Apex Learning - Curriculum and Instruction

Transcription

1 Apex Learning INSIDER QUARTERLY DIGITAL CURRICULUM NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2014 Center Stage Metropolitan School District of Warren Township What s New Middle School Curriculum People Behind the Business Jean Sharp Vice President of Content Development Apex Learning John Keller from Metropolitan School District of Warren Township in Indianapolis, IN 1

2 Welcome A letter from the CEO With the end of summer approaching, you re undoubtedly busy preparing for the start of school. As you do so, please enjoy our latest Apex Learning Insider, a quarterly newsletter developed to keep you up to date on how we at Apex Learning are evolving our digital curriculum solutions to support high expectations for all students. In this edition of the Apex Learning Insider, we take a closer look at the student experience, and how personalizing instruction empowers students by putting them at the center of their learning. Students come to school at different levels of academic readiness, which is why our digital curriculum is designed to support all students, from those in need of additional support to those capable of accelerating their learning. Based on frequent requests from our district partners to provide curriculum for middle school, this month s issue includes the release of the first math and English language arts Tutorials for middle school. The new middle school curriculum is based on state and national standards, including the Common Core State Standards. Our partner districts often share their successes with us, including improved student outcomes and increased graduation rates. In this issue we feature the Metropolitan District of Warren Township in Indianapolis, Indiana. The district recently began using Apex Learning digital curriculum and is already improving results. In this issue we also introduce Apex Learning s Vice President of Content Development, Jean Sharp, who shares her passion for developing content to help students gain confidence in themselves as learners. Jean talks about how her team creates engaging and effective curriculum that puts students at the center of their learning. She is committed to supporting educators and students with high quality learning solutions to ensure positive outcomes. We look forward to your feedback on this edition of the Apex Learning Insider and we always welcome suggestions you may have for additional topics. Sincerely, Cheryl Vedoe CEO, Apex Learning 2

3 Table of Contents Apex Learning INSIDER Summer QUARTERLY DIGITAL CURRICULUM NEWSLETTER Letter from CEO 3 Table of Contents 4 Center Stage Metropolitan School District of Warren Township: One District s Quest to Increase Student Achievement and Enhance the Learner Experience 6 People Behind the Business Interview with Jean Sharp Vice President of Content Development 7 What s New Middle School Digital Curriculum 8 News Room Apex Learning In the News We ve gone Social! 9 Peer to Peer District personnel on their experience with Apex Learning digital curriculum 10 Award of Excellence 11 Calendar of Events 3

4 Center Stage: Metropolitan School District of Warren Township in Indianapolis Warren Township Redefines Educational Paradigms The Metropolitan School District of Warren Township knew that a significant investment in technology alone was not going to help administrators achieve the academic gains they were seeking. The suburban school district, located on the east side of Indianapolis, Indiana, and a 2013 recipient of a Race to the Top grant, wanted to redefine its traditional educational paradigms. We no longer have to wait until a student fails a test to discover the student didn t understand the concept. John Keller Director of elearning Warren Township Administrators were looking to provide state-of-the-art digital resources for students and staff that would enable them to meet students diverse needs while supporting a rigorous and engaging learning experience. The initiative would extend beyond simply providing each student with his or her own device and Internet access. John Keller, the director of elearning at Warren Township, was seeking a digital curriculum that would allow teachers to take full advantage of the technology. His goal was to implement a curriculum that would provide students with new methods of exploring, testing, and applying their knowledge in a format that would excite and motivate them. Meeting a Range of Needs Impressed by the successful track record in increasing student achievement, and the breadth of its curriculum catalog, an administrative review team selected Apex Learning. Offering Comprehensive Courses for both original credit and credit recovery, the district is addressing a wide variety of instructional and program needs. Help with High-Stakes Exams and Targeted Remediation In addition, teachers are finding success using Apex Learning Tutorials to prepare students for high-stakes exams, provide targeted intervention and remediation, and 4

