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Provost Academy: the UnVirtual Online School
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Provost Academy. All opinions are 100% mine.
As a young student in high school, I really didn't know anyone since I had just moved to state. I had my first meeting with my advisor and I instantly began to feel connected to the school. Fast forward 20 years later…that advisor and I are still in touch.
From the moment we first talked, my experience became more than just high school. It became a source of inspiration, information, awareness and it gave me a sense of preparation when it came to challenges in life.
In fact, that high school advisor is the one that suggested I go into marketing, communications and writing because she thought that I had a knack for these things. She was right and she changed my life.
At Provost Academy in South Carolina, relationships matter as much as academics. Provost connects students with peers, mentors, and with opportunities. Plus Provost Academy is Accredited which means that your diploma the counts. With devoted teachers, administrators and advisors, Provost Academy works hard to develop one-to-one relationships with students and to inspire learning.
PROVOST ACADEMY ~ THE UNVIRTUAL ONLINE SCHOOL
Provost Academy in South Carolina is all about putting the social into the virtual learning experience. Provost is an online public school in South Carolina that serves grades 9-12. Plus, there is no cost to enroll since they are a public school.
Provost understands that learning is unique to each of our students, and flexibility is required. We believe by working together we can create a distinctive learning experience for each student.
CHECK OUT THE PROVOST VIDEO
MY UNVIRTUAL SCHOOL IDEA
My UnVirtual School Idea is for Provost to have Google Hangouts with some of their most accomplished students so that other students can ask questions and so they can at least see each other online.
SHARE YOUR UNVIRTUAL SCHOOL IDEA TO ENTER TO WIN A $100 BARNES & NOBLE GIFT CARD
Now you can enter to win a $100 Barnes & Noble gift card courtesy of Provost Academy #MyUnVirtualSchool. TO ENTER, comment on this blog post below answering this question:
HOW CAN AN ONLINE SCHOOL BECOME SOCIAL?
Giveaway runs through September 16, 2014 and one winner will be selected/notified by IZEA. Click HERE for the Official Contest Rules.
Very interesting concept!!
Such a great concept – very interested to see where to will go
neat idea, I hadn’t really seen anything like it before
I love the idea of online schooling, especially if it is public, therefore free. I have a child who I homeschool and this would be a great option.
Provost Academy sounds amazing! How neat that your adviser inspired you so much and you are still in touch.
I love the idea of an unvirtual school! & your idea of the G+ hangouts would be so beneficial to students.
We just started homeschooling and social interaction is a huge concern for me, I think this is a great way for people to interact based on a common subject.
I took an online class in college, and I got to know my classmates pretty well, thanks to our professor, who required a lot more social interaction than other professors. At the beginning of the semester, we had one class in a real classroom where we all introduced ourselves and learned how to use the online program. We also made profiles with pictures. Then, we had weekly meetings where one person was in charge of the discussion and everyone else was required to make a certain number of comments (Kind of like a Twitter party). I think something like that would work at this Academy, as well as a couple of field trips throughout the year. You could also give extra credit to students who work on projects together.
An online school can become social by having field trips and meetings.
I know that’s a concern with a few moms I know. How to have their kids social while homeschooling them. But there are plenty of groups that meet up both on and offline.
An online school can become social by having online discussions.
I think the best way for an onlibe school to bbe social is to have and encourage group projects so the kids get to work with different people and experience different ideas. I think an online school could at times be very lonely since there isnt any physical interations (seeing one another in person) and group projects would encourage some interactions. Another way to be social would be to have perhaps a place where the kids could share their lives- like a private facebook page monitored by the instructor or if each ‘classroom’ had a chatroom.
An online school can be social by using social media like twitter and facebook. It should also consider Skype, a great webpage and online videos on youtube!
I think an online school having video chats with other online school about subjects that matter and converse with each other on what they learned. Or having a hangout and getting to know what other kids do all over the country.
With social media, online school can be social easily! Once the students make a connection they can become friends on facebook, twitter, etc and develop relationships.
An online school can become social by having periodic meetings in settings that relate to the subject (field trips). I like Ellen Beck’s idea of group projects too. The students can work on them virtually, through social media, and finally present their project either via video chat or gather at a venue for presentations.
I think that online collaborations, feedback, and frequent commenting can certainly make an online school social.
An online school can become more social via video teleconferencing
Maybe by having real meetups or even some sort of online hangout for the students to interact with each other.
sellcrystal2 at gmail dot com
By using message board hangouts!
