This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Provost Academy. All opinions are 100% mine.
This past week, I attended back to school night for 3 of my kids. Before I headed to the middle school, my 6th grade daughter said, “Make sure you meet Mrs. H! She’s my favorite teacher!” That same night, my 10th grade daughter asked if I would check with the other gym teachers to see what Ms. F was up to. Ms. F is a teacher who, even after she moved on to a new school, Necco talks about and visits regularly. These are teachers who are creating relationships that are inspiring students to learn!
We are a family of learners. My kids are wonderful students. But when they tell me that they are eager to head back to school each August, it has so much more to do with seeing their friends again than anything else (and, yes, they are excited to see their favorite teachers again, too!).
We believe relationships matter as much as academics, learning involves doing, and together is a lot better than alone.
What is Provost Academy? Provost Academy is an online public school putting the social into virtual learning. They are a school built of relationships. They’re tossing out the word “virtual” and striving to be The UnVirtual Online School. How is Provost Academy becoming The UnVirtual Online School? They are connecting students with other students who have shared dreams, goals, aspirations, and future plans so that they can support and inspire each other. They are connecting students with professionals in their fields of interest to talk with, learn from, and engage with. They are connecting students to opportunities which allow them to explore their interests by doing and lead them to be prepared for the challenges in life.
Learning can happen anywhere and we want to expand the definition of anywhere.
Facts about Provost Academy:
- Provost Academy is accredited, so the diplomas students receive when they graduate are real and recognized by colleges and the military.
- Provost Academy is a public school, so there is no cost to enroll.
- Provost Academy teachers and staff are dedicated to building one-to-one relationships with their students. They care deeply about the learning process not just the outcome.
- Provost Academy knows that each student learns in a unique way, and flexibility is required. They believe that by working together they can create the best learning experience for each student.
Find out why thousands of students in grades 6-12 are enjoying Provost Academy’s UnVirtual Online School in Ohio, and see what students in 9-12 grade are doing in Provost Academy’s schools in South Carolina and Colorado.
My UnVirtual School Idea #MyUnVirtualSchool
Provost Academy is working hard to be The UnVirtual Online School – a school built on relationships. Provost Academy has asked me to share some of my ideas for making online school social. As a blogger who spends a lot of my time behind a computer, I can attest to the value of having peers who I can call on at any time – to be social (everyone loves to take a quick chat break!), to laugh, to collaborate, and to inspire.
My friend, Brett, is one of those people for me. I know that I can call on Brett any day to ask her opinion on a photo or an idea for a post. We throw ideas around for post titles and chat about the best wording for a post or social media share. I am a better blogger because of her support and inspiration.
Another friend, Safire, has been someone I could turn to for years for everything from personal advice to a much-needed girl’s night out escape. Although Safire is now on the other side of the country, I know that I can always count on her.
My UnVirtual School idea is inspired by these two friends. I think that an online school experience would be enhanced by the ability to chat, collaborate, share, and ask other students via messaging that is available anytime. Sometimes I need to get an idea sorted out in my brain right away (I would hate to have to wait til a lesson was over) and instant messaging between students and teachers would be so helpful for me!
Enter to win!
How do you think that an online school can be social? If you could build your own, perfect UnVirtual online school, what would it look like? All ideas are welcome, whether revolutionary or simple. And by answering, you are entering to win a $100 Gift Card to Barnes & Noble. It’s totally simple, but don’t delay – this contest ends today! Just leave a comment to enter. A winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Ends end of day 9/12/14. Who knows…your idea might just change the future of a student out there right now.
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Two of my kids have taken online courses for school. The schools have organized field trips, parties, and they have a Facebook-like message board for students to use . The.school has a mascot, too. Little things like that build community.
Of course it can be social. I’ve done online chat bookclubs before. I would think that would be a great way for students to connect over literature.
I think my ideal online school would be somewhere I could interact freely with other students and also teachers… Get feedback, have access to lots of different, creative courses, and be able to go at my own pace. I like to be challenged and get bored easily!!
Online schools can be social with forums, chats, or by setting up play dates in the community to meet each other.
There would be a lot of “meeting” virutal chat rooms. I picture a Brady Bunch type of video chat, with a teacher in the middle and a whole bunch of students who can talk to each other just like in a regular class. It would also combine aspects of Facebook and Twitter, both social platforms that kids are used to and would foster communication and being social. I think it would be great to also include a “Second Life” type of platform where you can actually see each other and talk in areas without teachers.
I completed my bachelors degree online through an accredited state university. I worked on many team projects where the groups ranged form 2 to 6. Online conversations using the school’s own “chat” ., online video streaming, exchanging work for proofing…I was amazed at well it we worked together and how the “online” skills I learned were applicable to today’s work environment. I would imagine today’s kids would be even more comfortable with distance learning, look how good they are with twitter, FB and whatever else they use. I would assign online study buddies, group projects, have online group classes with all the class online at the same time and use video streaming.
I think online discussion groups and Facebook are great for students to meet & discuss classes and projects. One of my kids took a few online courses and really liked it.
I attended University of Phoenix online and luckily the people in my class were within an hour driving distance. We would get together to have class meet-ups and study sessions. We also worked on projects together. Email came in handy when writing a paper because we could proof other students papers. I think G+ hangouts would be great for those that want a private study session in a group yet don’t have the ability to drive to meet-up.