Online learning, travel opportunities showcased in Onsted | The Daily Telegram

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"ONSTED — For some, learning happens beyond the classroom walls." according to Dan Cherry, Daily Telegram Staff Writer.

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Three members of Onsted Community Schools high school staff spent an hour at Monday’s board of education meeting updating the board about educational initiatives for those who learn best in nontraditional settings, including online and onsite.

Online learning instructor Dan Terryberry said several dozen students are on monitored self-scheduled or at-home online agreements. The Onsted Virtual Learning program assists those with special circumstances, need credit recovery, have social anxiety or in-class limitations.

Terryberry said there are currently 64 students between the online course program or a seat-time waiver agreement, where students work around work schedules or apprenticeships. The agreement between students, parents and the school allow the student to be flexible with their schedule, but the student must stay on track and a mentor log is submitted to the state to monitor progress.

Terryberry said students also are taking 14 Advanced Placement courses not available in the classroom setting. Additionally, 61 students are taking credit-recovery classes to catch up where they have fallen behind.

Terryberry said the options help the students in more comfortable or convenient environments that maximize learning, but still require structured education.

‘These students still want to graduate from Onsted and we feel this is a great thing we’ve started,” he said. “It’s more than clicking through a few online pages. We want the best for our students and the best for our school.”

Interim Superintendent Brad Hamilton said online teaching and learning, despite being somewhat nontraditional, is “not a scary thing.” 

“Online learning is another arm of personalized education,” he said.

Several high school students will have the chance to watch, in-person, President-elect Donald Trump inauguration on Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C.

Social sciences teacher Brian Draper said as of Monday, eight high school students financially committed to a Project Close-Up travel program to attend the presidential inauguration.
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Source: The Daily Telegram