I would think that encouraging Skype type communications for both learning and for extracurricular activities would help make online schooling more social. I also think some local meet-ups face-to-face would be possible.
I think it could be social by having forums where students can discuss topics. Chat sessions too.
they can use chatrooms and arrange local lunches and field frips
They can have twitter parties, do pinterest project collaborations, create forums for certain topics, and send email invites to everyone for events.
Online discussions, field trip videos
I think the best way for an online school to encourage students to be social is to create multiple chatrooms for each class (I go to a public university, and there’s a chatroom for every class, so it is possible) and assign group projects to students. This way they have to communicate with each other to get their work done, and the groups can be switched up on a weekly basis. This might work better in online schools where people don’t live in a close proximity, and it might be better for the shyer students. I know I wouldn’t want to have to worry about how my hair looks because I have a video conference with people I don’t know yet, especially if I’ve already signed up for what I thought was an online, no face time course.
online discussion boards and video chats run by current students!
tvollowitz at aol dot com
Probably best thru video chat options
Online school can become social by having online discussions.
By using social media.
Video chatting and connection via teh web.
I think online school can get more social by having a group where everyone can discuss the class.
An online school can become social utilizing social media.
I think with the right marketing they will be very successful!
Have videos and video chat
I think lots of virtual and in-person group seminars would help!
I think the best way would be through Forums and a Closed Facebook Group.
An online school can be social by having weekly online discussions about currents events, and how people feel about them.
I am wanting to homeschool my kids, but with the lack of social interaction it my only drawback. So I think with incorporating Facebook, facetime, etc to interact with other homeschooling kids on subjects and such
Online schools can be social by having message areas where classmates can discuss anything and everything, apart from where they do assignments. They can also have field trips or get-togethers since the students are in the same area.
By using social media and online forums.
Sorry the whole idea scares me. There is people out there who will take advantage of children in any way they can.
I think it would be nice to have weekly get-togethers where students could meet and socialize.
ONLINE SCHOOL can BECOME SOCIAL by having televised classes to meet the other students
I think an online school can become more social through meet-ups in real life with students, video chats and even just simple collaborations on projects outside of class – like vlogs, blogs or other projects done for fun 🙂
It can be as social as it works to be. Interactions online for the students, meetups for school trips, even group project work online or with skype.
Virtual schools can foster relationships between students through online discussion boards, video conferences, and other online tools. They also can organize field trips and other real-world meetups. Students may socialize better with each other by getting to know each other virtually, before being able to judge fellow students by their appearance, gender, race, or clothing choices.
You could use chat rooms or video conferencing to make online school more social. You could also try to do field trips with those that live close by. Thank you!
I actually attended an online high school. My school had a community where students could create discussions and talk to each other. I felt that it made the school really social and allowed me to make friends without having to leave my house.
An online school can become social through chat rooms, video chat (like skype) and discussion boards
video chat and online group projects ..
Online school can be social through Skype, online chat rooms, & discussion boards, would be a great ideas.
An online school can become social by having online discussions and advertising on social sites.
One of my online teachers has a twitter account for our class.
this is a great way for people for people to connect easier
I think an online school could become social in many ways by using social media, online bulletin and posting videos.
I think Facebook groups, chat rooms, and maybe a monthly in person meeting would be good ways to be social
There are so many ways online school can be social like Google Hangouts, private Facebook groups, Skype dates, Twitter chats…the possibilities are endless.
You could video chat
Starting clubs and sports
able to chat with a lot of ppl at once, like a classroom
Online video discussion groups.
The professors can set up facebook groups or G+ hangouts for the students to discuss classwork. Classmates can use social media to set up times to meet at coffee shops to study. Professors can be active on social media to be available to students as well
An Online School can become Social many ways. First, in addition to the interaction of the online class itself, I think the key is to have an online discussion where people can interact with each other regarding classes, assignments, and other questions/comments that help both students and instructors alike. Skype and/or teleconferencing is always a good way to communicate with each other and definitely has a more personal feel to it. Facebook allows you to join in a Specific Group which would be ideal for an Online School. The concept of field trips is good, however, sometimes this is not feasible, depending on the students situation. However, it would be good to offer it to those who could participate. They say a “picture is worth a thousand words.” If the students used Instagram to post pictures regarding assignments – this would be a great way to communicate with each other. Also, Pinterest is another great way to communicate through sharing Pictures with a Synopsis or How To. The use of Pinterest could be very beneficial on certain assignments.
