How many students will be in my online course?
The Online School for Girls’ courses are limited to 20 students; many will have fewer.
How difficult are the courses?
Students should expect that their courses in the Online School will be vigorous and academically challenging, designed to challenge college-bound students. A student can expect that she will spend several hours a week directly engaged with new material through a variety of medium (for example: video presentations, video conferencing, discussion boards, assigned reading). Additionally students will also be assigned work to practice or reinforce the material, or assessments to demonstrate understanding. Overall a student should expect to spend 7-8 hours a week working on her school year courses (8-9 hours for an AP course) and 8-10 hours a week on a summer course.
How will I access the course?
Students will be given directions and a username and password on the day that Orientation begins, if not before.
How will OSG prepare me to take an online class?
The school asks that each girl participate in a student orientation which will show her how to navigate Haiku, our learning management system, and how to use other commonly used software. Her teacher will also provide instruction on how best to navigate the material and succeed in the course.
What will the assignments be like?
Assignments will vary both within a course, and between courses. Assignments may include, but are not limited to: textbook reading assignments, essays, wikis, practice problems, discussion board postings, Voicethread postings, Skype sessions. Most importantly a student must remember that her work on assignments must always be her own work (please see Academic Honest Policy). Students will also work with other students on projects.
How will I take tests?
This varies from class to class. Classes may have assessments online, partly online or not online at all. Your teacher will ask you to arrange a proctor at your school. Be sure to arrange this well in advance. The school can help if needed.
When does the work have to be done for a class?
Teachers will assign deadlines for all assignments. A student may decide to do small amounts of work each day, or do several hours of work in one sitting. Students must be largely self-motivated to maintain the commitment necessary to keep up with the work in her course. A student should not expect that she would be able to wait and try to get a week or more worth of material covered at once. Before entering an OSG course, a student should carefully consider if she has the self-discipline to successfully complete the course.
How often does a student need to log in to her course?
Students are required to log in to Haiku at least twice a week, though they are encouraged to log more frequently to check updated material and assignments. Students in summer courses should expect to log on almost at least four times a week. Since a primary method of communication between a student and her teacher will be via email, the student should provide the school with an email address that she checks daily.
Who are the teachers in the Online School for Girls?
The Online School for Girls’ teachers are experienced teachers in their disciplines and are experts in teaching girls. We encourage you to meet our teachers. Most of the OSG teachers currently teach at great independent girls’ schools (90%+) around the country, and all of the teachers have taught at a top independent school.
What if I have a question? How do I reach my teacher?
Students must never hesitate to ask a question or ask for help. Since you do not see your teacher every day, he/she may not know if you are confused or have a question. There are a variety of ways a student can contact her teacher. Each teacher will have three “office hours” each week when he/she is available online via Skype to answer any questions. In addition, students may always email, call, instant message or Skype message her teacher to ask a question. Your teacher will post the various ways to reach him/her. They will respond within 24 hours. Our best advice is for students to be proactive and ask for help as soon as it is needed.
If I’m in an AP course, am I required to take the AP Exam?
All students who are enrolled in an AP course are expected to take the exam. You will take the exam at your home school. You need to contact you home school’s AP coordinator to make all the arrangements.
How “tech-savvy” does a student need to be to take a course?
Many of the technologies used by OSG teachers will be ones that students have used before, or will be similar to other technologies that a student has likely experienced. A student who is familiar with the internet and using Web 2.0 and social networking should find the technology to be straight-forward and relatively easy to use. Before each class begins, students are asked to complete an Orientation that will introduce them to the standard learning technologies used at OSG and to the help and support that they have. We encourage students to spend 2-4 hours working through the Orientation to OSG. If and when teachers introduce new technologies in their classes, the teacher will provide adequate training for you.
For More Information Contact:
Brad Rathgeber, Director
brad.rathgeber@onlineschoolforgirls.org
301.842.4674
Skype: brad.rathgeber
