Academy Online High School principal Rick Tanski provides lessons learned and recommendations for online courses. Students need strong self-discipline, motivation, communication skills, and the ability to stay caught up on work. Online courses require as much time as in-person classes and are not self-paced. Joining an online class after the second week significantly increases workload. Online courses are text-based and may not be suitable for students struggling with reading or visual processing.

1. Academy Online High SchoolRick TanskiPrincipal

2. Lessons Learned &Recommendations

3. Online courses take as much time as a similar in-building class.Plan for 60-70 minutes per class, per day

4. Students need to be very self-disciplined and motivated to be successful online.AOHS classes are not self-paced.

5. Students must be proactive communicators with their online teachers.Check email and courses regularly.

6. Making up work online can be very overwhelming.Stay caught up with classes.

7. Joining an online class after the second week is highly inadvisable.This can increase workload significantly.

8. Online courses, while including multimedia, are very text-based.Students who struggle with reading, communication, and visual processing issues are not good candidates for online courses.

9. Online courses are not for credit recovery.Students needing credit recovery may be able to do so through another district program.

10. Online courses provide multiple levels of interaction.Students interact with teachers, other students, and the content of the course.

11. Students can take classes part or full time.Participation in 4 online/HSA “blocks” determines full-time status.

12. Keys to Online Success

14. Dedicating Time60-70 minutes –per class, per day

16. Keeping up with Your Work