing software, using a web browser, and sending Email.
4. Are you willing to dedicate the time required to participate in an online learning course?
   Many people think that taking an online learning class will be easier or take less time than an in-person class. However, expect to spend just as much time or more as you would in a traditional class.
5. Do you have quiet space for learning, away from distractions, where you can access the Internet?
   It is important to have a quiet space with an up-to-date computer where you can access the Internet.
6. Are you proficient in written communications?
   Strong reading and writing skills are critical in online learning. Be prepared to interact with instructors and other students in writing. You must be proficient at learning by reading written materials.

Self assesment for online learning:

• Online learning - self assessment quiz.

What our students are saying?

• "I can learn from an online course rather than having a teacher in front of the class."
• "I particularly liked math online, the videos were extremely helpful and convenient. If you are self-motivated I would recommend online courses."
• "I though that online learning would be much more difficult than taking a regular class, but it is pretty much the same. I thought that I might not get as good an understanding of the course, but I was wrong."
• "I had more self discipline than I thought I did. When I needed to get something done as soon as possible I did everything in my power to make sure that it was not only done on time but done well."
• I get to do things at my own pace and when I have time to do them, it has been great!
• I was required to learn on my own, which has made me more self-reliant, I also learned the value of organization.
• I learned great time management skills, which will improve my learning later on in my life.
• It makes me more independent which improves my confidence in doing my work.
• I have learned to value my time, stop procrastinating and organize my assignments and time.
• I can submit my assignments whenever they are finished and I am not stressed about due dates. I can take my time and make sure my work is done to my satisfaction.
• I learn more easily when I'm by myself.
• I have learned that it's what I put into it, not what I think I should or shouldn't do. It helps me to continue to push myself to higher and higher expectations or limits.
• I learned that I find it easier to do work on my own time without the distractions of classmates.

Take classes Any Time, Any Where, Any Place, Any Pace

Courses and Registration

Our distance education courses for the 2009 - 2010 School year:

Math A30, B30 and C30 Calculus 30 Chemistry 20 and 30 Accounting 10, 20 and 30 Psychology 20, 30 CWEX 10, 20, A30 and B30  Core French 90, 10, 20

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Note: Before you apply for a class make sure you have ALL of the information. It is important that ALL information is filled out on the form. Students will NOT be registered in the class until the registration form is complete. Make sure the student email address is correct and it is an email that they use on a daily basis.

Students applying for online courses must do so in consultation with their school cousellor, teacher or administrator to make sure the online course fits with their graduation requirements and schedule.

Download the registration form - please fill out the form completely before sending it in.

Class seats for the entire year:

• Mr. Ed Fahl has a total of 50 seats in CWEX classes.
• Ms. Shelly Stamm has a total of 75 seats in Math A30, B30, Chemistry 20, 30.
• Mr. Roger Morgan has a total of 75 seats in Calculus 30 and Math C30.
• Ms. Michelle O'Brien has a total of 75 seats in Accounting 10, 20, 30
• Ms. Patricia Yeske has a total of 50 seats in Psychology 20, 30.
• Mrs. Rachel Boughen has a total of 50 seats in French 90, 10,20.

Note:  Check the registration application to see when courses are offered or the online course offerings page. We have continuous intake so you can start taking an online class at any time.

Registration:

The online registration form must be filled out entirely prior to a student being enrolled in an online class.  Incomplete registrations will be returned.  Registrations for semester II may be deined after March 31, 2010.  Online courses do not continue over July and August.

If students register for semester I, it is important that the course is completed in semester I.  If the course is not complete by the end of the semester the student may be provided a short period of time to complete the course.

Consideration will be given to the progress made by the student in previous course attempts.

Students who have been formally identified as having a learning disability should include this information when registering for the course in order to receive the necessary accommodations to be successful. The online teacher may request a copy of the report in which the disability was diagnosed in order to have a better understanding of the student’s learning needs.

Priorities:

Students attending a school in the Prairie South School Division in need of an online program are our priority.  Our mandate is to provide equitable access to courses.  Students without access to the course within their school have priority over students who have the ability to take the class in a regular face-to-face environment.  Students outside of the Prairie South School Division can register for online courses if space is still available.  Inquiries can be directed to onlinecourses@prairiesouth.ca.

Students requiring a course which is not offered at their school or through the online programs should contact the principal of their school to discuss other options.

Procedure for dealing with student inactivity:

Communication is very important for successful completion of the course.  Students are encouraged to continually communicate with their online teacher.  If a student is inactive for 7 days with no correspondence with their online teacher, then the online teacher will send out an email requesting an update on their progress.  It is important that the student responds to this email.

If a student is inactive for 14 days with no correspondence with their online teacher, the teacher will be in contact with the student, cooperating teacher and administrator.  After 14 days a student may be withdrawn from the course if they are inactive and do not correspond with the online teacher.  A withdrawn student may re-enrol and be placed on the waiting list if applicable.

Commitment to a timeline is the key to success in completing an online course.

Prairie South School Division Students

Students attending a school in Prairie South School Division do not pay a fee to take an online course offered by Prairie South.  If an outside school division course is approved, there is no fee charged.

Students From Other School Divisions

Students from outside Prairie South School Division will need to register through a school in order to gain access to our courses.  A non-refundable fee of $500 will be charged for the course.  No personal cheques are accepted, only cheques made out by the school through which the student registered.

Other Opportunities

Online courses offered from other school divisions can be found here: http://www.skdistancelearning.ca/

The Prairie South School Division will pay for students to take classes outside of the school division if they meet the following criteria:

• the course is not available in their school and;
• the course is required for graduation or;
• a comparable online course is not offered from Prairie South or;
• the school administrator has approved the course.

To register for classes outside of the division follow this procedure:

1. Fill out the following form, [ Courses Outside Prairie South] and email it to online.courses@prairiesouth.ca
2. An email will be sent to the administrator indicating if the class has been approved.
3. Once the class is approved the school can fill out the registration form which is available with the course lisitng at http://www.skdistancelearning.ca/ and send the form to the offering school division.
4. The division office will pay the invoice.

Miss Patrica Yeske

Mr. Morgan

Mr. Fahl

Avonlea
Phone: (306) 868-2000

fahl.ed@prairiesouth.ca



CWEX 10, 20, A30, B30

Ms. O'Brien

Ms. Stamm

Texts:

• Math A30: Mathematics A30. Burt Thiessen. The Saskatoon Board, 1998.
• Math B30: Mathematics B30. Burt Thiessen. The Saskatoon Board, 1999. ISBN 0968471056.
• Chemistry 20 and 30: - any text book for a reference.

Mrs. Boughen