Virtual High School – Initial Evaluations

So I’ve been working on a project and using some of the old, original evaluation and research conducted on the Virtual High School, and it dawned on me that this material has moved A LOT.  It was on the VHS website at one point, but no more.  It also was on the SRI International website for a long time, but only the third year evaluation is there now.  Finally, it was on the Concord Consortium website for some time, but no longer.

So here are the resources that I know about from those first five years – and where you can find them (assuming you still can, as there is one that you can’t).

Reports

Kozma, R., Zucker, A., & Espinoza, C. (1998). An evaluation of the Virtual High School after one year in operation. SRI International.

• ResearchGate – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265287797_AN_EVALUATION_OF_THE_VIRTUAL_HIGH_SCHOOL_AFTER_ONE_YEAR_OF_OPERATION
• Academia.edu – https://www.academia.edu/42103127/An_evaluation_of_the_Virtual_High_School_after_one_year_of_operation

Espinoza, C., Dove, T., Zucker, A., & Kozma, R. (1999). An evaluation of the Virtual High School after two years in operation. SRI International.

• Not available online (I have a print copy)

Appendices B, C, D, E, and F

• ResearchGate – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264872176_An_evaluation_of_the_virtual_high_school_after_two_years_of_operation
• Academia.edu – https://www.academia.edu/42103128/An_evaluation_of_the_Virtual_High_School_after_two_years_of_operation

Kozma, R., Zucker, A., Espinoza, C., McGhee, R., Yarnall, L., Zalles, D., & Lewis, A. (2000). The online course experience: Evaluation of the Virtual High School’s third year of implementation, 1999-2000. SRI International.

• SRI Internation – https://www.sri.com/publication/education-learning-pubs/digital-learning-pubs/the-online-course-experience-evaluation-of-the-virtual-high-schools-third-year-of-implementation/
• ResearchGate – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254654977_The_online_course_experience_evaluation_of_the_virtual_high_school’s_third_year_of_implementation_1999-2000
• Academia.edu – https://www.academia.edu/42103200/The_Online_Course_Experience_Evaluation_of_the_Virtual_High_Schools_Third_Year_of_Implementation_1999_2000 / https://www.academia.edu/42103121/The_online_course_experience_Evaluation_of_the_Virtual_High_Schools_third_year_of_implementation_1999_2000

Yamashiro, K., & Zucker, A. (1999). An expert panel review of the quality of Virtual High School courses. SRI International.

• Academia.edu – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265191558_AN_EXPERT_PANEL_REVIEW_OF_THE_QUALITY_OF_VIRTUAL_HIGH_SCHOOL_COURSES_FINAL_REPORT

Books

Collison, G., Elbaum, B., Haavind, S., & Tinker, R. (2000). Facilitating online learning: Effective strategies for moderators. Atwood Publishing.

• Google Books – https://books.google.com/books?id=YdXCN-vuuCMC&q=inauthor:%22Bonnie+Elbaum%22&dq=inauthor:%22Bonnie+Elbaum%22&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjzvKuCjZz-AhV5BjQIHWrAAroQ6AF6BAgHEAI

Elbaum, B., McIntyre, C., & Smith, A. (2002). Essential elements: Prepare, design, and teach your online course. Atwood Publishing.

• Google Books – https://books.google.com/books?newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&id=CmfuAAAAMAAJ&dq=Essential+elements%3A+Prepare%2C+design%2C+and+teach+your+online+course&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=

Zucker, A. A., & Kozma, R. (2003). The Virtual High School: Teaching generation V. Teachers College Press.

• Academia.edu – https://www.academia.edu/42103117/The_virtual_high_school_Teaching_generation_V (no full text)
• Google Books – https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=z7FxeM_bLL8C&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&ots=fxxTL8hpqm&sig=vcTNfMcYuL9FVYGdDlfWrMkYUI0#v=onepage&q&f=false

Data

Findings from the Baseline Survey of Virtual High School Teachers

• ResearchGate – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/246190463_Findings_from_the_Baseline_Survey_of_Virtual_High_School_Teachers
• Academia.edu – https://www.academia.edu/42103157/Findings_from_the_Baseline_Survey_of_Virtual_High_School_Teachers

For many, pandemic learning was the worst of remote learning

A colleague forwarded to me this blog entry.  It came about because of one of many articles that was published a few months back that continued to conflate online learning with the emergency remote teaching, and later remote teaching, that folks have experienced over the past 18 months.  Check it out…

By:

Carol DeFuria

There was a time when I thought it would be great if everyone was aware of online learning and the impact it can have. How quality online learning gives students access to programs they need and want that are not available to them locally. Fast forward to 2020, and schools are forced to find the quickest emergency remote solution possible and implement it in a day! Because so many had bad experiences with the emergency remote solutions schools were forced to put in place, most people think they know what remote learning (and online learning as a whole) looks like. As a result, I spend much of my time explaining that what folks have seen over the past 18 months was not designed to foster a collaborative online classroom environment. There is a huge difference in the teaching and learning experiences when the curriculum is designed, and technology used to create a true virtual community for students and teachers.

We all know students and teachers who’ve used emergency remote learning over the past year. There have been mixed results. Some students had trouble finding quiet, uninterrupted learning from home, some were not engaged and fell behind, and some teachers had difficulties with this emergency education model, despite the best efforts of schools and educators. Several months into the 2020-21 school year, a survey suggested that many educators were still struggling to teach students online, Education Week reports.