With web cams and earphones/mics students could easily engage in “face to face” (sort of) groups online. Establishing Facebook and Pinterest groups would be another great way to share and be social.
I think the school can be more social by focusing on networking the students on all social channels
I think clubs and groups can be formed from the students interests
I think they could have forums for students. It also seems that they should be blogging about successes they have, tips for going to college, and so many other ideas they could incorporate. Of course, using sites such as Instagram, Vine, Facebook, and Twitter.
What a great idea, online school is a great idea and kids don’t have to worry if what they have fits in with the kids in class. It can become social with online discussions
I think constant communication is the key and figuring out which media is the easiest to use for the students.
I think a forum would be good! My sister has a forum..that is not school related….but we create fun games..that could be educational for the kids yet fun and a great way to interact with others. Have it be protected so only those enrolled could see it and post….and have someone to moderate.
It can beomce more social with facetime/skype or any other video chat
Online classe could become more social by using skype and having study groups thru skype.
I think forums and message boards would be key, as well as some regular field trips to get everyone together in person.
i suggest adding parents and other teahcers
By creating opportunities and platforms for students to connect and share their passions.
It can be social with forums or by setting up places to meet in the actual world.
The school could set up opportunities for the kids (and parents, they need social interaction too!) to do community service or volunteer work
an online school can be social by:
using skype sessions for teacher-student interaction, “group projects”, verbal exams (such as for a language class), or “presenting a paper in front of the class”.
you can also group people together with similar interests or in similar locations and urge them to exchange emails/phone numbers or even meet in person.
have weekly meetings (if it is in a central location and not spread out over large locations) in a coffee shop, local library, local park, or a free museum.
create a twitter page or facebook page that the students can ask each other questions and post questions to the professor as well as interact with each other and teach each other.
In today’s technological world, it’s much easier to become social online in groups. My favorites to chat with both online and IRL friends are Skype and Facebook Instant Message.
Skype, email, facebook.
I think you’d have to utilize social media and create communities of interest on FB, Twitter, whatever the kids are using these days to keep them connected.
An online school can be social by having live chat discussions where students can interact with each other and it could also utilize social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
I do not know much about getting social online but I think an online school can become more social by having to interact with other students online in some time of chat session among all of the students and the instructor to make it more interactive learning while still online.
By using Skype or Face Time!
They can have more interactive videos or updated blogs that teachers and students can interact through. If it’s a big online school in a particular area there can be a few physical meet ups. There can be live tweet ups or chats that are interactive
by skypeing and facebooking really not sure i understand question
I’d be helpful to have lots of online forums and video conferencing options.
things like Skype, or IM (does anyone even use that anymore)
An online school can become social by going on field trips, having Google+ Hangouts, offline meetings and online discussions and utilizing face to face programs like FaceTime and Skype.
I think an online school could become more social by setting up a website with forums and chat rooms for the students and teachers.
Where were online schools when I was in high school, oh yeah the internet had not been invented yet. I think developing specific apps for social interaction would be best, that you can build in virtual chalkboards and face to face contact. I have taken online college courses and an online bulletin board was woefully inadequate as the only means of class communication.
monthly in person field trips!
The online classes I taught had interactive projects we could all explore, teleconferencing, a Facebook page, and lively message boards!
The ability to video chat would make online classroom quite the social place 🙂
I think it would be neat to have closely monitored chatrooms. A web designer could even make them cute or colorful depending on the age group.
I think if the online school requires group projects then it will require the students to communicate with each other.
Online schooling is meant for, among other things, the convenience of not having to be in a physical building that might very well be miles and miles away from you. Therefore, it isn’t likely that there would be many physical meet and greets. However, online schooling, with the help of awesome technology today, can do many things to bring together the students. There are web chat programs, video programs, some professors like to have the students post introduction paragraphs on message boards at the start of classes and require students to comment on at least 2 of these from different people. There are some professors that require group efforts which bring students together and help them to learn to communicate with each other through the internet. To help the students collaborate, instructors can encourage use of tools such as google docs, wikis, and blogs. There are numerous ways that people can connect and be social during online schooling!
I think an online school can become social via get-together on-line, via virtual community service projects, and with perhaps an occasional real life get together.
An online school can be more social through social media such as facebook, twitter, G+ Also, local meetups could be established so that students could socialize face-to-face.
