How to Succeed in Your GaVS Course!
Important Tips and Advice!
Welcome!
Welcome to Georgia Virtual School's Spring Semester 2024. Please read the following newsletter as it contains very important information for beginning your GaVS course.
*Tip for success: create a folder on your computer desktop labeled "GaVS-ClassName-Spring-2024."
Save all important information there such as photos, screenshots and assignments.
Click on any image in this newsletter and save it for future reference.
In this newsletter, you will see how you can take a screenshot if you are unsure about that as well.
** I know this is a lot of information, but please scroll all the way to the bottom to have all the information you need for this course.
#1 Best Way to Succeed! Attend an Open House!
Whether you are new to the online format and/or GaVS or you are a "veteran" and GaVS alum, the Open House for the current term is the BEST way to learn about new or revised policies, new details and important dates and deadlines!
Parents are encouraged to attend with their student(s) to learn more too!
The dates for the Open Houses this term are located on your course home page in Canvas!
These meetings are VERY beneficial for students and parents!
Online Courses in General
You are wise and have decided to enroll in one (or maybe this is not your first online course rodeo and you returned because you know the "perks" of online learning!)
Please read ahead for tips and reminders about how to succeed in this an other online courses!
More Information...
There are three very important items you will need to complete as soon as you are able to access your course:
1.Review all information on the course homepage.
2. Work through the Getting Started module.
3. Complete the Acknowledgement Form Quiz (AFQ) once you have reviewed the Getting Started Module.
All three of the above items must be completed during the orientation period (the time between when you are first able to access your course and when your Welcome Live Learning Session Quiz is due).
On the Acknowledgement Form Quiz (AFQ) you will be asked to select when you plan to begin your coursework.
Remember that the last day of the semester is the same for every student, and you have the same number of assignments to complete regardless of when you begin; so it’s best to start as early as possible.
The course start date you choose in the AFQ will be entered as the new due date for the Welcome Live Learning Session Quiz. The GAVS late work policy will be in effect as of the course start date you choose.
4. Late work is accepted. You will find more information about the GAVS late work policy by clicking here.
5. Parents can review their child’s progress through Parent Resources. Information about Parent Resources can be found by clicking here and then clicking on Guardian Account Tutorial.
6. Please review the Georgia Virtual School statement on plagiarism by clicking here.
Wait. What? What About the Acknowledgement Form Quiz!
Once your pace plan has been released, you will see your due dates on the modules page, syllabus page and in your canvas calendar.
It is important that you know when all of your assignments are due.
I recommend writing the due dates next to the assignment on your student checklist.
Where Do I Start?
Communicate with Your Instructor!
Call or Text Your Teacher!
Email me!
Ask Questions!
Live Learning Sessions 2.0!
You must complete this before doing the Welcome Session quiz.
There is a task in the Welcome Session recording that you must complete along with the quiz in order to get credit - the Microsoft form questionnaire.
You will find the link to the recording in multiple places in the course...bulletin board, on the live learning sessions page, and in the announcements.
The welcome session quiz will unlock after you have completed the getting started module.
But How Do I Find the Live Learning Sessions?
Download and Print Your Course Assignments List!
Accommodations: Sooner Rather Than Later!
Academic Integrity...from the GaVS Student Handbook!
"Academic integrity is a fundamental component of teaching and learning. Maintaining high standards of academic integrity ensures the sustainability of the educational process. Therefore, students are expected to commit to and be responsible for demonstrating the five fundamental components, even in the face of adversity:
1· Honesty 2· Trust 3· Fairness 4· Respect 5· Responsibility
Unless your teacher or the specific assessment directions inform you of exceptions, all work must be original and entirely the student's own work without any outside help. While taking assessments or completing written assignments, students will not confer, either in person or through electronic communication, with other students, parents, family members, facilitators, tutors or acquaintances. While taking assessments or completing written assignments, students may not use any textbooks, references, or other materials/outside sources (printed or electronic) unless your teacher or the specific assessment directions inform you of exceptions. Assignments that require documentation and/or references must adhere to guidelines presented by the teacher. When in doubt, clarify with your teacher before beginning an assignment or submitting it.
Students are expected to complete and save their work for GaVS classes in a digitally secure environment that is password protected. GaVS provides a secure working area and storage in O365. Failure to secure and protect files/documents that become shared with other students will be considered an honor violation."
TIPS for Success!
2. Plan to log in at least 5 days a week (It doesn't matter if it's on the weekends, during the week, etc. That's the "flexibility" part that is a perk in online courses!)
3. Self-discipline is necessary to succeed in an online course. You need to set aside a time to work uninterrupted because the course is not a "walk in the park." It's definitely "do-able," but it requires effort if you plan to make an 'A!'
