September 2007
September 28, 2007
Welcome the Saskatchewan farmer
1. That slope-shouldered farm boy you are snickering at did more work before breakfast than you will do all week at the gym.
2. It's called a "gravel road." No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust on your BMW. I have a 4-wheel drive because I need it. Now drive or get it the heck out of the way.
3. We all started hunting and fishing when we were nine-years-old. Yeah, we saw Bambi die. We got over it.
4. Any references to "grain fed" when talking about our women will get your butt kicked...by our women.
5. Pull your pants up, and turn your hat around. You look like an idiot.
6. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of mallards are making their final approach, we will shoot it. You might hope you don't have it up to your ear at the time.
7. No, there's no "Vegetarian Special" on the menu. Order steak. Order it rare. Or, you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the two pounds of ham and turkey.
8. Yeah, we have sweetened ice tea. It comes sweetened, you don't need a glass with two packets of sugar and a long spoon.
9. You bring Coke into my house you should bring rye along, and ice.
10. So you have a sixty-thousand-dollar car. We're real impressed. We have quarter-million-dollar combines that we use two weeks a year.
11. Let's get this straight. We may have one stoplight in town, but we stop when it's red. We may even stop when it's yellow.
12. Our women hunt, fish, and drive trucks - because they want to. So, you're a feminist. Isn't that cute.
13. Yeah, we eat trout, northern pike, walleye and perch, too. If you really want sushi and caviar, it's available at the bait shop.
14. They are pigs and cows. That's what they smell like. Get over it.
Don't like it? Highways #1 and #16 go two ways - get on one of them. The more people that leave, the better the hunting & fishing.
15. So what if every person in every pick-up waves? It's called being friendly. Understand the concept?
16. Yeah, we have golf courses, more per person than anywhere else on earth. Don't hit into the water hazards. It spooks the fish. And stay out of the woods, that spooks the deer.
And welcome to Saskatchewan.
Are you dumb?
Am-I-Dumb.com - Are you dumb?
My Number correct: 25/25
However it was interested in how many American questions were in the test.
Ok, it is for a good cause.
I opened my big mouth the other day and said that if we raised $500 + I would allow my head to be shaved for breast cancer month. Well since it is for a good cause I will assist and see if we can make it happen. If you would like see how we are doing so far...check it out.
http://www.scs.sk.ca/cyber/CIF/shave.htm
It is for a good cause.
Right out of the mouth of students Part Seven
hopefully individual attention I will receive will help me to do better in math.
Cyber school definately works out better for me in terms of flexibility. I am very busy and this creates an enviroment for me to work on my own time and not be penalized for it. Cyber school should continue as a choice for people.
i just hope that one day students will be able to take all there classes on cyber shhool.
I have taken two courses through cyber school, and I have really enjoyed it!
I think cyber school was a good oppourtunity and I will definately take more classes on cyber in the future.
September 27, 2007
Right out of the mouth of students. Part Six
Well, i strongly appreciate the dedication that the cyber teacher make and i think that the concept of it is brilliant. I do think however that it should be advertised better in schools, there is one time that we hear about it and that is at registration there should be more opportunities to learn about the essence of the education.
You need the program to accept answers that are correct but not what the program thinks is correct. For example, if there is a question with brackets and the answer is 42, the program should accept the answer if it is in brackets like so, (42).
A reason for the cyber school to continue... I think that cyber school is a great program. In grade eight I took math 90 and I found that I had much more fredom than everyone else doing math in a normal class. I could do three assignments in one day and none for the next week. I find it VERY important to emphansis the importance of making yourself a schedule. In grade nine I took CE10 and I found that I had no schedule whatsoever, I didn't do too great. I did find that when I did my CE20 I had a schedule and am doing great. I find that in taking two classes (CE 90 + CE 10, or HI90 + CE20) a lot overlaps and it often just seems like e refresher in some topics. SCCS should stay open because it offers classes that your school may not offer and it improves independant learning. I absolutely love the freedom of the classes andit is a great idea. It has come a long way and I'm sure that it will go further yet.
I took two courses on cyber school in grade eleven and I am taking two more in grade twelve. I think with the math course, there needs to be more communication and instructions for the student. It is the class that I have found the most confusing just because there is so much to do and it needs to be layed out in the right format for assignments and such.
I have taken two courses through cyber school, and one of the worst problems I encountered in both courses was errors in the course. I think it is just stupid that when I submit a quiz or exam I have to contact the teacher and inform them that their answers are wrong. Who's teaching who?
September 26, 2007
Quote of the Day
The other day I was with God and he sneezed....I didn't know what to say.
Rich Little
Right out of the mouth of students. Part Five
I really enjoyed my History 30 course. I have always had an intrest in history and my school has never offered it. Now I know something about Canadian history.
Don't make this course so plain looking, add some color, I bet more people will want to sign up if the pages look cool.
hmmm a "neat" website eh, well, hmm, uhh, yah, about that, yah, i really got nothing, good job to the development team for making such a good site, it has really helped me!
I believe Cyberschool is well run, but i think that due dates for assignments should be enforced lightly, to keep students reminded that this is a school just like any other, but i do stress lightly.
I took cyber school because I wanted to take spanish, math 20, Biology 20, and Visual Arts all as electives, so I took Christian Ethics on cyber school. After three days in Spanish I actually dropped the class, meaning I could have not taken cyber at all, but at least it gave me a spare. Is that a good enough story?
September 25, 2007
Weather Bug Video
Welcome to youCaster where you can create your own weather show!
Are Mathematics and Science Skills Overrated? Survey Says...
This then leads me to wonder about the accuracy of the research findings. There is no mention in the report about the triangulation of data. In other words, how do the three data sources combine to support the findings and conclusions?
Christopher D. Sessums :: Blog :: Are Mathematics and Science Skills Overrated? Survey Says...
Right out of the mouth of students. Part Four
I love cyber school...have taken every possible class I could on cyber school. I am the kind of person who dreads actually going to school, but being able to work at my own pace makes me want to do this work. If I could just be a cyber school student forever I would...lol.
September 24, 2007
Murphy's Lesser-Known Laws
MURPHY'S LESSER-KNOWN LAWS
1. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
2. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.
3. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
4. Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.
5. Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.
6. The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there's a 90% probability you'll get it wrong.
7. If you lined up all the cars in the world end to end, someone would be stupid enough to try to pass them, five or six at a time, on a hill, in the fog.
8. If the shoe fits, get another one just like it.
9. The things that come to those who wait, will be the things left by those who got there first.
10. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat all day drinking beer.
11. A flashlight is a case for holding dead batteries.
12. The shinbone is a device for finding furniture in a dark room.
13. A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.
14. When you go into court, you are yourself in the hands of 12 who were not smart enough to get out of jury duty.
Right from the mouth of students. Part three
I'm not sure you should be able to take the whole year on cyber school because I was sick and couldnt even get out of bed but I needed school but you guys didn't have it.
September 21, 2007
Ok, blogosphere...I need your help. Maybe I have a job for someone.
If you have not been to the YouAreDamned.com you will not understand what I am talking about in this posting. I would like to find out who has created this site...now before everyone gets excited I am not going to rant on the person or anything. What I want to do create is the exact opposite of what this site is all about. Here at the Saskatoon Catholic Cyber School we have a chapel where the students on a daily basis post messages stating who they would like the population of the cyber school to pray for. This activity would be greatly enhanced if we could have a flash application like the one that is used to damn people, which instead of damning would post why a person should pray for...
