August 9, 2016
By KEITH RYAN CARTWRIGHT
Rutherford County Schools
Ashley Manning, a Latin and mythology teacher at Smyrna High School, had already been contemplating teaching online courses when she received a call from Carol McCauley two years ago.
McCauley, an instructional technology specialist who oversees the online program for Rutherford County Schools, was in desperate need of a Latin teacher.
It was the first week of school and several seniors at Oakland High School needed a second year of Latin to fulfill their graduation requirement. However, the school found itself without a Latin teacher.
“I knew she was strong in how she used her website to support her face-to-face classroom,” said McCauley of her decision to reach out to Manning.
“When the opportunity came it was really exciting just to be able to offer that to those kids at Oakland,” said Manning, who developed the online courses for Latin II and III as the 2014-15 school year unfolded. Latin I has also been added as an option.
RCS Online is a program for students enrolled in high school and has offered a growing list of courses taught online since the 2013-14 school year. RCS Online is a supplemental course program and is not offered as a full-time school option.
In its first year, RCS Online offered 11 courses – eight of which were for a full credit, while three of them were half-credit social studies requirements – and this coming school year the program offers an array of 27 courses, including everything from English I-IV; geometry, finite math, U.S. history and government, environmental and physical science along with art history and general music. (A complete listing of classes available each quarter is available HERE.)
Freshmen are prohibited from enrolling in an online course prior to their first semester in school, and according to McCauley, students who have not previously taken an online course are recommend to start with only one. However, students are allowed to enroll in two online courses in addition to in-school schedules.
It’s estimated that each online course requires eight to 10 hours of study time per week.
“Students need to realize it is work,” said McCauley, who added, “I think kids are getting a more realistic view of it.”
“It’s like with any online class,” Manning said, “to be successful you have to decide that’s what you want to (do). You have to put in the time and the effort.”
McCauley said successful online students need to be realistic about their expectations, able to work independently and she also stressed the importance of time management.
While the program offers flexible timing, virtual attendance is still a vital component and RCS Online is not a “work at your own pace” program. Firm due dates for assignments, quizzes and tests provide participating students with a strict sense of accountability.
In fact, every week begins with McCauley receiving Monday morning emails from teachers listing any missed assignments from the previous week. Students listed are automatically considered to be on academic probation and failure to turn in late assignments can result in being removed from the course.
“I want that word to get out,” McCauley said, “because if they’re not going to put the work into it, I don’t want them to set themselves up for failure.
“My goal is not to kick kids out of class,” added McCauley, who described herself as “sympathetic but honest.”
During the online orientation for students, McCauley repeatedly stresses the importance of taking their online experience seriously from day one. She recommends students work ahead to keep from missing deadlines.
Chadwick Daugherty, a senior at Siegel High School, agreed.
When asked what advice he had for future online students, Daugherty added, “Stay ahead of the program. Try and get at least two or three days ahead, so, in case your Internet or something happens with your computer, you don’t have to worry about it being due that day.”
Daugherty took algebra I and personal finance online to free up traditional class time so that he could graduate with five years of Spanish and two years of Latin.
“They went really well,” said Daugherty, who thought Blackboard Learning is easy to navigate. “I would definitely recommend it for other people, especially if you’re trying to get ahead or take more classes that would help you later on.”
This coming school year, McCauley is expecting fewer than 20 students to enroll in online classes for the first quarter – “that’s OK because kids need to get into the groove of the new school year” – but said the enrollment numbers will increase throughout the year with 65-70 students for the final quarters.
Those figures do not include the 50-60 students from alternative schools, who are taking classes not otherwise offered at their respective schools.
However, in addition to utilizing the program as a way to free up class time for either advanced studies or arts-related classes, some students are hoping the extra coursework will help them to graduate a year or a semester early.
Ultimately the online program provides customized opportunities for student schedules.
“We’re a family,” added McCauley. “I’m the online momma and we’re going to help you learn this online experience.”
PHOTO:
Chadwick Daugherty took algebra I and personal finance online to free up traditional class time so that he could graduate with five years of Spanish and two years of Latin. / KEITH RYAN CARTWRIGHT