4. Access and Disability Services: Information about these services is included in the "Start Here" materials in the content of the course.
5. Discussions: A lot of learning takes place in our conversations. Please take time and post thoughtful, informative original and response posts. You are welcome to disagree with fellow students if you don't believe the fellow student is correct; but please support your posts with evidence and analysis to explain your perspective. In fact that keeps our conversations lively and interesting. BUT everyone has to be respectful in their posts regardless of agreement or not!
7. Get ready, get set, get started in Module 1! Do it now--don't wait!
There is a lot of work to do in a short time.
8. Quizzes & Tests! MAKE SURE you have time to complete the entire quiz or test in one sitting. Once you begin the quiz or test, don't stop!
The timer begins when you begin and it continues to run til it runs out.
No breaks, no snacks! Make sure you have a stable Internet connection and a fully charged computer! (It's best to avoid taking quizzes or tests on phones or tablets!)
9. Read all the pages in your modules in sequential order. Complete the pages/read the content in the module in sequential order. The course modules are laid out in order with the assignments in a logical progression. Skipping around is counterproductive.
10. Ask questions as they arise! I am here to help!
Words of Caution!
To be successful in this course, you must:
1. commit to logging in at least 5 days a week to read, work, submit assignments, etc.
2. pay attention to your course calendar in the left sidebar. Check the calendar each time you log in to be sure you haven't missed any assignments.
3. let me know if you are ill and can't submit work. (I can apply for a brief extension IF you have a doctor's note.) (Click on the link to more information about the makeup policy.)
4. remember: even if you don't log in to Canvas, the course goes on without you. Every day that you miss, your situation just becomes more serious. Ignoring the course will not be helpful.
A Word About Pace Plans and the Late Work Policy!
Pay CLOSE attention to the assignments! (Everyone has different due dates!)
Late Work Penalty!
There is a 10% points deduction for every day that your work is late (including weekends!)
After 10 days, the zero will stand!
The late work policy is strictly enforced.
Students NEED to check their calendars and to-do lists daily to make sure they are caught up.
IN FACT, students should WORK ahead a little bit to avoid problems if your computer crashes, your Internet goes out, you want to go to a Braves game at the last minute, you get an invitation to go to the beach, etc.
Remember: technical issues are NOT an acceptable excuse for missing assignments and students will not be granted extensions for technical problems!
How to Check Your Grades & Feedback in Canvas!
How Do I Know Which Assignments to Complete?
You'll check your course calendar (the beautiful left purple arrow) and the "to-do" list (the right beautiful purple arrow.)
Your calendar in the left side bar will have all of your assignments by week/month and the right "to-do" list will be assignments coming due in the next few days.
(Please note: Your calendar will have all assignments from all courses in the same view; if you are taking more than one course at GaVS, it will be more obvious.)
Important Information About Acceptable File Types
Please note that NO Google files or links are accepted. There is a video below to show you how to download Google files in the correct file types.
(See the images below for more specifics.)
Read your syllabus! There are NO resubmissions for the wrong file type, etc.
Please familiarize yourself with the graphics below to avoid issues!
Check out the picture above!
The arrow is to the Help icon and it contains links to the:
1. Student Success Site (You can also access the Student Success Site through the Class Resources link in the center of your course home page.)
2. You can also find the link to "Ask Your Instructor a Question" which will allow you to message your instructor a question.
3. GaVS Help Desk: Submit a help desk ticket there! The IT staff will be in touch with you within 24 hours if not sooner!
The video below shows you how to download a Google doc into an acceptable file format!
Video: How to View Your Grades & Submit Assignments in Canvas!
Video: How to Save Sources in a Word Document!
Access to Important Apps!
You can download these programs onto up to 5 computers and your mobile device.
For help downloading O365, check the "Class Resources" page for the link to the Student Success Site!
Below are two screen shots to show you how to access the online programs through your GaVS email account!
Microsoft Office Suite!
You can download the program onto up to 5 devices and 1 phone for free.
You have 1TB of storage to save your work.
Please check out the image below for more details.
Discussion Tip!
Write your discussion posts in a Word file. Store them all in one place. Start a file at the beginning of the term titled "GaVS Course ABC Discussion Posts."
Then copy/paste the posts in the forums in Canvas.
Last tips...
Tips to help you succeed this term/school year include...
2. Work ahead! You never know when a fun activity or invitation (or another task) will come your way!
You CAN balance it all!
Just work ahead a little bit to avoid falling behind!
3. If you are sick or can't log in one day, make sure you communicate with your teacher! A quick email will help your teacher help you!