For example today a student posted that they would like the population to pray for their grandmother who is sick and in the hospital with cancer. By posting this on the wall each day the students could view the wall and say a prayer. We would need to change the view of the site to clouds and brighter images etc.
We would be willing to try to reverse engineer this application if we could have access to the FLA file for youaredamned.com.
I understand why the creator of said site is a little concerned about someone knowing who built the site because of the flak they would get from a portion of the internet population. I am not one such person, I would like to create the opposite of the site to use for an educational spiritual component of the cyber school. I would be willing to sign an agreement to keep the authors name secret. We could meet in a dark place on the internet and exchange fla's.
Any help from the blogosphere to assist in achieving this goal would be greatly appreciated.
Can the power of the sphere do this?
Any bloggers out there that would be willing to post this on their blog spreading the word might help us solve this mystery.
If there is any flash expert person out there that is up for a challenge and would like to work on a partnership project and help develop such a site, lets talk.
Parents, kids don't see need for math, science skills
Interesting article...maybe we are training students for a very narrow future. Not every student goes to university yet most of their high school curriculum is written towards that goal.
eSchool News online - Parents, kids don't see need for math, science skills
Right from the mouth of Students Two
I like cyber school. It is a neat way to let people take courses to get ahead, or if they can't take a face-to-face course for any reason. My only problem with the program is that sometimes the teachers don't answer right away, and it takes two or three days. Other times, though, the teachers answered straight away, it was obvious they checked their email pretty much every day, which was really great.
September 20, 2007
Quote of the Day
AIn the midst of other priorities, schools can choose to view this emerging pressure for change from their student body in either a positive or negative light. On the positive side, through the growing use of the Internet outside of school, educators have the opportunity to expand their reach and to engage students in new and thoughtful ways. On the negative side, the sanctity and tradition of the four walls of the classroom quite literally is melting away. Students are likely to be increasingly dissatisfied with conventional approaches to teaching and learning and to the limited resources available to them in all but the best equipped schools.
(Douglas Levin and Sousan Arafeh, 2002)
Right from the mouth of students One
Our school is starting something new this year which I feel would benefit many students! We now have a seperate computer lab that we are able to use for our cyber classes, and there is a teacher there if you need any help or assistance with whichever class you are taking!
September 19, 2007
New Icon set for SCCS
And so we are getting closer to creating a complete set of icons and announcement tools for the courses at Saskatoon Catholic Cyber School.
Rescuing Recess
Experts say fresh air and play give kids an edge in their school work. Yet, only 8 state school boards of education have a policy that ensures daily recess. Further, 55% of PTA leaders feel their school’s recess is in jeopardy. So Cartoon Network has created a successful, award-winning national movement called “Rescuing Recess” and National Recess Week (9/24/07-9/28/07) to safeguard and promote daily recess!
Cartoon Network - Rescuing Recess
September 18, 2007
Why did you decide to take cyber school? The Last Part
I could not fit the class I wanted to take into my schedule.
just seeing if i like it better that the actual history class.
no classroom interuptions
I needed Christian Ethics 30 but didn't have room for it in my schedule.
fun, exciting and flexible
so i can work on it on my own time
i need to upgrade my math A30 and i work in the mornings so i have no time for school. that is why i toke it on cyber school
Easiest way to get this class in and because I can manage my time well enough to be successful while taking a course on cyber school.
I chose to take online education, because it is more flexible, and allows me to take other courses.
I like to get ahead in my classes
I couldn't fit the class in my schedule otherwise.
I had a spare peroid at school and decided to go for another credit.
I wanted to take another class that did not fit on my schedule, so I decided to take it online.
I needed to catch up on my studies
i had to take more classes in order to graduate and it was a way to get extra cridits while having a full schedual
It works into my schedule
I am doing online coarses because I need a few more credits, and am currently working full time so being able to do cyber school any time of the day makes it alot more conveniant for me.
It helps me with finishing school on my own time it allows me to accomplish more.
I decided to do online education because i need some more credits to graduate and my school is not offering Math B30 and it's something i'm interested in.
More flexible times so I can work on regular school days.
It gives me more time to get other things done. And your not always being distracted by other students, and or people.
My schedule couldn't fit all of my desired courses, so the only way to complete history as well as the rest of the courses I wanted to take was to take History 30 online.
I wanted to take a class online that wouldn't have fit into my schedule as I would have liked it to.
Well I took Grade 9 math in grade 8 and thats where I heard about it. I had a lot of fun and I decided to go on the computer again in grade 9 to do grade 10 math.
i need extra credits to finish grade 12.
So I wouldn't have to be around others, since I don't talk to anyone.
I decided because I want to have the best grades that I can.
i decided to take an online course because, i have been having trouble with a regular course, and i thought that taking this might help me.
Im a independant worker. This way i can learn at my own pace and develop a better understanding of the classes im taking.
Fit my schedual.
so i could make room for other classes
So i would have more time to take other classes in school.
To get another credit.
It will help me to learn on my own time so I can have more time with my daughter.
to gain my grade 12 diploma and earn other credits neccesary for future post secondary education.
so i could make room in my schedule for more classes and try something new
When i heard it was a good way of going at my own pace. Not having to wait, but also not going to fast.
Flexible for my schedule
I have taken Cyber school a few times. Mostly math. I found it was usefull to do some classes on the side instead of doing it in a class room. It is convienant and in some ways better.
To get all the classes I need.
i decided to do online education becouse i need a credit and i am a independent worker
It was a good way to individually do my work and make my schedule less crowded.
I want to upgrade but i dont want to go back to a high school.
I am a 3rd Year University student. I am required to take Calculus 30, in order to get into Engineering.
Our SCCS school server blowed up good.
Friday at about 4:30 our school blowed up, not like a bomb, like a virtual fire. Our server crashed for some reason that is way beyond me. Four hundred plus students without a doorway into their school decide to use the older technology the phone to find out what had happened. Our phone service started to ring off the hook and we started to field the questions. Three days later we are back up and running and the phone has stopped ringing. It is now time to develop a back up plan for the server blowed up issue.
Cause when a server blowed up in a virtual school it kind of feels like this to the administrator.
September 14, 2007
Everyone does it
If there were a test on the current state of cheating in school, I would have gotten an F. My knowledge was as outdated as the stolen answers to last week's quiz. Ask a high school or college student about cheating, and before you can finish the sentence, the person will blurt out two things: "Everybody does it," and "It's no big deal." Survey statistics back up the first statement, and the lack of serious consequences and lax enforcement of academic integrity policies in schools support the second.
Everybody Does It / Academic cheating is at an all-time high. Can anything be done to stop it?
Optical Illusions
I just love these.
Optical Illusions and Visual Phenomena
Why did you decide to take cyber school? Part 55
There was a conflict with the classes being offered. This way i am able to take band.
I needed to upgrade a couple classes in order to get into nursing. Cyber School seemed the best option to fit my busy schedule.
It's an opportunity to gain a skill that will be more and more useful in todays technological age.
I am attending University and I needed to pick up this class. Obviously going to high school isn't an option, plus this is much more convenient.
