Every student needs a little help sometimes! Whether it's a virtual learning setting or a brick-and-mortar model, students have access to resources for when they need some extra help. In this blog, kindergarten teacher Ms. Bornancini explores some of the assistance you'll find in a cyber school!
Like traditional brick-and-mortar schools, cyber schools have resources available to provide extra help when students need it. While the specific resources will differ depending on the school, here are some examples of support, to give you a better idea of what you might expect at any cyber school in PA.
Cyber schools have different types of resources to help students become accustomed to the education model. Students struggling with the academic material can attend weekly support through office hours, tutoring, homework help, and recorded lessons.
Cyber teachers are trained to utilize technology to help model academic concepts to show their students. Teachers work collaboratively with their colleagues to share new ideas or strategies to reach a range of students with different learning abilities. When students are struggling, teachers can record videos to provide another visual representation of the academic content. Many parents find it helpful to listen to the teacher’s explanation of a particular concept. Then, they can use the same wording, inflections, and examples to support and reinforce their student’s learning.
Teachers understand that this may be a Learning Coach’s first time working with their student in an online learning environment. Therefore, cyber teachers are willing to share any kind of information or resource about an academic concept to help support students and build a rapport with families. Primary education teachers also meet with the academic support staff that provides support and services to students who qualify by implementing an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that addresses the individual child’s needs. Students are provided with the strategies, tools, instruction, and services that will allow them to maximize their learning.
Students may also benefit from a variety of online resources to enhance their learning. At PA Virtual, many students may use the following resources like the online school by K12, Edgenuity, Edmemtum, Study Island, or IXL. These programs offer extra practice on academic concepts taught by the teachers during live classes. Below, you will find a brief description of the programs mentioned above and some other programs as well.
State-certified teachers who use a tailored approach that works for diverse learners
A dynamic curriculum that offers a range of courses in core subjects, electives, and career-focused options
Social opportunities for students through clubs and other extracurriculars
The chance for parents to be involved in their student's education journey as the Learning Coach
Access to an online community and variety of support—all designed to help students feel connected and engaged.
Another program, IXL, offers an individualized program. According to its website, IXL “is personalized learning. With a comprehensive K-12 curriculum, individualized guidance, and real-time analytics, IXL meets the unique needs of each learner.”
With this program, students have access to a curriculum that can be tailored to their individual learning needs. Through the membership, students in a virtual learning environment can have access to:
Research shows that students who use IXL can achieve more in their classes. IXL can help advance your child’s learning progress. Studies have shown that IXL can lead to higher test scores, predict success, and benefit all students in an educational setting. Finally, IXL also provides educators with many different tools and resources that can be easily accessed and implemented into the classroom. Educators often use IXL as a way to target specific academic skills, collect data, and enhance student achievement.
According to its website, Study Island can:
One pro of the program is that educators can utilize the test builder feature to create individualized assessments for their students. Teachers can review their class performance and easily track their data to guide their students towards a successful learning experience.
This “company of educators” holds to the belief that “all learners can achieve their full potential, and student success starts with the teacher.” Some of Edgenuity’s programs span core curriculum, intervention, test prep, instructional services, personalized learning, summer school, exceptional learners, and more.
Teachers often use these resources to help guide their lessons as well. Then, teachers send their students to sign onto these resources to complete a skill or assignment that was modeled or introduced during class time.
Educators constantly collaborate with each other to share a wide range of online resources with each other that are suitable for different grade levels. At the elementary level, students may use a plethora of websites to help improve their academic skills in different school subjects. For reading skills, teachers draw on programs such as Reading Eggs, Reading A to Z, ABC Mouse, ABC Ya, Starfall, etc., to help younger students improve their English skills. To improve math skills, teachers may use websites like XtraMath to practice fact fluency skills, Khan Academy Kids, or Splash Learn, for interactive videos and games to help make math more enjoyable for students to learn. Older students draw on some of the resources listed earlier in this blog, along with teacher-provided aids and internet sites.
All students need a brain break now and then! At PA Virtual, we build breaks into the schedule. There are also websites that offer videos and activities for your child to take a break throughout their busy school day.
Some of the programs are used as an extra resource, while others may be geared towards a specific academic subject. Below is a list of educational websites you can explore, depending on which subject or grade level your student may need extra help with in school.
Cyber students have access to many support tools to help guide their learning experiences to a successful outcome. Parents can communicate with their students, teachers, and administrators to find out more information about resources available within their online community. We hope this gives you a better understanding of the types of resources in place in a cyber school.
Considering the switch to online learning? If a cyber charter school sounds like a good fit, then check out our Ultimate Guide to Attending a Cyber Charter School in PA!
Images courtesy of SCREEN POST on Unsplash; others as noted.