What’s most frustrating to me is that I know a type of distance education that works well, because I’ve lived it and breathed, it, for more than twenty years. Back then, our goal at VHS, Inc. (now VHS Learning) was to discover if online learning could provide high school students regardless of their economic circumstance or geography, with equal access to education programs that prepare them for careers, college, and life. (Hint: yes it can!). Now, more than 700 high schools use the VHS Learning program to help provide expert training to local teachers, give their students access to a teacher-led, engaging, small online classroom experience, and help their students interact with their peers worldwide, taking subjects in all disciplines.

To continue reading, visit https://vhslearning.org/many-pandemic-learning-was-worst-remote-learning

Summer School Starts Next Week!

An item from a US-based K-12 online learning organization.

VHS Learning Summer School Starts June 16th Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

Online Summer School Begins Next Week! Help students build online learning skills this summer with VHS Learning Online Summer School. A wide variety of courses are available for enrichment and credit recovery.      High Quality Courses are rich with activities and assignments to get your students thinking outside the screen. All eligible summer courses are approved for NCAA credit. Teacher Led Each course is taught by a highly qualified teacher. Our average class size is 21 so every student gets the attention they need to be successful. Affordable VHS Learning is a nonprofit organization, and tuition supports the quality of education, like our experienced teachers and small class sizes. Flexible Students can complete their work at any time during the day, as long as they meet the scheduled deadlines for each assignment. 2021 Schedule and Tuition: 4-Week Session: July 20, 2021 – August 13, 2021, 0.5 credits, $275      Visit our website for more information, or call us at 978-897-1900.

VHS Learning (VHS, Inc.) is a nonprofit leader providing world-class online programs to students and schools everywhere. Our program is accredited by Middle States Association (CESS), ACS Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and Cognia and our courses are approved by NCAA.        Copyright © 2021, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: VHS INC 4 Mill and Main Place Suite 510 Maynard, MA 01754

Summer School Starts Next Week!

And an item from a US-based K-12 online learning program.

VHS Learning Summer School Starts June 16th Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

Online Summer School Begins Next Week! Help students build online learning skills this summer with VHS Learning Online Summer School. Over 30 courses are available for enrichment and credit recovery.      High Quality Courses are rich with activities and assignments to get your students thinking outside the screen. All eligible summer courses are approved for NCAA credit. Teacher Led Each course is taught by a highly qualified teacher. Our average class size is 21 so every student gets the attention they need to be successful. Affordable VHS Learning is a nonprofit organization, and tuition supports the quality of education, like our experienced teachers and small class sizes. Flexible Students can complete their work at any time during the day, as long as they meet the scheduled deadlines for each assignment. 2021 Schedule and Tuition: 4-Week Session One: June 16, 2021 – July 16, 2021, 0.5 credits, $275 4-Week Session Two: July 20, 2021 – August 13, 2021, 0.5 credits, $275 8-Week Session: June 16, 2021 – August 13, 2021, 1 credit, $450      Visit our website for more information, or call us at 978-897-1900.

VHS Learning (VHS, Inc.) is a nonprofit leader providing world-class online programs to students and schools everywhere. Our program is accredited by Middle States Association (CESS), ACS Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and Cognia and our courses are approved by NCAA.        Copyright © 2021, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: VHS INC 4 Mill and Main Place Suite 510 Maynard, MA 01754

Register Now for Summer & Fall Online Courses

Another item from a US-based K-12 online learning program.

Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

Registration is open for 2021-2022!

All VHS Learning courses are open for registration! Your students can choose from over 250 classes including fall, full-year, summer school, and ongoing credit recovery! Our curriculum is fully online and incorporates interactive group assignments enabling students to connect and build relationships safely. Schools can offer VHS Learning to help students earn credit in core courses, explore new subjects, and achieve academic goals. Fall and full-year classes begin September 8th. Register now for best availability! Fall & Full-Year Courses VHS Learning offers fall, spring, and full-year courses that fit into students’ busy schedules. From STEM courses with hands-on labs to humanities that broaden their understanding of the human experience, students can always find something to pique their interest. Summer School 4 and 8-week summer sessions begin June 16th! Summer courses are teacher-led, have established deadlines, and are available for 0.5 and 1 credit. All eligible courses are NCAA-approved. Advanced Placement® AP® classes give students the opportunity to study advanced topics in high school and potentially earn college credit. Offering AP® online is a great way to provide options for students that are otherwise too costly. VHS Learning students consistently score higher than the national average on AP® exams. Flexible Credit Recovery Flexible courses are self-paced, so motivated learners can complete their course in as little as four or eight weeks. Courses are available for 0.5 and 1 credit and can start at any time.

Did you know that students and parents can register and pay for VHS Learning courses individually? Students will be provided with transcripts to submit to their school for credit. If you would like to provide this option for your students and parents, please send them the link: vhslearning.org/get-started. VHS Learning (VHS, Inc.) is a nonprofit leader providing world-class online programs to students and schools everywhere. Our program is accredited by Middle States Association (CESS), ACS Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and Cognia and our courses are approved by NCAA.     Copyright © 1996-present VHS, Inc. All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: VHS INC 4 Mill and Main Place Suite 510 Maynard, MA 01754