Correspondance is costley, and with daycares so tight for spaces I can not return to school durning the day because my son would have no where to go. Also I provide childcare in my home durning the day and evenings are our family time and time for one on one with my son.
I chose it because this way i can work full time and go to school
upgrade-flexibility
I'm fluent with computer working, and I decided to take it because I feel I will work better alone, and i hate asking for help in the classroom and I would feel much more comfortable doing it on here instead. I would also like to develop skills that make me have to have ability to take responsibility and being able to complete the work on my own. I also wanted to try out Cyber school with its good feedback that it has.
I have decided to do online education because I am wanting to upgrade my classes so I can persue post secondary education. I am also an independent learner and I can learn at my own pace.
So i can keep my full time job and work around it, while saving money for school in the future. And i want to work at my own pace.
Becuase i have other commitments as well and by using SCCS it allows me to finish my courses when i have time and i am free.
I'm just out of school and need to upgrade some classes to boost my marks for University next year. I chose Cyber School for it because with work I never know when I'll be working, and this gives me to freedom to work shiftwork and still be able to upgrade.
To add another class in my time table and because I like to work at my own pace.
I couldn't take Christian Ethics 20 in class because I'm taking AP English and Band 20. Band 20 alternates days throughout the year with mainstream English, whereas AP English is both semesters.
It will allow me to work on my own and manage my time and have more free time.
i am doing online education because of my schedule availability.
It's easier to fit in my schedule and it doesn't take up a large time block during the day.
i need to, so i can graduate on time
To open up more periods in school so i can do extra math and science classes in gades 11 & 12
I decided to online education because it is alot more convenient, I can work at my own pace.
i decided this so that i could take more elective during school time.
So that I could have a spare
I can pace myself and go at my own level, but I also wanted a spare period at school and taking my class online sounded cool.
I believe, I will have better sucess completing this course online.
I could not get into the course at school because it was already full.
I decided to take cyber school because I need both physics and chemistry to become an electritian. I only had room in my schedule for one of the two classe's therefore I have enroled in cyber school.
I chose to take Physics 30 online because I didn't have room in my schedule to take it at school, and I need Physics 30 to get into the Education program in University.
It gives me more time in the day to do what I would like to do, including fun activities and possibly homework. It gives me the freedom to partake in the course when I want (within the 150 days of course), and finish it at my own leisure!
I wanted to be able to learn history independently. I find it very difficult to learn history in class. I wanted to be able to do it at my own pace.
I decided to do online education because, I am curently searching for a job in the later afternoon to evening time period and this will allow me to have a job and complete my course.
I couldn't fit all that I wanted into my scedule, so I decided to take this course.
so that i could have spears in grade 12
September 13, 2007
Animoto
The contest is open, we will be giving away a memory stick to the best Saskatoon Catholic Cyber School video made using the animoto website.
Contest closes end of October. Send all entries to Ryan Hauber at: rhauber@scs.sk.ca
Why did you decide to take cyber school? Part 54
I have a busy schedule and am trying to graduate on time. Cyber school allows me to work when I can.
Well i need to work and also attend to school to achieve the goals that i need for work
I could manage my time to work around sports. I'm moving to Saskatoon so I figured it would be good to take a class online.
So I could continue my Ukrainian education.
I needed the class as a prerequisite for Calculus 30, and the class would not fit into my schedule.
because it fit into my schedule alot better then regular school
so i could free up a class
There was a conflict with my grade 12 timetable. There was only one MathB30 class available in my first semester and it was at the same time as my french immersion class which can't be changed. I need to take MathB30 in my first semester so I can take MathC30 in my second semester.
I had no choise, I could not fit the class I needed into my schedual.
So I can work at my own pace.
Info Processing 10 was an elective at Bethlehem, but not enough people signed up, so it isn't offered there anymore. Computers are a good thing to know about, so I'm taking this class through cyber school, unless I can get into biology, then I might drop cyber school.
I liek how I can work on it on my own time .. when it works for me.
I wanted to do better in Math B30, and this would mean that I could take it outside of school.
enjoy learning things myself, enjoy using computers, and able to manage my time better with cyber school.
I am expecting in mid October, and wish to continue my education
I decided to do an online education because I am in the french immersion program at my school and there is only one MathB30 class in the first semester and it just so happens that my french class is the exact period as the math class . I need to get my MathB30 completed so I can take MathC30 in the second semester. So I am taking my MathB30 online during my first semester so I can take MathC30 in the second semester and graduate with my three math classes and with my french immersion diploma.
Its reliable to me. I have good computer knowlegde as well, and it flexible with my new life. Also, the school counciler advised me to take History 30 online.
i needed to take a class online if i was going to fit all the classes i wanted to take in my schedule
I thought that knowing how busy I am, it would work into my schedule a lot better to do cyber school so that I don't have to waste time. I can finnish my work in the time it takes me, and ot have to wait for everyone else.
This very well put together course was not available in Manitoba.
Did not complete math 90 course last year. I do not want to fall behind throughout the math course.
just easier for me then in a classroom!
I started out taking cyber school back in 2000-2001 for my grade 9 math and loved it. I could do it at my pace and whenever I wanted to work on it. I took as many classes as I could on cyber school during high school and have come back to get my physics and a few electives.
It is a different way of learning, and it was the only way I could get in all the classes I wanted to take
better time managment
I decided to do online education because it will give me the opportunity to work on my time, I chose the courses that I am best at because then it will be easier for me. I also chose it because when I am in grade ten, I will have lots of classes, I won't have to work all day at school and that stresses me out.
Because it would provide more of a challenge and would help my brain develope at a quicker rate.
1) Flexibility 2) Useful to have a spare during the day while I take Calculus30
I decided to do online education becuase I wanted more credits and more electives than just sciences and maths. I have a difficult schedule to accomidate as it is and this turned out to be an excellent option. I can take a couple classes on here to leave enough room in my schedule for some fun stuff!
I have been with this school before, I went back to correspondence school because I prefered it to looking at a computer because my sight is bad, then swiched back because I liked the school and my past expiriences with it's programs.
I needed the extra space in my timetable to take another class.
It suited my school schedule well.
I am one grade ahead in math and I wanted to take my grade nine math course so I could continue to challenge myself so I signed up for cyber school.
i decided to take this course because it works way better for my scedual.
Because my mom made me.
September 12, 2007
Cyber School doing a better job than F2F according to the students.
I was showing one of my staff members some of the stats we have collected through the new survey available in the student survey area at Saskatoon Catholic Cyber School. They are so cool…check this out.
Question 6:
Did you cheat in anyway in your online course?
Out of 79 responses
15(19%)Yes….64(81%)No
An interesting stat by itself but check it out compared to question 7:
Question 7:
Have you ever cheated in a face to face course?
Out of 79 responses
25(31.6%)Yes….54(81%)No
Now don’t that blow your socks off… Maybe you teacher in the face to face schools should talk to your peers and get them to work on this stat.
And then this one floored me…
Question 12
Is the cyber school’s method of course delivery better preparing students than face to face school’s methods?
Out of 78 responses
1 (1.3%)No response…41(51.9%)Yes…37(46.8%)No
Yahooo… students think you are doing a better job then the face to face schools.
Keep up the great effort, you cyber teachers, the results are starting to show.
