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A new online education consortium offers area students more pathways to success.
Gordon Cooper Technology Center hosted a series of meetings with area school leaders last year that resulted in formation of the consortium. A total of 17 schools in Pottawatomie, Lincoln, Seminole and Okfuskee counties are partnering with Gordon Cooper Technology Center to expand opportunities for students in their districts.
"The consortium decided to use Odysseyware computerized multimedia curriculum to offer online classes to eligible students anytime and anywhere Internet access is available,” GCTC Superintendent Marty Lewis said.
The online classes offer flexible, individualized instruction in core subjects and many electives plus the software manages student data, he said.
Online classes can be used to help students in a number of ways. Students struggling in regular classes can take online classes outside of regular class time to improve and catch up with their peers. A student who needs to get career training at Gordon Cooper Technology Center but also needs a core class only offered at a specific time at his or her home high school may be able to solve the scheduling conflict by taking the required class online, he said.
A student who misses instructional time because of illness or various other reasons may be able to stay on track for graduation by taking online classes. Online classes can also be used to enhance regular course work by offering students options to take advanced classes.
Some school districts in the consortium may choose to use the Odysseyware curriculum as the basis for a virtual school. A virtual school allows a student to enroll in a public school, while doing schoolwork online at home under supervision of the district. The curriculum can also be used in an alternative school setting.
Schools can use the online curriculum at grade levels ranging from third grade to upper level high school courses.
Certified, highly qualified teachers are crucial to the success of the online consortium. Certified teachers monitor the progress of students taking online classes in the teachers’ areas of expertise. Requiring online students to take quizzes and tests at a school site with a teacher present to supervise ensures accountability.
“Teachers are still a very critical part of the learning process even in an online situation,” Lewis said.
The online consortium consists of: Gordon Cooper Technology Center, Asher Public School, Butner Public School, Bethel Public School, Bowlegs Public School, Dale Public School, Earlsboro Public School, Macomb Public School, McLoud Public Schools, North Rock Creek Public School, Paden Public School, Prague Public Schools, Seminole Public Schools, Strother Public School, Tecumseh Public Schools, Wellston Public Schools and Wewoka Public Schools.
By working together, schools in the consortium are able to share and reduce costs associated with online learning while significantly increasing student access through the volume purchase of software “seat” licenses, Lewis said.
A new online education consortium offers area students more pathways to success.
Gordon Cooper Technology Center hosted a series of meetings with area school leaders last year that resulted in formation of the consortium. A total of 17 schools in Pottawatomie, Lincoln, Seminole and Okfuskee counties are partnering with Gordon Cooper Technology Center to expand opportunities for students in their districts.
"The consortium decided to use Odysseyware computerized multimedia curriculum to offer online classes to eligible students anytime and anywhere Internet access is available,” GCTC Superintendent Marty Lewis said.
The online classes offer flexible, individualized instruction in core subjects and many electives plus the software manages student data, he said.
Online classes can be used to help students in a number of ways. Students struggling in regular classes can take online classes outside of regular class time to improve and catch up with their peers. A student who needs to get career training at Gordon Cooper Technology Center but also needs a core class only offered at a specific time at his or her home high school may be able to solve the scheduling conflict by taking the required class online, he said.
A student who misses instructional time because of illness or various other reasons may be able to stay on track for graduation by taking online classes. Online classes can also be used to enhance regular course work by offering students options to take advanced classes.
Some school districts in the consortium may choose to use the Odysseyware curriculum as the basis for a virtual school. A virtual school allows a student to enroll in a public school, while doing schoolwork online at home under supervision of the district. The curriculum can also be used in an alternative school setting.
Schools can use the online curriculum at grade levels ranging from third grade to upper level high school courses.
Certified, highly qualified teachers are crucial to the success of the online consortium. Certified teachers monitor the progress of students taking online classes in the teachers’ areas of expertise. Requiring online students to take quizzes and tests at a school site with a teacher present to supervise ensures accountability.
“Teachers are still a very critical part of the learning process even in an online situation,” Lewis said.
The online consortium consists of: Gordon Cooper Technology Center, Asher Public School, Butner Public School, Bethel Public School, Bowlegs Public School, Dale Public School, Earlsboro Public School, Macomb Public School, McLoud Public Schools, North Rock Creek Public School, Paden Public School, Prague Public Schools, Seminole Public Schools, Strother Public School, Tecumseh Public Schools, Wellston Public Schools and Wewoka Public Schools.
By working together, schools in the consortium are able to share and reduce costs associated with online learning while significantly increasing student access through the volume purchase of software “seat” licenses, Lewis said.
