# Flex Academy: Resources for Families # HCOS & Flex AI Literacy Model At HCOS and Flex, we know that artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming a part of life. We want to help our students learn how to use AI wisely without losing the skills that make them thoughtful and creative. Our goal is for students to become wise, discerning, and creative learners, rooted in God’s love, who can use AI for good in school and in life. ### Why We Teach AI - We want students to be **AI-equipped, not AI-dependent**. AI can help with learning, but it should never replace critical thinking or personal responsibility. - We aim to teach students to **see the line** between when AI is helpful and when it gets in the way of authentic learning and growth. ### What Students Learn We teach about AI in ways that match appropriate student development: - **Middle School:** Students learn what AI is, how it shows up in daily life (e.g., ads, images, online searches), and why safety and honesty matter. - **High School:** Students go deeper with AI by using it for projects, problem-solving, and research. They practice checking facts, thinking critically, and exploring how AI affects society, all while keeping a Christian perspective. ### Core Focus Areas Students practice: - **Privacy & Fairness:** Keeping information safe and watching for bias in AI. - **Critical Thinking:** Asking questions and checking if AI answers are accurate. - **Creativity:** Using AI to support ideas, while still using their own imagination. - **Human Connection:** Remembering that AI is a tool, not a replacement for people. - **Integrity:** Using AI responsibly, within clear boundaries. ### How AI is Used in Courses Teachers set clear rules for using AI in Grades 7–12. There are three levels: 1. **Limited Use:** Students should not use generative AI without the teacher’s permission, except in special cases. 2. **Partial Use:** Permits some use with guidance and/or with citations and supplemental material. 3. **Full Use**: Focuses on allowing and encouraging generative AI use to demonstrate to students both limitations and possibilities.

No matter the level, students must always do their own work and cite AI correctly when used.

# Tips for Middle and High School Educational Success Navigating regular in-person, online and hybrid courses together can be challenging for students. Here are a few tips to help your child find success in their courses at Flex Academy. ##### No one ever sets out to fail! We know students want to succeed with their in-person, online and hybrid courses. Students **will** hit roadblocks and technical difficulties. It is important to keep a positive mindset about these things, and for students or families to reach out for help from their Education Assistants, Learning Coaches, Teachers, Tech support or School Administrators. We are here to help! ##### 1. Role of Teachers We are here to provide great courses and a positive learning experience with a teacher ready to support your student and give feedback to their work. Flex teachers care about each student. If your student is struggling, please get in touch with the teacher involved. ##### 2. Role of Students Students are responsible for showing up consistently throughout the school year. That means being active in their course and being “present” with their teacher through assignment responses, Zoom, email and Learning Labs. ##### 3. Role of Parents Parents are an essential part of the learning process. We value when families are involved throughout the school year. Your student needs your encouragement and interest. Plan to sit down together at the computer **every week** to see where your child is at in their courses. Just asking, “Are you done?’ is not enough. It’s easy for a student to say “Yes, Mom” when they are not done at all. It happens all the time.

You are your student’s advocate, so don't be afraid to ask questions of your student or their teacher.

##### 4. Quality Communication - Most teachers prefer Email or Zoom for all communication. - Use good manners. Please start all communication with a polite greeting. - Teachers are committed to answering within 48 hours. Please respect the fact that they may be unable to answer more immediately than that at times. - Parents are encouraged to respond to grading comments, and report card comments, and communicate with the teacher if the student is experiencing problems. The teacher only knows what you tell them. - If you find you or your child is becoming overwhelmed by workload or struggling due to a learning need, remember every course can be adapted to suit your child’s learning needs – a conversation is all it takes to develop a plan for your student. - Students are encouraged to speak with their teacher about assignments. In hybrid and online courses, this becomes important as sometimes a student may become stuck and not able to move forward in their course due to an ungraded assignment that the teacher may not even know is sitting there. A polite request is always welcome and shows initiative. Flex Academy cares about your family's online experience. If you are thrilled with your experience, We would love to hear from you. Likewise, if you feel you are not being well served, please get in touch with [Bri Dyck](mailto:bri.dyck@flex.academy), Director of Flex Academy. # Violent Video Games and Gaming Addictions {{@8459}} # Skills for Online Success ## ADST: Skills for Online Success 1 ### Course Overview All Flex Academy Students in Grades 6-9 will take this ADST Module as a Hybrid class. Skills for Online Success introduces students to many tools they will need to use to succeed in their Hybrid and online courses. Topics covered include Brightspace, Zoom, email, file management, screenshots, screen recording, online communication guidelines, scanning and digitizing documents, presentation programs, recording video presentations, and more. This module culminates in a final presentation. ### Time Commitment This module satisfies ⅓ of the ADST requirements for grades 6-9 students. There are 17 lessons which take between 15-45 minutes. Many lessons are short and practical, introducing skills students will practice and further develop in their future studies. Most of the lessons end with review questions or a short assignment. The final project may take several hours to complete. This module can be taken at any point in grades 5-9, which is why you will see it offered at each grade level, but please note it is the same module offered at each grade, so it only needs to be taken once. ### Tools required - Computer with webcam and microphone - Digital Camera - Scanner or smartphone for uploading content. ### Major Units and Topics Email, Brightspace, Zoom, File Management, Screenshots, Screen Capturing, Digitizing Your Work, Cameras & Scanners, Recording Yourself, and Digital Presentations.