Why did you decide to take cyber school? Part 53
I decided to do online education because it will be the easiest way for me to pass school. It will help my concentration and take a load off my shoulders from all the stress at school. With online education I will be able to work at my own pace, which is exactly what i need. When I thought about it, i knew i would have a chance.
More free time during year
because I like to work at my own pace
I chose to do online education because I didn't want to chose a different class in a small amount of time, which the substitute teacher said i had to.
I didn't want to do year long Christian Ethics along with Band.
Because it is free and money is hard to come by when going to school!
It is the only alternative offered for scheduling conflicts at my school.
I need to take it in order to have time to train competetive gymnastics which means I need two fifth period spares.
My schedule didn't allow me to take Christian Ethics next year.
To be able to further education in other areas.
so i can work at my own speed. im not good at history
because i have two children at home both are young babies and it is hard to find daycare and so on so forth to be able to help me out with getting my education
Convenience is a huge factor.
Well, I decided to take cyber school because I did not have room in my time table for all the classes I wished to take.
Best way to upgrade
I have decided to be a vet tech and I need seven level 30 credits to get me into the program. This seemed like a perfect solution.
I chose to do an online course because it fits better with my schedual as opposed to going into the school.
I needed a space for another class so I decided to take Christian Ethics online.
Because I decided to try to get into a different program for University and I need some high school credits.
i thought i'd try something new and i wantedto take ukrainian
I decided to get online education because I had troubles learning from the only chem. 30 teacher at my school, I do fairly well with computers, and I wanted to explore a different form of learning.
My school doesn't offer Creative Writing 20 and Journalism 20. In the future I would like to go into Journalism. I believe that it is important for me to take as many English courses as possible.
Because I need to get my physics 20 and physics 30 but I'm going to university in the fall and it is much more easier to do the work on-line instead of going back to high school.
i need to take online education because i came back from kelowna where i went to school and there is only one grade 12 english and in saskatchewan there is two so i need english b30 and need to finish it by the end of school to get a saskatchewan diploma
I've been homeschooled since Grade 2 and am excited about the continued flexibility offered through cyber school while obtaining the credits required for grades 10-12.
I decided to take online courses for my ukranian because there was no in school ukranian class available.
i need to get my diploma. with a flexible schedule
Get this course out of my way while I can, easier year for me next year, lets me go at my pace.
Because it is fun and you can do it at any time of the day.
I decided to use the online education because this was the only I could take this class because it is not being offered at my new school.
It was recommended by my grade 7 teacher, as well as my principal.
Because i like computers
It's the only wayI can get all the credits necessary for Med school without killing myself in grade 12
September 11, 2007
Why did you decide to take cyber school? Part 52
I wanted to learn Ukrainian and this was the only way that it was being offered at our school, so I tried it out.
I wanted to upgrade some of my classes which I did not get a good mark in. I decided to take biology 30 because it is a pre-requisite to a program I may take later on.
Well, what I wanted to do was get 11 credits instead of 10. I don't know if credits mean anything but that is why I took it. I also wanted to take it because it would be a good idea to understand it in my gr.10 year than in my last year of school and trying to figure out all about cyber school, and not getting good marks for my senior year. Thats why i took this coarse, but im a guy with alot of question so you better be prepared. hahaha
I'm a very motivated independant learner and I need some space to be able to have a flexible learning plan.
i didn't have enough room on my time table for all the class' i wanted.
want to continue ukrainian language in high school
So that I can work at my own pace
It is convenient and I need this class.
I needed to finish Christian Ethics 20.
I needed a way to increase my average to gain admission into the university courses i would like to take. I wanted to do this, while still being able to work during the day so that i can continue to accumulate funds towards my university education.
convenience
I choose to do online education because I'm able to work at my own pace and the courses are more challenging, I am always up for a challenge.
I don't know.
Because i cant take this course at my school
I decided to go this route so that I could take all of my I.A. courses. If I didnt, I would have had to drop one of my classes so that i could take this manditory coarse.
Because I needed to have another credit
i needed to get my last credits in order to get my diploma
I decided to do online education because I was tired of moving, and changing schools. I wanted to get a full time job and finish my High School on my own time. Also I was tired of taking courses I didn't need In order to become what i wanted to become in life.
i am very busy with baseball and work and this allows my time to be felxable
i was having rouble in my original class
independent, needed extra credit
It would be easier for me.
Lack of weekday freetime
To have more flexible hours to work
It allows me to work and go through my final classes to graduate, therefore, giveing me free time and money.
I need a history 30 credit to graduate.
I did it for for C.E 10 and 20 and I liked the freedom and the independence that it gave me.
less distraction than a classroom -I'm good with computers and I find it the best and most efficient research tool -I went back to get my adult 12. I wouldn't have known anyone and I thought I might feel a bit socially awkward.
Convenience.
I decided to take an online education course i believe it would be a different learning expreience for me.
i wanted to do a class online so that i could work on it when i wanted to and also so i could take english honours and band.
I decided to take an online class because I wish to attend the soccer academy at St. Joes and I needed to take this class online in order to take the soccer academy and meet educational standards.
September 10, 2007
Quote of the Day
Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world..
Comments: From Fear to Freedom: Empowering K-12 Students Online blog entry on September 6th 2007
I was wondering... Is this something you wrote? I would like to write about it on my blog, but I am not sure who wrote the original piece.
Whoever wrote it, it gets you thinking in some good directions.
Posted by Nancy McKeand at September 7, 2007 7:57 AM
Our Cyber students already have email access with us- are you looking at this as a system wide protocol or ? The biggest hang-up in-school teachers will have is the time to spend with this communication tool- they would need time allotted for it or it won’t happen.
Posted by Cyber Staff at September 10, 2007 10:06 AM
• Describe the stages of mitosis – prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
this one is vital ;)
Posted by Cyber Staff at September 10, 2007 10:07 AM
I actually like his anarchistic approach to education. To that End I have sent Darren’s school board e-mail, home e-mail, cell phone number and AIM, MSN handles to the entirety of my contacts list and students in both of my courses.
I am of course not serious, but while I do like this approach I can almost hear the responses from others who say, yes but I don’t want them to have that information of mine. I do think that openness is a key to effective and constructive online teaching and learning, and the establishment of learning communities.
However, I also wonder at the feasibility of following this kind of suggestion. Are we stuck in the constraints of a education system, or are we hiding in it, and saying we can’t extend this kind of freedom when really it is our reluctance not our limitations? Not sure, but it was actually a good read. To be honest, my first thought was to read it out of pity, but thanks, it was better than a pity read.
Posted by Cyber Staff at September 10, 2007 10:08 AM
Alright, after a year of having my brain turned on low, this week has offered me much to think about. I enjoyed the article and appreciated many of the points the author made. What I have found, so far, is that cyber school is a much more effective way of teaching for me. I do think the students feel as though they can contribute to discussions without fear of being ridiculed, and everyone gets an equal amount of time or space to put in their thoughts. Their posts also seem much more honest than what I would get in a face to face classroom. You will always have people who cannot work without someone standing over them and telling them to, but so far I have seen students who are happy to take responsibility for their own learning.
