SJSD Virtual Learning for 2020 (7-22-20)

SJSD Virtual Learning for 2020 (7-22-20)

Less than two weeks from now -- students in st.

Joseph public schools must enroll for fall.

They will need to choose 100 percent online --- or in-person... and you can't have both... kq2's madeline mcclain joins us in studio with more on the virtual option to help you decide.

The deadline for st joseph public school students to enroll is july 31st in either the virtual academy or in-person classes.

And after the first week - when the semester is fully underway -- students won't be ale to switch to the other option until the end of the semester.

With such a difficult decision looming -- here's an in-depth look at the onling option.

Students in st.

Joseph public schools have a choice this fall.traditional face-to-face classroom learning 100-percent virtual platform.

Marlie williams: "when we were reflecting on the experience that our students were having back in march, april and may, we knew that there were things that we could do better."

School officials say it may have been born out of necessity -- but it's more than just a back-up plan.

Heather wiedmer: we've put a lot of sweat and tears into this so we are hoping that families know that we have their best interest at the forefront here and we are going to produce the best educational product that we can.the virtual academy is an actual choice for all students in kindergarten through 12-th grade -- marlie williams: we have, i would say, 75 to 80 fantastic teachers who are what i would consider visionaries.

Designed by st.

Joseph teachers for st.

Joseph students.marlie williams: they have the passion, the vision, the energy for what is the next for education and general but really how can we better serve our students here in st.

Joseph and that's what has gone into all of this work."

The teachers who helped built it say the online classes are on-par with what you would get in a classroom.melissa schultz: their kids will progress as if they are in the same time as the classroom and they can do it in the safety of their own home if they are concerned."'they've tried to address all of the remote learning problems that popped up in the spring when schools closed down.this time around - - things are streamlined.

Melissa schultz:we wanted to do what was best for everybody, not just on each individual teacher.parent's have to learn one platform not 12.all online courses for all grades are run through canvas.

And parents can actually access the lessons too.melissa schultz: sometimes they had packets that they weren't exactly sure how to explain it but this time they will get to see a real, live teacher explaining it to their kids so they'll get to learn it as well."pre-recorded lessons are supported by online collaborative projects with students.heather wiedmer: we've spent a lot of time in front of the cameras delivering those lessons and getting those put into the canvas platform so that students will have access to a real, live teacher but at home."the length of lessons specific to grade levels.and screen time limited for all students.marlie williams:we want them moving away from a computer screen and being creative and active and thinking so there may be practice things outside of the computer that are included in the assignment so that its not all just sitting and looking at a computer and doing lessons online all day.to deal with the haves - and have nots -- the district has bought a device for each and every student with federal funds and hotspots for those who need it.marlie williams: this is something that levels the planning field so that if our families have made the based education is the best for their students coming into the fall.

They have access to that quality online education that we've built."course creators say they incorporated realistic goals and starting places for what was learned and not learned...college credit courses for high schoolers who choose online.

And school officials say that while this won't solve every problem with remote learning... has been an intense and massive project and i think it's is worthwhile.and a real choice for joseph.

Williams says that this will not be the right everyone.

There are benefits of face-that you can't replace or she says for those in the middle -- head over to the virtual academy information page for additional resources that can help you make decision.

Reporting in studio, madeline mcclain kq2