ODYSSEYWAREOnline LearningDublin Unified School District

Bryce Custodio

Director of Student Services

Overview of Online Options Current Board Policy and DUSD practice. Online programs outside of the district are

completely independent of us. We have no control or say in curriculum. Grades are sent to us.

Sample districts we looked at and training for online programs utilizes independent study guidelines.

Odysseyware components Courses/Curriculum grades 3-12 24/7 access Placement tests and diagnostics Full course mode or Credit-recovery modes

available. Customization of courses Real-time curriculum updates

Odysseyware Components Automatic grading of 85% of the work Data management and reporting tools Message Center Teacher and Student settings to create

ease Text translation into 8 different languages Text to Speech; students can have

passages read to them.

Odysseyware Components Designed to work with third-party assistive

technologies for special needs students. Technical support by phone, email or live

chat. Online tutorials for staff and students

PILOT REVIEW 4 ELL teachers; 4 QUEST/DHS teachers;

SED teacher at DHS; 1 RSP teacher; 3 administrators; 1 counselor.

Training of all staff involved in the pilot. Teachers involved in the pilot were

encouraged to bring others on board. Four meetings to review progress and

discuss findings.

Pilot Review (cont.) Communicated with all department heads and

invited many of them to review the program. Set up passwords for approximately 45 staff

members to review the program. Held discussions with DHS Curriculum Council; all

principals and assistant principals; special ed administrators; and cabinet.

Student Cases 2 ELL elementary students attempted some

remediation work. Result: Found that students needed trained adult supervision when using this program.

2 Long-distance students on an independent study contract for 3 months. One student did well (older), the second student only completed 1/3rd of the work(middle school).

Student Cases (cont.) Full group instruction(6 students). High School ELL students. 2 successfully

completed courses and 2 did not. QUEST students(7 students): Course subjects

other than math did well. Math was difficult and students were not successful. 4 students completed courses. Electives were very successful.

One GED prep student; passed and graduated.

Findings Teachers felt that the curriculum is very

challenging. Students must be motivated to do online instruction.

Teachers themselves had success with their students when they supported and understood the program. Training is important.

Younger students must have an adult to work along side them.

Students need support when doing these courses.

Student Feedback Students felt more successful when they

maintained a notebook along the way. Students like the help links such as the glossary

for word definitions. Students felt if they did well on the quizzes, they

would do well on the final exams. No tricks. Alg. 2 really required a strong memory for Alg. 1

skills. Review was necessary.

Student feedback (cont.) Students felt that the amount of work was

equivalent to what they have in a regular class.

Maneuvering the online program was a new experience and took time for some.

Some concern that math required more help and support.

Proposal Committee members met 4 times throughout the

semester to review current Board Policy and discuss how this program could help increase student access. Significant support for this.

Maintain Current Board Policy and practice at DHS.

Allow for some exceptions as we continue to learn the program and give students access to meet their needs.

Advantages Outside online programs often do not provide a

final grade in a timely manner. Opens access to ALL students. We can review the curriculum and make

adjustments to align with our courses. Significant amount of fraud with online

diplomas/courses. Unable to validate. We add to our menu of options for students.

Advantages (cont.) Diagnostics and placement tests for

alternative programs and students who transfer to us.

Potential implications for parents who desire home schooling.

Components of the program are available to all teaching staff.

Next Steps This is a work in progress. Continue to learn all aspects of the program

and train more teachers. Explore other ways of utilizing

Odysseyware Consider inviting home schooled families

back to DUSD.