Posted by Cyber Staff at September 10, 2007 10:09 AM
I don’t know how to react. One side of me says that limitations of any kind are a form of censorship. Another side of me thinks that some students, especially some younger ones, may need the structure and limitations in order to stay on task. It could be a matter of efficiency as well, giving direction by limiting options – but maybe that isn’t our job as educators – but maybe it is. Do we give all students the freedom to do what they want on-line? I think we have to ask ourselves if parents give their children that freedom at home? Almost everyone I know have restrictions on their children’s online activities. We are acting in loco parentis, and educational institutions should be accountable. It could be looked at the same way as having a legal drinking age, legal driving age, legal gambling age, film ratings, video game ratings…
On another note, while I was reading I was wondering if CyberSchool has an ‘official’ mission statement. I read through our ‘philosophy’ but is that our mission statement? Having a brief ( approx. 5 sentence ) mission statement that focuses on our Catholicism and our cutting edge technological medium/environment would be very cool. Something we can throw out there and have the world take notice of…
Posted by Cyber Staff at September 10, 2007 10:10 AM
The emerging Laptop Schools
Schools currently pay about $400-500 per student a year for textbooks. The price of laptops is dropping into that range. Nicholas Negroponte and the MIT Media Lab have developed a $100 laptop for students in developing countries, but there is a growing clamour to make this machine available to students in developed countries as well. Intel has started supporting the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) initiative.
The Emerging Laptop Schools - Northern Blue - Canada's Leader in Digital Publishing
Voice Thread
this little tool is so easy to use and what cool applications for an online classroom. Check it out.
McToonish ? My First Attempt at Using VoiceThread
Why did you decide to take cyber school? Part 51
i decided to do online education so that i could take 11 classes instead of the required ten. it was the only way i could it in all of my classes. i also tok C.E. online because i feel i canbe more open about my opinions.
I decided to take online education because I wanted room to take an extra class in grade 12.
Because I need a higher grade in this class to apply to get into the university of commerce, and I could do it while still working a full time job.
so i could finish my homework in a spare and still have ten classes next year
Because I could not fit all of my classes I wanted to take into my schedule
Want to get this class done so there is less work in grade twelve.
I wanted to do cyber school cause I thought it would be a good experience.
I decided to do online education because i wanted to experence learning in a new way.
I decided to do this so I could get an extra class in in Grade 12.
I became quite ill, and had to miss many classes. I was unable to catch up in math 20, and needed to lighten my load. Therefore, my next option was to take math 20 on cyber school, in order to stay on track.
Because i didnt have enough space to take all the classes i need in school so i have to take an online course
To be able to do the work better and manage my time and to pass Math A30
faster
because i am an independent learner and i need to upgrade my math 20
I made a career change and need some highschool classes that I didn't take when I was in highschool. I need these classes to get accepted into SAIT to persue my career choice.
Sometimes people learn better from a different perspective, so I decided to give it a try.
In order to take the classes that I would not have been able to take, or fit in at school.
Its different, and probably more helpful, you don't know how things are until you have tried them, i thought i would give it a shot
The teachers at my school do not teach it properly.
I decided to take this course, simply because I am not in school until, September and i want to get some schooling done.
It was an option between wellness and cyber school, so i choose cyber school. The reason i chose it was that i enjoy computers.
So i'd have more time.
It was one of the only classes remaining for me to take.
i thought it would be a great expirience. I know that i can finish it up and have time for my other classes.
It gives me the freedom to do the class when it fits into my schedule.
I decided to online educate myself because i wasnted to try something new. Something more exiting than sitting in a classroom dying of bordom. this way, if i do it online, i can get a spare and do the class on the computer. Im on the computer 24/7 anyways so it wont be a problem.
I wanted to do a course where I could do it on my own time, because this semester I have been away lots. I would like to do my best to get the highest mark possible, for University entrance.
The class that I wanted to take was not available at school but I still really wanted to take it, this cyber school offered the class so i am going to take it online.
I'm involved in sports, and because of it, I often didn't have time to complete all of my homework for the next day
I couldn't fit all of my classes that i wanted to take.
I decided to do this because my school does not offer this class.
No other classes...
I have been sick and unable to attend school. My teacher recommended I try it.
September 7, 2007
Why did you decide to take cyber school Part 50
Because I wanted an extra credit and need to hit the gym.
I decided to do online education because I wanted to try something new and I've heard excellent comments regarding Cyber School.
I decided to take History online because I need to have time to focus on my other classes when assignments in those classes are a priority. I need more of an opportunity to manage my own time.
Because the French Immersion track at Feehan made it hard to take all my Math 30's, without having to sacrifice my Visual Arts Classes
Work at own pace.
I chose online education because i like being able to work independent and i can work ahead if i wish or i can work when i have time.
Needed to restart EnglishB30.
I was looking for a unique learning experience and wanted to challenge myself through independent studies.
i thought that it might be more flexible
time management
I like to work at my own pace without having regular classroom disruptions.
I would like to have the opportunity to take more courses or have a spare.
I am taking this course as a refresher course so that I won't forget all the information that i have learned before I take my next course in the upcoming year.
well i was talking our school consluer and she told me that i could take math on the computer and i liked that idea so i decided to do it
I decided to take this cyber school class so I can graduate.
I decided to take online education because I wanted to take another elective and by taking a class online I had room for it.
I am a very busy person. I learn quickly and I like to do so at my own pace. I am good a managing my time, and I am an independant learner.
I need another credit to graduate.
I was really struggling with the teacher trying to help me in class, and I find it easier to work alone
Because I did a course online before and I enjoyed being able to work at my own pace, and not having a teacher breathing down my neck at all times.
Have to do it to Graduate.
because i failed some of my classes next semester nd i need these 2 credits to graduate. But i wasn't able to take them in class due to scheduling conflicts.
I need the class to graduate, and I already have a full course load at school.
I need to take this couse so that I can complete all the classes that I need/want to be the end of grade 12
Because I wanted to receive a higher average in one of my classes, so I decided to take my class on cyber school, instead of taking it in my second semester. I was also way to busy last semester, and the classes that I'm taking this semester I will be needing in the future, and I'm also not someone to drop a class. Also the teacher I had for the class that I am taking on cyber school was very knew and had no idea of the course that they were teaching. My teacher was more of a math teacher than a science teacher.
i wanted to take eleven classes bext year, but i only have ten periods to fill. so i thought i'd online classes
I decided to do online education because in order for me to take the classes I wanted I had to take a cyber school class.
Because I couldn't fit everything onto my schedule and I thought it would be a good experience to complete a class on my own time, instead of rushing through everything and not really undersatning it all.
September 6, 2007
From Fear to Freedom: Empowering K-12 Students Online
This is one awesome document. Take the time to read this.
Good teachers never teach anything.
What they do is create the conditions under which learning takes place.
Samuel Ichiye Hayakawa
Something there is that doesn’t love a wall, and wants it down.
Robert Frost, Mending Wall
Think of any K-12 school or district. It could be the one you or your children attend, or you may be employed by one. Take a moment to dig up the school or district's mission or vision statement.
