Synchronous Courses 10-12

This page provides information around Synchronous courses that are offered from grades 10-12

Description

Synchronous courses offer the same program of study as an online course, with the added benefit of weekly meetings with a teacher and working alongside a cohort of your peers on the same topics. Synchronous courses provide overall structure for students, with the expectation that they will work to keep up with the schedule set by the teacher for assignments and tests. The accountability of the weekly meeting is designed to help elaborate on challenging topics or concepts, encourage student interaction, and provide a natural place for students to ask questions and develop deeper understanding. This option is the one that is most similar to a face-to-face classroom experience in an online environment.

Benefits

Synchronous Courses provide regular, required touchpoints where students would meet with their teacher(s) and fellow classmates. Regularly scheduled times set by the instructor early in September allow students to connect with teachers to receive instruction, clarify assignments, and ask questions on a weekly basis. Synchronous Cohorts provide the chance for students to be known and also increase the level of accountability. Teachers may use the weekly meetings to pre-teach lessons, answer common questions, clarify assignments, or discuss complex topics or issues.

How Synchronous Courses Function

Students are held accountable to the course schedule, and synchronous courses will be completed in June. 

Click here to access this year's synchronous cohort schedule.

Student Responsibilities and Expectations

Teacher Responsibilities and Expectations

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Does it cost any more to enroll in a synchronous course compared to an asynchronous course? 
    • No, the cost to the student is the same for a synchronous course as it is for any other online course enrollment.
  2. What if I have to miss a meeting for a dentist appointment or other unforeseen conflict? 
    • This should be communicated to your teacher, and the student will then be able to watch the recorded meeting at a later date. Students should arrange activities such as regular piano lessons or sports practices at a time that does not conflict with scheduled class meetings. 
  3. Can my student take just one synchronized cohort for an online course or do they have to take all across their grade level?
    • Absolutely they can take just one, or multiple synchronous options! Figure out what works best for your child’s learning style, level of independence and degree of desired flexibility?
  4. How does the course schedule work?
    • The meeting times for each synchronous cohort will be posted in SOPHIE. You can see the schedule live here! Your Grad Advisor can also let you know when specific classes are meeting. In addition, there will not be overlap between class time for the different subjects across the same grade level, this allows students to take all synchronous offerings if they so choose.
  5. How long are the synchronous courses?
    • Grades 10-12: 1 hour blocks, once a week. 
    • Note: Depending on the topics and assignments some meetings may be longer or shorter than scheduled. 
  6. What happens if my student falls behind?
    • Just like in any classroom environment, things happen.  Students are encouraged to keep attending the class and to work with their teacher to catch up. Teachers are prepared to support students when things don’t go as planned. 
  7. Are teachers available outside of the posted class times?  
    • Absolutely.  Teachers will have availability times posted in their course.  
  8. Are students required to have cameras and audio on?  
    • Teacher cameras will be on to facilitate relationship building with students. While we encourage students to turn their cameras on we recognize not all students or families may be comfortable on camera and as such do not require it for students. 
  9. Are the courses semester or linear pacing?
    • Courses are held over the school year in a linear fashion. Classes start in the 3rd or 4th week of September and are held until the end of May (or earlier if material is completed sooner). Final dates for work submissions is at the end of term 2.
  10. Is there an end date to classes?
    • Yes, classes will wrap up and students will be given final grades in June.
  11. Do I have to attend the live meetings?
    • Yes! This is the main part of a synchronous class. Of course, there are absences that you can’t avoid, like sickness or appointments - but your teacher will miss you!

Please note all synchronous courses will be given a final grade during the June reporting period. 


Revision #24
Created 10 March 2020 18:26:07 by Caitlin Village
Updated 7 March 2024 23:55:36 by Trish Vandop