November 2005

Using Apex Learning ClassTools to Support Student Learning

North Kitsap PAL, George Ramsey, Teacher/Advisor and Juanita-Futures High School, Leanne Dunlap, Dean of Students

Both North Kitsap PAL (Parent Assisted Learning)* and Juanita-Futures High School* are finding creative ways of using Apex Learning ClassTools to support student learning.

ClassTools can support independent learners

George Ramsey is a teacher/advisor at PAL, working with high school students. Some of his students attend traditional high school in the morning and earn three credits independently through PAL. And some are homeschooled students who take all of their credits through PAL.

One of the ways students can now earn credits is via Apex Learning ClassTools through the Digital Learning Commons (DLC). Some students earn all of their credits for a course with ClassTools and others access materials as a supplement to the PAL curriculum.

"With biology, for example, we have our own labs and our own assignments, but a lot of the material is very well explained in ClassTools, so we send students there: 'Go look at this lesson on mitosis and check out these animations and go through the slides and take the exam' and so forth," Ramsey explains. "I like the geometry ClassTool a lot because it has visual materials that the kids can't get out of a book. It really amplifies and supports their coursework."

Ramsey also likes that ClassTools gives students the choice of taking tests online or printing them out. "And they provide me with the answer sheets so that I can grade them. I'm not an expert in Algebra II, but I can still help students and trust that the information I have is solid."

Ramsey reports that students like ClassTools "because they're independent learners and sitting at home with a book trying to figure stuff out on their own is not ideal, especially for advanced math, etcetera. ClassTools is just better than a textbook. More explanation and examples are given, it's more supportive as a curriculum, and it's there 24/7."

ClassTools can help students prep for an AP exam

Juanita-Futures uses Apex Learning ClassTools in a variety of ways. Some teachers supplement their curriculum with ClassTools. The World History Class is using a good portion of the materials because ClassTools uses the same textbook. New teachers tend to access a lot of the materials since they are teaching the subject for the first time. And some students use ClassTools to make up credits they need to graduate.

But Juanita-Futures is also using AP ClassTools in lieu of online Advanced Placement classes. Leanne Dunlap, Dean of Students and DLC Registrar at Juanita-Futures, explains: "This year we can fund twelve spaces, so some kids will have to pay for courses themselves. But one way we are getting around this is with ClassTools."

Students who want to take an AP class that isn't offered at school, but can't afford to take it online, can use AP ClassTools to prepare for the AP exam. Dunlap explains: "A ClassTool is the whole class minus the online teacher and discussion-board environment."

For AP ClassTools, the online teacher is replaced with a teacher at Juanita-Futures, who agrees to shadow the student, which includes monitoring and grading assignments and exams.

Whether your students are independent learners or would benefit from supplemental materials to master a subject, consider Apex Learning ClassTools. This resource comes with your membership. To learn more, visit the Apex Learning ClassTools web page.

* PAL is an alternative program that supports independent study for elementary through high school students in the North Kitsap School District. Juanita is a high school in the Lake Washington School District, and Futures is a choice high school located on the Juanita campus.

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