April 11, 2024 7:00 am
Expanding or moving core curricula into an online format is a strategic decision that can profoundly impact graduation rates and expand the variety of offerings your district or school provides. When establishing a virtual or extended online course program for essential subjects, it’s important to know what features, content, and supports are necessary for a successful implementation.
While there’s a lot to consider for the unique needs of your school community, there are 10 key factors to be mindful of as you compare options for a virtual program.
Superior digital course content is designed around established curriculum standards. This ensures the content covers necessary learning objectives for the targeted grade level or subject area. While such alignment may seem like a given, the degree to which different providers do this varies. Online course content should be meticulously aligned with curriculum standards, ensuring educators and students have access to relevant and impactful learning materials.
The ability to adjust pace, difficulty, and content based on individual student needs is crucial in required courses. Look for online curriculum options with adaptive features to ensure that every student’s learning experience is personalized, maximizing their potential for success.
Providing timely and constructive feedback helps students understand areas for improvement. Robust assessment tools enable educators to track performance and tailor interventions effectively and should seamlessly integrate with your district’s existing learning management system (LMS) and student information system (SIS).
Comprehensive support and resources for teachers, including teaching guides and data analytics, are vital, but only if educators can implement them. As the market for virtual courses grows more competitive, more providers are offering professional development opportunities to support educators throughout the implementation process.
In today’s digital age, addressing academic dishonesty is more important than ever. A commitment to academic integrity should include embedded tools to help educators maintain a trustworthy learning environment.
Seamless integration with your existing LMS and other educational technology platforms streamlines workflows and lightens teachers’ burdens. Easy integration capabilities facilitate efficient data sharing and analysis and should be a ‘must’.
Look for a provider with an online curriculum backed by research studies, case studies, and user testimonials. A proven track record of improving student outcomes is essential, and the positive impact it can have is immeasurable.
There are more virtual curriculum programs than ever, but finding the one that will empower potential in your school or district needn’t be overwhelming. Choose one that offers comprehensive features, engaging content, and robust support for both educators and students. These essential factors will enhance your educational offerings and support student success.
Kallie Markle lives in Northern California with her family of humans, house plants, and dogs. The humans take up the least amount of space. Before joining the education world, she wrote her way through national parks, concerts, tourism, and brewing.