5 APEX LEARNING INSIDER Spring 2014 INSIDER Summer 2014 enhance initial instruction. Interactive and studentcentered, Tutorials enable students to move through instruction at their own pace as they receive continual support and feedback. Since the program was implemented, teachers have experienced success with Tutorials. Students in Betsy Rigby s algebra I class are assigned Tutorials units that focus on the gaps her students have in their learning. Students like that they can choose how they want to learn an interactive lesson, a video or by moving directly to formative assessment. Rigby appreciates that concepts are presented using multiple teaching strategies. There are only so many ways I can create a graphing problem; with Tutorials, one topic may be presented five different ways, said Rigby. The district s initial focus is to support students who have failed math end-of-course exams, which require a passing grade to graduate. These students need intensive work. They failed the test previously, and Tutorials ensure that the students understand the concepts they need the next time they have an opportunity to take the assessment, said Keller. Success for Every Student According to Keller, digital curriculum enables teachers to engage one-to-one with their students in ways previously not possible, offering new options for supporting students with a wide range of needs. Students self-pace through their instruction and access learning supports when needed. As they progress through a lesson, students achieve a deeper understanding of the content by making decisions, participating in interactive exercises, and completing challenging but achievable activities. The more time students spend engaged in learning, the better they understand the material and are able to develop their critical thinking skills. The benefits of digital curriculum extend beyond the student experience by providing teachers with real-time insight into student learning. This critical information ensures teachers can provide each student with the individualized instruction he or she needs to stay on track. Real-time data makes it possible to intervene when and where the student is struggling. We no longer have to wait until a student fails a test to discover the student didn t understand the concept, said Keller. Technology is proving to be highly beneficial in helping us reengage at-risk students, retain students looking for alternatives to traditional classroom instruction, and support students who have not passed their algebra I and geometry end-of-course assessments, explained Keller. It is now possible to provide each of our students with the level of personalized instruction they need to be successful. The district s administrators are thrilled to be able to offer rigorous, standards-based digital curriculum that enables them to meet the needs of each student and provide an alternative to the one-size-fits-all classroom. 5

6 People Behind the Business INSIDER Summer 2014 Supporting Your Success Interview with Jean Sharp, Vice President of Content Development What does digital content bring to the learner experience? Our focus is on developing content that meets the needs of students from those recovering credits toward graduation, or those preparing for success on high stakes exams, to those who need remediation or want to accelerate their learning our goal is to help students gain confidence in themselves as learners. What we find most important is that students appreciate choice. With our digital content, they pick the time, the pace, the path and place of their learning, which allows them to take control of their own experience. Each student s progress holds them accountable and empowers them to take control of their own success. Every part of our content, from the interactivity, to the tone, to the instructional approach, we make very conscious decisions to include purposeful use of media. The learner centered design is evident in the real-world examples to engage students in a way that is meaningful to them and relevant to their own experiences. Text is presented in the same way that a teacher would talk with students, as a learning coach, sharing accessible, engaging and approachable information. What do you hear from districts are the most important aspects of the learner experience? When we talk to our district partners about their needs, there are certain words that come up over and over again, and one of those is quality. There is a strong expectation for the learner experience to be engaging, meaningful, flexible and effective. We are constantly looking to ensure students remain engaged and interested, but also provide teachers with effective resources to support their needs. Our ability to personalize learning and develop content individualized for each student s interests and learning styles is one of the most effective ways to help absorb the content. Will you please tell us about your team and what makes them successful? The content development team creates all of the instructional solutions for Apex Learning and encompasses five functional teams ranging from standards alignment, production, curriculum management to the media team and content editors. We have incredibly talented, creative and diverse individuals who care deeply about the quality of instruction, the approach to learning and the learner experience, which allows us to create curriculum of the highest quality. This spirit of ownership is echoed in the content development mission statement: We have the distinct privilege and responsibility to support student learning by developing high quality learning solutions that produce positive student outcomes. 6

7 What s New INSIDER Summer 2014 INSIDER March 2014 Introducing Apex Learning Middle School Curriculum High Expectations for All Students To help teachers support all students in rising to the expectations set by the standards, Apex Learning is pleased to introduce Middle School Tutorials for grades 6-8. Middle School Tutorials create an innovative approach to instruction, practice, review and assessment that engages today s tech-savvy students. Middle School Tutorials: Mathematics and English Language Arts Providing grade-level instruction for grades 6 8, Tutorials are available in math and English language arts for reading, writing, and language. Tutorials are used to deliver standards-based instruction, provide grade-level intervention and remediation, and prepare students for high-stakes assessments. Based on state standards and Common Core State Standards, Middle School Tutorials provide classroom teachers with key instructional resources to help meet the needs of every student. Middle School Tutorials: Provide grade-level intervention and just-in-time remediation throughout the school year Enhance classroom instruction for every student Ensure all students are prepared for success on high stakes tests Built for Today s Student The interactive, app-like design of Tutorials engages and motivates today s students. Students can choose the way to learn that works best for them. The unique organization of Tutorials Learn It, Try It, Review It, and Test It motivates students to learn while addressing varied learning styles and individual preferences. Learn more about Middle School Tutorials. 7