Here are some excerpts from the first five Google hits using the search phrase "School District Mission Vision":
• "... achieve their full potential as competent … citizens."(1)
• "... preparing all students to succeed in a dynamic global society."(2)
• "... build a solid foundation … in … reading, writing, speaking, computing"(3)
• "... ensures every child is a … productive member of our community"(4)
• "... prepares our children with the tools and skills to succeed in a changing global environment."(5)
Examples from Hamilton, Halton, Peel and Toronto in Ontario, Canada:
• "... contributing citizens in a challenging, changing, ... world." (Hamilton-Wentworth)
• "... proficiency with technology in order to adapt to a changing world ." (Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic)
• "... prepares our students ... as responsible, participating citizens of the global community." (Halton)
• "... able to contribute to society." (Halton Catholic)
• "... lifelong learning." (Peel)
• "... meet the challenges of the future." (Dufferin-Peel Catholic)
• "... knowledge, skills, ... to become responsible members of ... society." (Toronto)
• "... technological instruction." (Toronto Catholic)
• "... changing world community." (York Region)
• "learning community of collaborative partners." (York Region Catholic)
Clearly, educational institutions (likely including your own) have made it their mission to prepare students for a changing world—but do they actually do it? Even with significant reform efforts, K-12 curricula have not changed dramatically since the 19th century. Which of the following do you think best prepares our children to succeed in a changing global environment?
• Express y = ax2 + bx + c in the form y = a(x – h)2 + k by completing the square.
• Describe the stages of mitosis – prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
• Recognize and use passé composé of verbs conjugated with être.
• Identify by characteristics the major rock types (for example, igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic).
- or
• Handle and compose email.
• Participate in conferences and bulletin boards.
• Navigate and create electronic content in a variety of forms (for example, web sites).
• Use instant messaging.
The first list is the sort of mandatory information found in high school courses throughout the world, while the second list (with the possible exception of navigating web sites) would be difficult to find anywhere in a standard school curriculum. Information technology programs in my jurisdiction are optional, begin only in high school, and focus on basic applications, such as programming and hardware concepts. While these topics and the various academic disciplines are all worthwhile to one degree or another, it is an absolute that citizens of our dynamic global society must be able to communicate and collaborate effectively online, whether the curriculum calls for it or not.
In the United States alone, it is projected that email volume will grow from 1.5 trillion in 2003 to 2.7 trillion in 2007. Ninety-one percent (91%) of adult Internet users send or read email, and an estimated 147 million use it daily. The next most popular online activity is using a search engine to find information(6). In Canada (pop. 32 million), 8 million households have Internet access, with two-thirds of those using a high-speed(7) connection. In the Canadian business world, email is used in 74% of private businesses, and 99.8% of public sector institutions(8). Online courses, training programs, and post-secondary degrees have also proliferated wildly in step with the growing connectivity of our planet.
Given the pervasiveness of online communication and learning, and given our common educational mission to prepare students for the world, it is clear that all K-12 institutions should support and encourage student use of email and other tools. But in your own school or district how many of the following statements are true?
Does your district:
• allow students to send or receive email on school computers?
• provide district email accounts for some students?
• provide district email accounts for all students K-12?
• maintain uninterrupted student email accounts for their entire school career?
• allow students to exchange email with all students in the district? ... with all staff? ... with the outside world?
• allow and provide technology for students to publish web sites for classwork?
• allow students to maintain class, school or district web content?
• maintain electronic conferences/forums for student-student and student-staff collaboration?
• allow students to moderate such conferences/forums?
• allow students to create and edit content on the district intranet?
• allow students to use instant messaging (IM) in any form?
• ensure students are represented on decision-making committees regarding IT and/or the above?
In my own district, I feel fortunate (after years of collaboration with open-minded technical and
academic staff) that all of the above are true. We still have some limitations (for example, instant messaging is just being tested by pilot student groups), but we have successfully crossed the threshold of bringing K-12 students and staff together online. This breakthrough has allowed for the rapid evolution of a healthy, vibrant online learning community in which:
• learning in face-to-face programs is greatly augmented and supported
• literacy is supported through increased reading and writing opportunities and initiatives
• students and staff collaborate in class, club, school and regional electronic conferences
• knowledge bases and discussions evolve on topics ranging from poetry to physics
• students develop and refine critical ICT skills
• all users respect and appreciate the principles of positive online cultures.
Even though these benefits are readily apparent to many people, the real shocker is that so few
districts have acted on this knowledge. Instead, student use of email, instant messaging, or other tools is often restricted or forbidden outright. To move beyond paralyzing fear-based thinking we might compare it against freedom-based solutions taken from real online student environments.
Freedom-Based Response
Fear-Based Thinking Students will misbehave online.
Of course they will misbehave, but not nearly as much as feared. When we trust
students (rather than take a "guilty-until-proven-innocent" attitude) it is amazing
how positively students respond. From our own incident data, the median number
of misbehaviours requiring followup by school staff (per school, over an 8 month
period) is one (1) incident requiring 8 minutes of followup. At the district level, out
of 45,000+ students, 18 had their email rights suspended by central IT or program
staff at some point during the 04-05 school year.
Districts already grapple with issues involving free email (e.g., hotmail) and web (e.g., geocities). Giving students district-based accounts ensures positive follow up on identification, thus reducing anonymity and misbehaviour. By proactively promoting student Acceptable Use Guidelines (AUG's) and modelling positive online culture it is incidents. possible to eliminate serious misbehaviour almost entirely.
If students misbehave on the system we will shut it down.
It's not our responsibility, they will learn this stuff on their own.
If a fight breaks out in the playground should we close the school? What is the
bigger error--giving online freedom and having a few abuse it (type 1 error) or
removing freedom so nobody can learn or communicate (type 2 error)? Those
pre-occupied with preventing type 1 errors need to be reminded that it is necessary
for a small amount of misbehaviour to exist in order to provide a free, powerful and
open online community.
The IT folks, teachers, Superintendents won't let us do it. We can't control this, it is too big and
scary. We must put in place many restrictions, students don't need to ...
The students will be put on a separate system from staff. We don't have the money, time,
personnel, leadership, interest, etc.
It is our responsibility (see above). If we leave students to learn from the
dog-eat-dog live chat world (e.g., MSN), where teens are urged to commit suicide
by their anonymous online peers and responsible, adult moderation is limited or
non-existent, we have abdicated our responsibility as educators. It is fascinating to
observe students in our district when they first encounter an asynchronous
discussion conference. They typically start using it like a live chat room (posting
many short, insignificant emails in rapid succession). It is rewarding to later see
them writing complete, purposeful messages, sensing their appreciation for
netiquette and seeing that they understand the complimentary nature of
synchronous and asynchronous collaboration. As outlined earlier, we have a mission
to live up to.
Decisions about student learning and communication online should be made jointly
by technical, academic, administrative staff (and students where possible). IT staff
are highly skilled but may not have worked at length with students in schools.
Senior administrators are strong leaders and regulatory experts but hail from a
generation that adopted ICT later in life. Teachers may not appreciate the district's
technical challenges. A champion (from any domain) must come forward and lead a
representative group of stakeholders to a democratic conclusion on the technical,
educational and legal perspectives on these important decisions.
Start small. There are always keen teachers willing to work with their own class of
students online. In cases where the entire student body at a school are given email
accounts, only a fraction will adopt in the first year anyway. The key is to provide
as much freedom and openness as possible from the outset. Adoption rates must be
balanced against system resources, AUG inertia, staff experience and technical
readiness. In any case, the primary attitude should be one of freedom and
openness to avoid unnecessary restrictions that will hamper success and cause
more issues than they prevent (see below).
