Canvas is used for the new online classes available at PHS. Because of the nature of online courses Canvas has been extremely helpful in turning in assignments. Photo by: Jon Sommers
By Paige Thompson
To start out the 2014 school year at PHS there were many changes. One change was the availability of online courses.
As the school year came to an end in June of 2014, administrators mentioned that online courses would be available. Students then began to sign up for online courses so they could work independently and at their own pace. The online subjects available for online courses are Econ, Government, and English 12.
Teachers along with the students of PHS knew online classes were aware of a new learning process dealing with technology. This year Mr. David Hatcher and Mrs. Amy Schmeltz became online course teachers. Mr. Hatcher stated, “A student has to be very disciplined and organized with an online course, making sure not to miss an assignment deadline.” He also said “the expectations in an online course are the same as they are in a traditional course.” Mrs. Schmeltz then said, “Students are expected to login to Canvas at least three times per week and are to maintain a course average of a C or better in order to maintain a seat time waiver. Students are required to uphold all of the same academic policies as students in face-to-face classes.”
The main Canvas page for Online Government displays homework, assignment due dates, and tests/quizzes. Mr. Hatcher’s Canvas page is a direct link between him and his students. Photo by: Jon Sommers
From above the teachers and students are adapting to an online course rather than a traditional course. “The grading policy is exactly the same, in other words if you get a 60% (D-) in an online course or traditional course, you pass,” Hatcher said. However, with the online course, “if you have an average below a C-, you have to report to the teacher’s classroom until you improve your grade,” Hatcher said. Then once their grade has improved, students regain the privilege of leaving PHS. This policy has been great help to students,” Hatcher also said. “Online classes during the summer allows students to complete the course prior to their senior year.” “During the summer, online courses test outside of school, but during the school year, online classes test at PHS. There are differences though with being prepared for an online class and traditional courses,” said Mr. Hatcher. Different requirements and materials are needed for online courses. The number one material students need is their laptop. Another variation is where assignments are found and what web tools are used.
Mr. Hatcher said that he communicates with his students “via Canvas, Email, in-person (during office hours in the summer), and any time they stop by during the school year.” Mrs. Schmeltz communicates with her students, “Primarily via e-mail and the Canvas messaging center, but some students come to the media center and I meet with them individually on a daily basis.” In English 12, new software is being used like, “Canvas along with other web tools such as Turnitin.com, the Collections textbook, NoRedInk grammar, vocabulary.com, and more.”
Online classes have also been beneficial for students at PHS. According to Senior Nadia Baca, “I have more time to do the homework for that class and have more room in my schedule for other classes I would like to take.” While taking my online courses she “goes home” and “works independently since the teacher is not there to walk me through it.” Baca said, “ I then procrastinate more because the deadlines are on different dates for different assignments, “I do other homework that is due the next day and hold off my online course.” New software and websites are being used during traditional classes and online courses, but she said “I am not using different software programs during the online course that I am not using in classroom courses.” It might be difficult to get some assignments done, but overall she says “online courses are easier.”
Another student taking an online course is Senior Jason Doody. Doody said, “Online classes allow me to get assignments done on time and also lets me accomplish things at school that I can’t get done at home.” While taking this online course he chooses to “go to his engineering class and work on his robot since I can not work on it at home.” Doody feels online classes are easier than learning in a classroom because “you learn at your own pace and you have things to complete at a certain time, but in addition you can take your time and get it done right.” He also said, “I procrastinate a little bit more because I know it’s not due till Sunday night so I wait till friday night to start most of it.” Communication may be hard to come across since the students are not physically in the classroom, but Doody said, “I think it’s a lot easier to communicate with the teachers. I can send her/him a quick email and get what I need sorted out quickly.”
Overall Plymouth High School added many changes and one major one is the online courses. This gave students and teachers the ability to learn together through new web tools, communication, and organization.