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K-12 Distance Education FAQs |
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Frequently Asked Questions about K-12 Distance Education |
Who teaches the courses? Will course outcomes be similar to face-to-face courses?
Instructors working with all the K-12 online schools listed here are licensed and trained to work with distance students. Courses consist of a variety of student projects that are based on state performance standards. To receive credit for a course, students complete various assignments, carry out projects, and (in online courses) participate in discussion boards or chat forums. Many courses also require proctored exams. Projects require reading, writing, library and Internet research, and some collaboration with others. Instructional materials may include textbooks, websites, CD-ROMs, VHS, online video, and teacher-made materials.What do courses cost? The cost of courses varies among the K-12 online schools from $100 - $275 per course for Oregon students. Many online schools offer courses free to students living within their districts. Typically, schools pay the tuition for courses their students take after they decide what courses they want their students to have and who can take them. Sometimes parents pay for courses. Summer session courses may have an additional fee.Can I earn my Oregon high school diploma online? Currently, a student cannot earn an Oregon high school diploma totally online, though a variety of remedial and enrichment courses are available. The high school in which the student is enrolled awards a diploma when the student has met all the requirements for graduating. Before registering for a course, students should check first with their school to be sure a course meets the school's graduation requirements and see if the school will pay the course fee.How do I get credit for a course? If you are taking a course from an online school run by your school district or ESD, they will notify your school when you have completed coursework and the course will be added to your transcript. If you are taking a course offered statewide (CoolSchool, PSU Independent Study) or by an online school that is out of your area, an official transcript will be mailed to your school after you complete all the course requirements. If you want a course to count toward graduation, be sure to have the course approved by your school before you register for it.Can I take a course from a school district that is different from mine? You may take a course from any online school that will admit you (a few serve only students in their district), but the more important questions are will the course count toward your graduation, and will your school district pay the tuition? For answers to these questions, you must check with your school office.Are all courses accredited? All courses meet Oregon standards and are accredited by the Commission on Schools of the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges through the online school that offers the courses.Can I take college courses while I'm still in high school? High school students may be able to enroll in college-level courses available through ONE. A student's "college readiness" is a judgement typically made by a high school counselor, teacher, or principal. You may be able to earn both high school and college credit for a college course. Check with your high school counselor or principal if you wish to enroll in a distance education college course so that you may determine how your courses will apply.How can I get textbooks and other course materials I need? Information about how to get textbooks and other required course materials is listed in the course information section for each course and varies among the online schools.What hardware and software do I need? Regular access to the Internet with e-mail is assumed for any online classes. Word processing software is also required. Adobe Acrobat and various plug-ins are available through free downloads if required. Some classes may require additional software.What skills do I need to succeed in an online course? Students need adequate keyboard skills and good written communication skills. Experience using email and a web browser is highly recommended. Students also need to be self-motivated. Falling behind in an online course makes it very difficult to succeed. You need to stay on task, meet deadlines and pursue assistance for any technical problems that may occur. Login several times a week to keep up with what's going on in class. Instructors may have additional suggestions and requirements for their individual classes. |
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