Significant restrictions hamper learning and may actually encourage unwanted
behaviour. The knee-jerk reaction to limit student powers is a sure path to failure.
For example, one common restriction (where students are granted district email) is
to only let them address other students in their class or school. This limitation
prevents a whole dimension of inter-school and regional collaboration that we have
seen first-hand. See "openness and empowerment" below for more details.
The classic, fear-based response to compartmentalize is not only unnecessary but
wholly unworkable for a true collaborative community. There is no need and no
point in putting students on a separate system (or having teachers and
administrative staff on two systems for that matter). In fact, any move in this
direction will only lead to ineffectuality and failure.
Compared to the resources required for enterprise HR, financial or student
administration systems, providing district student email will seem like peanuts, and
should be judged at least as important as balancing the books or scheduling
classes. If adoption and resources cannot be had in a top-down (lack of leadership)
or bottom-up (lack of interest) manner, then pursue the "somewhere-out" approach
which requires only a few random pioneers to begin.
For educational institutions to move from fear to freedom requires only that we trust students. Once we believe that students can and should learn online, our environments will naturally provide the openness and empowerment which is vital for that learning to occur.
Openness
Conferences in our district are open to all users (reading and posting) unless there is an overt,
demonstrable reason why they should be restricted. While some shades of privacy or closed forums are sometimes necessary or beneficial, a lack of openness will generally inhibit learning and foster negative behavior.
Openness ... Privacy ...
-raises awareness + sensitivity - limits awareness + sensitivity
- opens communication channels - closes communication channels
-increases trust - decreases trust
-creates transparency + accountability - creates rumour, distortion + secrecy
-ensures the left-hand knows the right - isolates the left-hand from the right
-slashes bureaucracy + integrates - fragments into disparate groups
-encourages systems thinking - encourages turf thinking
-allows for wisdom cross-pollination - limits the transfer of ideas
-is easier to maintain - requires more setup
-leads to a collaborative online community - does not!
Empowerment (Trust)
Student-staff online collaboration is challenging enough without adding unnecessary restrictions or limits on what staff and students can do. If users cannot quickly and easily create content and build environments, or have to ask permission to do things, they will simply focus their limited time and resources elsewhere.
Online communities not only reflect the educational institutions they serve, they shape them. When staff and students are allowed to collaborate fully in an open system, the result is not only individual growth, but the emergence of an organizational vision for learning from all levels.
Fostering online learning communities requires a culture of freedom, not fear. Our stated mission of preparing students for the world requires that we create open and empowering learning environments where learners can grow into ethical, educated, and effective online citizens.
References
1) http://www.hvrsd.k12.nj.us/district/Superintendent/mission.htm, Hopewell
Valley Regional School District
2) http://www.hssd.k12.sd.us/mission.htm, Hot Springs School District
3)
http://www.myschoolonline.com/folder/0,1872,16830-27295-21-36640,00.ht
ml, Taft School District 90
4) http://nsd.us/schools/kimball/mission_and_vision.php, National School
District
5) http://www.rtsd.org/District_Information/mission.htm, Radnor Township
School District
6) http://www.emarketer.com/Report.aspx?email_jun04, Emarketer, aggregator
of online marketing statistics, recently released its latest E-Mail Marketing
report.
7) CRTC, Status of Competition in Canadian Telecommunications Markets,
November 2004
8) Source: Statistics Canada, 2003, Canadian Economic Observer, Cat. No.
11-010-XIB, June 2004, Ottawa, Canada.
"We must become the change we want to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
Jeff Catania
Instructional Coordinator (eLearning & 9-12 Math)
Halton District School Board
2050 Guelph Line, Burlington, Ontario, L7R 3Z2
905.335.3665 x3250, cataniaj@hdsb.ca
SCCS Survey Results
The following is the results of a survey which deals with the question of Academies. The survey was done is the Saskatoon Catholic Cyber School
More Detailed Statistics Summary: Soccer Academy
Why did you decide to take cyber school Part 49
I decided to do online education because I would really like to work on my chosen subjects at a more reasonable pace.
I chose to do online education because I have some extra time and want to free up some space in grades 11 and 12.
I DECIDEED TO TAKE ONLINE EDUCATION BECAUSE I THUOT IT WOULD BE A GREAT COURSE.
Im good at working on my own, and i like the idea of being able to do my work at home.
Wanted to try something new.
I'm both an independent learner and dependent learner and I've always been on the dependent side of learning so I wanted to give cyber school a shot.
get more credtis
wasn't doing wel in math class, so i decided to try something new
I can do it on my own time.
It fits in my schedule easily.
i have no time to go to school.
I decided to do an online class because it will free up some time for me to do other homework and I can finish it earlier than normal classes.
I wantedtosee if I could do it
I decided to take online education, so that i could take eleven classes in grade 11.
Flexible time, able to move at a faster pace, learning without having to depend on other people, not having to deal with incompetent teachers
I work best alone and seldom require a teacher's assistance.
I decided to do online education in Cyber School because I wanted to take an extra elective, Physics, in high school for grade eleven.
I wanted to take info. pro. 10, but, I did not have enough room in my time table. I decided to take it online so I could take all the classes I wanted too.
Normal school was not working out for me, so i decied to try this out, i was also out of school for a bit, but didn't discover cyber school untill a few weeks ago.
For an Extra credit, because im taking Soccer Academy. We only get 1 credit for it, and its the same amount of time, if you were in 2 classes.
To try to get some of the classes I need while working at my own speed, and possibly working it around a job.
so i did not have to join summer school
I decided to try a cyber school course because I wanted to try something different.
Needed 30 level science to get into univeristy.
More flexibility
For this class I prefer to get all the work done at one time and not have a teacher.
Because due to medical conditions i currently can not attend regular school.
I need more room in my timetable for school and cyber school is a great option for me because I can learn at home and it gives me flexible hours to work.
i have a kid and its easier to go on the computer than to run my kid around to babysitters before school. she is 15 months april 10.
need to graduate
I didnt have enough room in my times table so i took a cyber class so that i would have most of the classes that i need.
So that I could have a more flexible schedual.
To have an easyer class load in grade 12 so I could focus on my studies more in grade 12.
I'm an adult now trying to make it in the world and i've realized that to do that you need a high school diploma. I thought i would have to sit in a classroom at a set time and i was not interested in that. Then i found this program and i thought it would help me out in life a great deal
September 5, 2007
New Icons
I am working on a new set of icons for SCCS and started by using images done by Rokey.
Check them out let me know what you think.
Second Language Education
This website presents a guide to second language organizations and centres, journals, resources and services, and selected thematic sites which have a presence on the web. Canadian sites, the primary focus of this compilation, are highlighted with a flag.
The Second Language Education website serves primarily educators and students concerned with the theory and practice of second (French and English) and minority language teaching and learning.
Second Language Education on the Web
Why did you decide to take cyber school? Part 48
To complete learning on own schedule.
It fits better with my schedule
I decided to take cyber school because I did it for my math 90 course and when I went to do my math 10 in a class I didn't understand it.
flexible schedule and to work at my own pace
Somthing different
So I can still work two jobs while upgrading to go to University.
to finish math10 on my own termsso i feel less stressed
Because its my last opition to pass my required english in order to graduate
so i can have more time to do other things , as i take time for school too.
flexibility
because i can finish more credits in less time
So I could take an extra course next year.
