Wisconsin Virtual Learning (WVL) Overview
WVL is a statewide and national leader in virtual education. As a public charter school of the Northern Ozaukee School District, our goal is to be both high-touch and high tech - to personalize student learning for each and every one of our students. For the 2010-11 school-year, in addition to grades K-12, we will be serving K4 students across the State of Wisconsin.
What is virtual education?
It's safe to say that education has changed more than a little since the day of the one room school house. Thanks to the advent of personal computers and the Internet, WVL students are able to learn in a very different kind of classroom - their own homes. WVL virtual education is...
- personalized learning to meet the needs of every child
- the most modern materials, technology, and teaching methods
- a supportive learning environment with lots of interaction with teachers and other students - both online and off.
What is personalized learning?
Personalized learning is the result of developing individual learning plans for each and every one of our students. In order to provide the best possible learning environment for all of our students
we have three main learning pathways students can pursue to reach their educational goals. All three pathways include varying levels of teacher contact by a large team of educators (see diagram). The pathway for each student will be determined during a teacher-parent conference held during the spring-summer of 2010 (for new and continuing students):
- Independent Pathway: using our school website, students access their classes, lessons, assignments, quizzes, tests, etc. High ability or gifted students may go through the curriculum at an accelerated rate, as they quickly demonstrate mastery of course learning goals; while those students who are challenged by course content may take the extra time they need for learning to occur.
- Virtual Pathway: students attend live, regularly scheduled online classes using a website called Elluminate (www.elluminate.com). Not unlike a traditional classroom, students are provided with a regularly occurring class meeting time, teachers provide instruction, students interact with one another, teachers give homework assignments, etc.
- Blended Pathway: combines both the virtual and independent models.
How are students supported by teachers and others?
Please see the diagram located on blah blah webpage for more information. Depending on the age and learning program developed for each student, there is a team of educators and teachers who will support each student:
- SLA (Student Learning Advocate): one per family with WVL students. The SLA is the primary family contact assigned to each family, to ensure that students are progressing academically and also participating in school activities.
- Teacher Fascilitator: the teacher for each independent class
- Virtual Classroom Instructors: teachers who hold regularly scheduled online classes, following the model of a traditional classroom.
- Guidance Counselor: traditional support role
- Special Education Staff: traditional support role
- Parents: parent involvement is one of the factors that has a great impact on the student success rate.
The teachers are the heart of our school, which has propelled Wisconsin Virtual Learning to a reputation of excellence across Wisconsin and the nation.
What companies are our online curriculum providers?
We use a variety of online curriculum providers in order to tailor the educational program to the personalized learning needs of each and every student. In addition, our learning management system gives teachers the ability to customize lessons, assessments, etc., similar to what teachers do in traditional classrooms.
For grades 6-12, Florida Virtual School, Aventa, and Lincoln Interactive will be the primary curriculum used during the 2010-11 school year. As a result, students will be offered curriculum in a very wide variety of subject areas, at several levels of difficulty, including credit recovery. For example, the World Language Curriculum will include a middle school introductory course, 4 full years of Spanish, AP Spanish, Latin, French, German, and Chinese. A full course catalog for the 2009-10 school year will be posted on this site by February of 2009.
Are students online all day?
No, from our K4 program on up to high school, there are variety of offline learning activities. As our students progress through the grade levels they spend progressively less time away from their computers.
Will I receive books?
Yes, depending on the grade-level and curriculum used by the student, books and other offline materials are an integral part of WVL programs. As a rule, there are more materials for students in the elementary grade levels and less for the high school courses.
Will I receive a computer?
Yes, students receive a notebook computer, printer, and - if necessary - a wireless router/access point to provide wireless access through the family's Internet connection. Students/families are responsible for the computer equipment and
must comply with the technology use policy of the Northern Ozaukee School District. For 2010-11, like most virtual schools, insurance on the machines will be required. In addition, the computer may only be used for online learning, virtual classes, and other school uses. The computers are not to be used for private purposes.
What if I don't do my homework?
WVL students have a safety net under them we call our Pyramid of Interventions. Students who do fall behind on their studies will be supported by a large team of WVL educators who will provide the support necessary to get the student back on track. WVL teachers see student success as the only option.
Is it true that WVL has divisions?
Yes, Wisconsin Virtual Learning has two divisions: The elementary division, serving students in K4-grade 5; and the secondary division which serves students in grades 6-12.
Where is the school located?
The administrative offices and support services for WVL are located on the campus of the Northern Ozaukee School District central campus, 401 Highland Drive, Fredonia, WI 53021. Telephone: 866-301-0401
WVL teachers are located throughout Wisconsin in order to provide service to students in their geographical region. New for 2010-11: Student Learning Advocates (SLAs) will work together and have offices located on the NOSD campus.