Mrs. Gardner's Course Update
Summer 2015 - 10th Lit/Comp - June 7th
What Is A Course Update?
Remember to:
- check your GaVS email daily
- check your course schedule daily
- check the News announcements daily
- join in weekly Adobe Connect sessions
Notes About Your Schedule
How much time should I plan to spend on my course?
You are expected to login and participate in your online course on a DAILY basis.
Summer Semester
Students completing the 6 week course should plan to spend:
10th Lit/Comp B
At least three to five hours per weekday (15 to 25 hours per week) for a half unit (A or B) course.
10th Lit/Comp AB
At least six to eight hours per weekday (30 to 40 hours per week) for a 1 unit (AB or block) course.
Time required to complete work increases if the student enrolls in a 5 week course.
In Summer, school work is due DAILY.
On that note, I do NOT offer extra credit.
I will provide ONE opportunity for ALL students to replace a grade, but other than that, NO extra credit will be offered.
** Please be sure your work is submitted on time. If you do not submit on time, please submit within the late work policy. **
Parents Can View Grades ~ Follow These Directions
The Parent Account gives you information about your child’s grades and progress in their course. If your child’s grade drops below a 75, you will receive an automated phone call. If your child’s grade drops below a 70, you will receive a phone call from me.
If you already have a parent account please do NOT create a new one.
1) Please check to see that your parent account is linked to your student’s account.
2) For more information click Help on the Log in page or click the following link: Parent Account Information Link
If you are uncertain about whether you have a parent account or not,
1) Log in to GAVS at www.gavirtualschool.org and at the Log In page type in your username and password.
2) For more information click Help at the top of the Log In page or click the following link: Parent Info from Helpdesk
*Information for parents who have NEVER created a parent account.
1) Login to our website www.gavirtualschool.org
2) Click the “Log In To GAVS” icon
3) Click “Create An Account” from the navigation bar.
4) You will need to know your child’s GTID and date of birth.
5) Please follow the directions on the screen.
6) Be sure you have linked your parent account to your student’s account.
7) For more information simply click HELP at the top of the Log In page or click the following link: Parent Information Link
Accepted File Types
Checking Dropbox Receipts
Use the Help Desk
How do I participate in discussions?
How do I take quizzes or tests using the quizzing tool?
How do I view feedback on quizzes and tests?
Naming & Saving Your Files
Submitting Work Correctly
https://docs.google.com/a/gavirtualschool.org/file/d/0B4brRxBffOXAZ3lRTjN3R2o2dmM/edit
A Note About Using MLA Format in English Courses
* ALL submitted documents should have an MLA header (Name, Instructor, Course, Date)
* All work quoted, paraphrased, or summarized from other sources should use an in-text citation.
* A sample first page of an MLA style paper/assignment can be seen below.
MLA Tutorial Website: http://mlahelp.weebly.com/
Be sure to create an email signature.
School Break Policy
Students should stay on the GaVS schedule that they choose upon entering their course. Even if the local school breaks do not coincide with the GaVS break, students must meet the assignment due dates. Students should communicate their school breaks with their teacher as soon as possible and if necessary discuss with their instructor how to get ahead.
Symbaloo
~ Unit Overview Videos: These are videos of me walking through EACH unit in the course, while I explain assignments, expectations, and assessments.
~ Course Resource Videos: These videos contain information on how to read a schedule, how to navigate your course, and how to use proper email etiquette.
~ MLA Help: These links describe how to use MLA format, as well as how to format items correctly.
~ Online Navigation Videos: These videos include how-to information about how to take a screenshot, enlarge text, use Natural Reader, view mixed content in a browser, and use a camera scanner.
* Please review this Symbaloo page before you begin our course. Complete the form on that page to earn an extra point on your first quiz.
Synchronous Sessions in Adobe Connect
We believe synchronous learning is important because it provides students the full benefits of our highly qualified instructors. The synchronous interaction provides immediate instructor and student feedback, reduces the feeling of isolation, fosters a sense of community with the learners, and offers a forum for student collaboration. By incorporating live and interactive learning opportunities in the online environment, teachers are leveraging synchronous learning to enhance learning and promote student engagement.
GaVS courses offer opportunities for students to meet online at the same time with the teacher of the course. These synchronous sessions are provided using web-based conferencing tool Adobe Connect.
Synchronous online meetings allow you and your classmates to meet online with your instructor for question and answer sessions, further instruction, or to practice speaking if you take a world language class.
Adobe Connect can also be used to provide online meetings. You may check your computer for required software needed by Adobe Connect at the following website:
http://na3cps.adobeconnect.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm or by using the Adobe Connect Checklist: https://students.ga.desire2learn.com/d2l/lor/viewer/view.d2l?ou=1798&loIdentId=4189.
These sessions are OPTIONAL. If we have a lesson, a recording will be provided.
We will meet on Mondays & Thursdays @ 8PM
http://gavirtualschool.adobeconnect.com/gardner/Would You Like a Head Start on the Reading?
10th AB
"Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket"
"The Bet"
Much Ado About Nothing by No Fear Shakespeare
Shmoop Literature Guides: This site has helpful study guides for most of the reading selections listed above. Students can use Shmoop to better understand the reading selections. Students will be responsible for the actual text, but Shmoop can help with some explanations.
10th B
Much Ado About Nothing by No Fear Shakespeare
Shmoop Literature Guides: This site has helpful study guides for most of the reading selections listed above. Students can use Shmoop to better understand the reading selections. Students will be responsible for the actual text, but Shmoop can help with some explanations.
Contact Me: Kelly Gardner
Email: kelly.gardner@gavirtualschool.org
Phone: 706-871-4287
Twitter: @kgardnerenglish
Emergency Situations
Keep my phone number & email address in a place that is easy to reach. If you have a special circumstance, please let me know. Here are some situations that might merit an immediate contact:
* Medical situation (hospitalization, extreme sickness, injury): Contact me BEFORE a due date if you have been too sick to complete work. Please note that a note from the doctor may be required to authorize any extensions for sickness.
* Technology emergency: Please notify me BEFORE a due date if you experience a technology issue. If you lose power, get kicked out of a test, have a computer crash, or other extreme situation, please let me know immediately. We understand that these things happen, but also expect students to have a back-up plan for technology issues. Plan to use a computer at school, the library, a friend or family member's computer, etc.
* General Assignment/Course Questions: These are best answered by email, but feel free to call me as well.