I think it is easier than learning in the classroom.
because there is no ******* way im going back to school.
soccer academy school
Well..not much time togo back to school, as i work in the morning's until the evening, this gives me some time to goto work and come home and do some school work. I also wanna get my schooling over with and graduate, and i thought this would be the best way todo so.
I decided to do online education so I could get my Mathematics 20 outside of physical school.
Because i need another class to graduate
I decided to do online education becuase i need more time for my other classes and out of school activities. I aslo took this course becuase i wanted to try something new.
To get the math i needed to get done while taking other classes for more credits. To do what i want for a career.
I wanted to get an extra credit.
I work nights full time and decided to do this because i can work on it when it is convenient for me.
I decided to do online education so I can take all my science classes next year.
Try something new
I decided to take online education so that I would be able to work in the afternoon's, instead of going to school.
Because I may need it if I go into the Soccer Academy
I wanted to take a class that i was to late to join.
My reason for taking cyber school was because i was short with credits.. The reason was because I moved from Hamilton, Ontario to Saskatoon in 2nd semester of my final year. I had to take a grade 11 course so that I may be able to take Math A30 in the summer for me to attend University in the fall, so which means I had an option to take English B30 online and focus more on my math 20.
Christian Ethics was not offered at my school in Prince George
I decided to do online education so for my grade 11 year, I can continue with band and physical education, while at the same time being able to take all the classes I need to take.
it was better choice then just taken a spare
To upgrade my marks
I decided to do online education because the course wasn't offered at my school and i am interested in it.
I decided to do online education because it's much easier for me to get my work done and be more independent.
I wanted to work on the Christian Ethics course at my own pace.
There was no way for me to earn all of my science and math credits and still have a social life through real classes
i didnt have room in my schedual to take the credit
So I can learn at my own pace.
I want to Improve some of my marks before i attempt to go on to University.
Because I have an interest in computers and thought it would be cool to take some courses online.
I didnt have a choice.
I prefer this style of learning
I wanted to give it a try.
I want to take journalism to become a writer in the future. Also having a spare while earning a credit.
September 4, 2007
Why did you decide to take cyber school? Part 47
I decided to do online education because I am tranfering school and the one I am going to doesn't offer this course, so I am taking it online
so i can try to finish school faster.
Finishing my schooling somehow was of great concern to me, I found this option to be of convenience with my schedule.
I find it easier to work independnlty rather then in a classroom
I needed to take an online course in order to take part in the soccer academy
i feel like teachers werent doing much and i wanna try something new
becuase it helps me and its easier
for more one on one and less rushing. So I could do it on my own time.
I decided to do online education because I wanted to work at my own speed.
no time in school to take the class and it is also full
I made some bad decision as for class selections last semester causing me to have to take six classes this semester and I need to pass all in order to graduate, this online course would be my sixth class, so its important to me to get into it.
because i have a full time job which makes it hard to go to school, and for 1 class i'd rather just do it online
Being able to work and take a class
to upgrade my mark
i decided to use online education because my other classes are full, and i can do this on my own time.
My teacher suggested it, and i decided to go through with the course.
I had too much free time that could be filled up with school work
to upgrade my math a30 mark
Because it allows me to work full time while finishing my schooling.
The option was given to me by my teacher.
The option was given to me by my teacher.
Want to get this class so I have more room for classes this semester.
Because i work at job that allows me to have access and freedom on the internet all day and i needed a couple upgraded marks for university
It works around my hours.
I decided to do online education because I feel that in math I am a slow learner, so I need to work at my own pace.
I failed math 20 and want to try it again on my own. Stupid w/e
My mom has been diagnosed with cancer and is in the hospital. Doing CE on cyber school allows me to spend an extra hour during the day with her at the hospital and also allows me to do my cyber school in my spare time.
Guidence counsellor screwed up!
I didn't want to go back to high school, and decided to work at my own pace at home. I also took this class because I need chem30 for nursing in university.
because they don't offer this at my school
I could not fit all the classes I wanted to take into my schedule.
Because didnt have room at school for more class's
I decided becasue i enjoy working independantly
September 3, 2007
Google earth fans check it out.
The latest version of Google Earth contains a hidden feature: a full-fledged flight simulator! Press Command+Option+A in OS X or Ctrl+Alt+A on a PC or Linux box and you'll be greeted with a hidden dialog box that lets you choose an aircraft (F16 or SR22) and an airport. Once you've made you selection, you'll be placed inside the aircraft. You can then fly around the globe in a free flight simulator, viewing the scenery that is pulled from Google Earth's map files.
Tangled up in Purple : Crashed
Researchers question school in high-tech age
Why, in the Information Age, are students heading back to classrooms?
Researchers say students weaned on collaborative learning with high-tech devices are suffering in classrooms ruled by defenders of lecture-based orthodoxy wielding overhead projectors and reciting from dog-eared history textbooks that climax with Paul Martin's run for 24 Sussex Drive.
"It's not about using technology for technology's sake. It's allowing students to access the right information because of the information explosion," says Mohamed Ally, director of the Centre for Computing and Information Systems at Athabasca University, Alberta's distance-learning pioneer.
globeandmail.com: Researchers question school in high-tech age
Why did you decide to take cyber school? Part 46
Going to a public high school they didn't offer the classes i wanted to take when it came to christian ethics. I have a love of learning when it comes to my church and my beliefs so this was the best option to broaden that knowledge and have lots of fun.
To have s higher average to open more doors for university
more time for course
To learn more independently in relation to a classrom. It's a class that i like to learn and understand at the convinence of my home at my own pace.
I wanted to be able to do more classes in high school.
Because if I didnt take more then the regular five classes offered during the school day, I would not have enough credits to graduate this year.
well, i didn't choose it. i was forced to take it in order to graduate. but i feel that instead of the spare i was given, i could have taken the course instead.
i thought it would fit in to my schedual better and It is a more challenging and unique way to learn.
so i could have spares in gr. 12
I was just very interested!
I need some classes so I can graduate this year.
I decided to try online education so that in higher grades I wouldn't have to do so much math. Then I would also have more oppertunities for learning in high school.
Flexibility
It's convenient and easily accessible
I decided to take cyberschool because i swim 20 hours a week and I needed a course that I could do on my own time.
Need to attain a Physics 30 course to convocate from the College of Kinesiology, UofS
Because this way I can still get ahead in my education and stay home with my son at the sametime.
To be able to acheive a credit during my spare.
It will make my life easier in high school.
so that i can get my credit for mathA30
I decided an online education because it is something different and a challenge.
I chose to participate in the Christian Ethics online course because it gave me more options for classes to take in my regular school day. Thanks to cyber school, I am able to take classes that I need for my post secondary education along with one fun class per year.
So I can do the work at my own pace and have more time to do other things.
To redo my Biology mark, for university.
to graduate
In the past I began Cyber School so I could gain some extra credits while still taking my regular school classes. Now I've joined because it is the most convinent way for me to get the classes I need while still working fulltime.
I am a independent learner.
so i would have time in my schedual to take the classes i wanted
i wanted to try a different kind of learning
Easier to plan around
Flexible schedule
IP10 was going to slow for me, as well as the fact the teacher recomened that I go into cyberschool for this course.
I have more time to do the course, and i dont have people pressuring me to do an assignment everday.