8 Newsroom INSIDER Summer 2014 In the News Hartford Public Schools Decreases Dropout Rate, Reengages Students with Apex Learning Digital Curriculum Hartford Public Schools partnered with Apex Learning, the leading provider of blended and virtual learning solutions to the nation s schools, to implement a credit recovery blended learning program to provide off-track and returning dropout students with another chance to succeed. Read more» Jubilee Academy helps students learn to belong Union Bulletin PRESCOTT, WA 2014 Jubilee is a private, Christian boarding school for boys ages who have suffered trauma and neglect. It enrolls 40 to 60 students year round, and provides online schooling and experiential learning for its students in addition to group activities and service projects. Read more» BCPS tries new blended learning approach for summer school Baltimore Sun BALTIMORE, MD 2014 This summer, Baltimore County Public Schools took a different approach to teaching summer school. The approach is called blended learning, and it is being used to teach students certain classes with the assistance of a computer program from Apex Learning. Read more» We ve Gone Social Follow us National Blended Learning Conference Where educators explore innovative ways to increase student achievement through blended learning On June 19th educators from across the country gathered in Seattle, WA, for the National Blended Learning Conference. Featuring keynote speaker Jon Bergmann, one of the pioneers of the Flipped Classroom Movement, the conference offered educators an opportunity to discover new ways to personalize learning for all students as well as learn about best practices for effective blended learning. Join a community of innovative teachers and administrators who collaborate and share best practices at regional Blended Learning Conferences. Sign up to receive updates on events in your area. Learn more about Apex Learning National and Regional Events. Blog Understanding NCAA Eligibility for Your School and Students If you teach at a school or in a district with students with aspirations of participating in collegiate athletics, we can help you with the process and requirements for NCAA eligibility. Requirements do change, so it s important to review both the requirements and your school or district s status before the beginning of another academic year. Let s take a quick look at some of the requirements for non-traditional course (online) eligibility. Read more» 8

9 Peer to Peer INSIDER Summer 2014 Hear From Your Peers As a teacher, Tutorials enable me to effectively differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all my students for remediation, intervention, and exam prep. Laurie Humphries Instruction Coach Round Rock ISD, TX We didn t really have a program that could accommodate our students needs for credit recovery. Apex Learning is the first digital curriculum provider we ve used in an effective, widespread manner. Thomas Vacanti Site Coordinator City School District of Albany, NY We implemented Apex Learning digital curriculum because of the rigor and standards-based alignment. The online courses set expectations for high achievement and supported students to learn and succeed. Todd Reed Director of Instructional Technology Temecula Valley Unified School District, CA The fact that each Tutorial module has four sections is a real bonus in my book. Students are able to jump in where they are most comfortable. The interactivity makes the lessons, reviews, and quizzes interesting, and the videos are just hip enough to keep their interest. Bravo! Robin Phares, Technology Integration Specialist Edgewood City School District, OH Tutorials combine all of the resources we were creating, and present them in a student- and teacher-friendly, engaging platform. Steve Ford Principal Highland High School, CA Many of these students wouldn t have graduated on time without this program. The district recorded the largest overall graduating class in its history. Dr. Michael Martirano SMCPS Superintendent St. Mary s County Public Schools, MD We are really enjoying using Apex Learning Tutorials. In the past, teachers struggled with offering differentiated remediation. With Tutorials our teachers can offer targeted remediation personalized for each student. Keshia M. Seitz Technology Integration Specialist MSD of Mount Vernon, IN 9

10 Award of Excellence Celebrating exceptional districts and schools that demonstrate extraordinary vision and dedication to increasing student achievement with their blended and virtual learning programs. Accepting Nomination November 1, 2014 Submission deadline February 13, 2015 Award winners announced April 15, Award Details

11 INSIDER Summer 2014 Apex Learning Events Conference Date State Booth # GACIS Conference /25/2014 GA BASA Buckeye Association of School Administrators 9/30/14 OH MassCUE 10/22/14 MA CUE Fall Conference /24/14 CA NYSSCA Conference 10/31/14 NY VAIS - Virginia Association of Independent Schools /3/14 VA inacol 11/4/14 CA 320 IASP - Indiana Assoc. of School Principals - Fall '14 11/21/14 IN NYSCATE Conference 11/23/13 NY NERIC Tech Awareness Day /12/14 NY elearning / CLRN Strategies Symposium /12/14 CA TASA - TX Assoc of Schl Administrators MidWinter Conference - Jan '15 1/25/15 TX 109 TCEA /2/15 TX 1655 OETC - Ohio Educational Technology Conference /10/15 OH 410 ASTE /21/15 OR WALA Conference /26/15 EI KySTE /4/15 KY 405 CUE Annual Conference /19/15 CA ASCD 3/21/14 TX 11

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