Florida Virtual School

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Florida Virtual School

• where every student has a front row seat

Bruce Friend Chief Academic Officer
http//www.flvs.net
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The e-learning Promise

• In our current system,
• time is the constant and achievement the
  variable.
• Achievement should be the constant
• and time the variable.

We have it backwards.
In Learning a Living A SCANS Report.
Secretarys Commission on Achieving Necessary
Skills. Washington, D.C. U.S. Department of
Labor, 1992.
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Assumptions, Trends, Observations of Online
Education

• "Computers in the future may weigh no more than
  1.5 tons." -Popular Mechanics, 1949
• "I think there is a world market for maybe five
  computers." --Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM,
  1943
• "Everything that can be invented has been
  invented." --Charles H. Duell, Commissioner,
  U.S. Office of Patents, 1899.
• "640K ought to be enough for anybody." -- Bill
  Gates, 1981

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Assumptions, Trends, Observations of Online
Education

• Online learning opportunities will continue to
  increase. Parents/students demand choice, school
  reform, meeting the needs of students.
• Will online replace traditional teaching /
  teachers?
• Will teachers earn certification in online
  instruction? Will online instruction become a
  part of teacher training?
• Will online solve school overcrowding issues?
• Does online learning limit student-teacher
  communication?

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Top Ten Technology Breakthroughs for Schools

• Wireless Networking
• Handheld Devices
• Digital Video
• ASPs
• Virtual Schooling
• For the first time since the adoption of
  schooling as we know it, students and parent have
  real choices
• The notion of what it means to be a literate
  person will also be impacted by the virtual
  schooling revolution.
• Technology and Learning
• November, 2001

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Why Online?

• Flexible schedule
• Enhanced course selection
• Critical graduation credit
• Authentic instruction for homeschool student
• Accommodates alternative learning styles
• Grade forgiveness
• Additional credits

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What is FLVS?

• First state funded virtual high school
• An innovative plan to increase opportunities for
• Homeschool students
• Minority students
• Rural schools
• Low-performing schools

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FLVS History

• FLVS created out of a partnership between
  two districts with help from the FL. Dept. of
  Education
• FLVS began having a state-wide presence
• USDLA Award for Excellence in Distance Learning
  Most Outstanding Achievement by an Individual
• Greatly expanded course offerings and
  state-wide staff. Received CADE award
• Earned SACS CITA Accreditation. Established
  a national and international presence USDLA
  Award for Excellence in Distance Learning
• 2002 Developing middle school and adult education
  (GED) courses

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What makes us unique...
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Enrollment History
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If you build it, will they come..

• Summer 2002 Registration Opportunity
• 10,000 registrations in one week

Fall 2002 Registration 8,000 registrations in
one day
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Student Success is a shared responsibility
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The Best Thing About FLVS
I am enjoying this class a great deal. It is
filled with lots of information. The thing I like
about FLVS is the encouraging teachers. They are
great and it is easy to work with them and they
seem to really want to help me.
--Student
Florida Virtual School has been and continues
to be a most rewarding experience for my wife and
I as parents. I am very pleased with your
instructional staff. I actually have found myself
MORE involved with my son Stephen than when he
was in traditional public school. - Parent
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Future Audiences

• Juvenile Justice
• Other states
• Other countries
• Adult education
• GED
• Professional development
• Professional services

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FLVS Critical Success Factors

• Teamwork
• Communication
• Course Design
• Support from the stakeholders
• Identifying, reaching, and focusing in on your
  audience

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Florida Virtual School

• where every student has a front row seat

Bruce Friend Chief Academic Officer
http//www.flvs.net