Apex Orientation for Students

(Courses or Tutorials)1. Log into Apex (www.apexvs.com or Student Quick Links, Apex Learning)

ID is your computer login (ab12345, for example) Password is CHANGEME (all caps, one word) or previous password. If you cannot log in, see

your mentor for a password change.2. Click YOUR NAME in the upper right corner; make sure you check each tab for the information in

your profile (email, password, etc.). Change the contact email to something you check often. Look at the COACH tab and make sure the email is correct for parent. We will also add actual

athletic coaches, resource teachers, etc. as requested. If the COACH is wrong, let your mentor know. It is essential that you get this correct as this is where reports will be emailed.

3. Click HELP in the upper right corner next to your name4. Click GETTING STARTED5. Click TAKE COURSE for either COURSES or TUTORIALS (it will be the

first or second course on the page).6. Click QUIZ and complete the quiz 7. Click WHAT’S NEXT? below the quiz link8. Click CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION a few lines

down on this page9. DOWNLOAD MY CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

on the next screen

There should be a menu popup at the bottom

of your screen, click OPEN Click FILE-SAVE As when your certificate comes up in a separate window Navigate to your H: drive (should be your login “ab12345” for example) Click the yellow folder with a red star to create a NEW FOLDER (or right-click, NEW) Type “Apex” for the folder name and open it. Change the filename of your certificate to “B1”. Each assignment in Apex has a numbered

name, but this is in the extra sections so this is the filename. Click SAVE—you will upload this to your virtual teacher when directed by your mentor as

teachers may not be assigned yet.10. If you have a teacher , go to the MESSAGES, get a new message, check SUBMIT HOMEWORK, choose

B.1 extra credit and upload your certificate/send to your teacher.

Mat-Su iTech

Apex Tips & Tricks

Student Notebook—a good notebook is a critical part of student success in Apex!

Extra credit posted after submitting final exam (up to 5%) Student notes may be used on unit exams/final exams (except for AP courses) Use 3-ring binder

o Print out syllabus and key terms (from Appendix A in Apex course)o Print out course schedule (student progress report)

Study guides—print out unit by unit from Appendix A--syllabus or as student goes through lessonso Study guides are checked before student takes unit tests—this is required

Bring your notes/binder to testing (open notes except AP classes)o Study guides are checked if student fails a quiz and asks for reset/move ono Hand written notes in a spiral notebook are an acceptable substitute for Apex study guideso Use the CheckUp assignments to help you study (answers are always linked out from Pg 2)

Scheduling your work

Set up a regular study schedule and stick with it!o If you miss a few study sessions, double them up the next week to stay on tracko An average Apex class should be scheduled 70-90 hours to completeo Print out your student progress report with due dates

Keep up with your due date schedule to save stress! Take unit proctored CSTs and TSTs as soon as possible after you complete the unit

o Waiting too long will lower your scores, and taking too many proctored tests in one sitting will burn you out

o All writing assignments must be completed/turned in before taking a proctored test DO: complete study guides and written assignments in order DO NOT: take all the quizzes, and go back to the study guides/written work later

Communicating with your virtual teacher

Update your contact information in your student profile Know WHO your virtual teacher is!

o Mouse over the course name from the home page, you can read the instructor profile Send in your “Student Getting Started Certification” document as soon as you start the class

o Include some personal information about YOU in the message to the instructor Ask questions when you are not sure about any assignments Include the name of your class/unit in any communications

o Teachers typically are in charge of MANY different courses, be aware that it takes extra time to look up your information (and they can’t do it from their smart phones)

Treat your virtual teacher how you would like them to treat you…politely and with respect!

Taking proctored tests

Check the proctoring schedule Allow enough time to complete both the CST/TST in one sitting No cell phones Bring your Apex notebook, a pencil and a calculator (for math/science)

Have all your unit work completed/turned in BEFORE testing