August 2007

Online Learning Gives Students More Options for Success

Lake Quinault High School, Angie Gage, Online Ed Mentor/Registrar

"The DLC has given us the ability to offer a wider curriculum, which is especially helpful in broadening opportunities for our kids," says Angie Gage, Lake Quinault High School's Online Ed Mentor/Registrar.

"We don't have the teaching staff to cover every area, and a lot of our kids are looking for electives and there are great electives available online," Gage explains. Students are taking everything from art to criminal law to AP English.

Online courses mean more choices

"I know online courses are here to stay...They offer a small district like ours a wider variety of choices to really encourage the kids and make it about learning and not just putting in your time so you can go to college to do what you really want to do."

Gage explains that although teachers would love to be able to offer more options, such as AP classes, they just don't have the extra time. Since some colleges require high school students to take AP classes, online courses are a good solution for a small school district, and, as Gage points out, a wonderful way for students to get a sense of what college will be like.

Registration system streamlines administration

Prior to joining the DLC, Gage says that she and the principal had to do their own administration of online courses. "It was a bit of a nightmare. It required a lot of work on our part. When the DLC became an option, it streamlined our whole process."

The DLC's online registration system means that Gage only has to deal with one point of entry rather than having to access each provider's system. She can also check in on students' grades through the same system. "My record keeping, thanks to the DLC, is very simple."

Gage also provides the principal and parents with weekly progress reports for each student taking an online course.

Students gain valuable organizational skills

"Half of the battle with online classes is learning how to organize yourself," Gage says. "It's a really wonderful skill. Every kid should take an online class just to learn how to do that."

If a student starts to fall behind in an online class, he or she has to attend Lake Quinault's Saturday School. Students are given two weeks to bring their grades back up. Gage is happy to report that they don't see many failures in the online program.

"If we didn't have the DLC, our program wouldn't be as successful as it is. Getting kids registered and started on time is so crucial to success. And this is so easily accomplished now with the DLC."

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