An ONLINE SCHOOL CAN BECOME SOCIAL by engaging their students to join in on field trips, online projects, and web chats about programs, classes, or activities. thank you
This looks like the wave of the future.
have videos and advertising.
Similar students can chat through social media to work together.
Skype would help you interact face to face and make it more social. IMs and chat boards also help facilitate interaction and the social aspect.
I think video classes would help make online schools more social.
I think something similar to yahoo groups would work for this.
I think online can be social with the use of a blackboard classroom.
You can make it an interactive experience with voices and possible messaging between students.
My daughter attended virtual school for a year, and they way they added socialization to the mix was to issue each child a webcam hookup and headset. The “class” met online for one hour every day and had the opportunity to share ideas and make connections.
You have to have live meet-ups between the kids in different areas. Maybe something like club days or group projects where you have to interact with each other.
Of course, you have all of your social media out there. But my newest favorite is a site called padlet.com Its great for information sharing and collaboration between students. I love this site!
An online school can be social through video chats, web groups, and scheduled meet ups.
Field trips and group video chats
an online school can hold webcam events
They can chat online and get to know each other.
Online schools can be very social if there are ways to interact, like message boards and chats.
An online school can become social by organizing field trips, parties and utilizing Skype
They could become social by having online forums and group activities or meetings in person.
Though it had nothing to do with my classmates one of my professor’s made me go on a “scavenger hunt” through town and find some things and take pictures and such. It was definitely social because in order to finish I had to have others take pictures of the places I was at when I found whatever it was in order to complete the assignment, no, I wasn’t allowed to just take a friend, lol
An online school could become social by doing meet-ups and field trips with the other students!
I know many kids who go to school online and they make it more social by talking to their friends and the phone and even meeting them at summer camp, winter camp, etc. The few times they see each other in real life makes the online school way more social!
I think online school is a great idea for today’s times. With all of the online connecting tools like skype, being social should be easy to accomplish.
An online school can be social by using social media for example
I think getting together and doing a project that will help out the community, be it picking up garbage in the park.
Online school can become social by having online discussions and meeting up in person to go to museums and other field trips.
Face time or group sessions would seem to be a fit.
Awesome idea! We homeschool and YES this is an important part of things! The G+ hangouts are a good idea! I know I’d let my kids enjoy that when they’re older! At their age, we’re good with face to face! Good luck!
Oh-and some other ideas would be Geocaching, Virtual Tours of eachothers areas, and Private Facebook Groups!
Online schools are needed!! You can make them social by having mandatory discussion groups and chat rooms
I love that an online school which is typically an antisocial concept…could be social!
can become social using social media, like Twitter parties for various subjects as well as using Skype and Teleconferencing
Kathryn C
My children are homeschooled, but they are in a bowling league along with several other extracurricular groups. An online school could easier encourage small local groups who get together to socialize, study, discuss, etc.
an online school can be social by having some type of get togethers or having a lot of skype interaction
I’ve taken a lot of online classes and we stayed connected using the forums and instant chat program built into the class software, but it would great if they could be connected further through things like, twitter, instagram, or snapchat
Meet weekly.
An ONLINE SCHOOL could be more social if skype was incorporated
What about an email like pen pal program? I think that would be a good idea.
They could utilize video chats and social media to get a discourse going.
The school can use Meetup.com, to allow students to meet up with each other, based on their interests, like computer science, anime club, chess club,etc.
the idea of using meetup.comto allow students to meet up with each other is a nice idea for making online schooling more sociable.
there are many ways like, making a school directory of students so that they can get in contact with fellow students near them. Making a google page is a goodidea to, or even just a networking website for themselves for the school.
By having Skype sessions or getting everyone together to meet up.
the biggest would be social media. have the school make its own online page/forum where students can dicuss things going on.
Not having the interaction with friends is the main reason why we are not homeschooling my teen. I think that if our online school offered field trips, study groups, or the opportunity to be on an athletic team or service club, we’d probably choose online over public schools.
I think online schools can become more social by having skype events, meeting up locally for clubs and field trips or even meeting regionally, if people are far apart.
online school can be social through online social media settings. Something really great about online schooling is that it is computer based, so get a laaptop and head out into the sunny sky days. it helps with being more active too (:
i would love to win! thanks doll!
I took some online courses at my local community college as well as classes at the school. I do love the benefits of learning online.
We just started homeschooling and social interaction is a huge concern for me, I think this is a great way for people to interact with a common goal.
have a chat room
It should include a forum/chat room type of system. Also where kids can interact if they want outside of the online that way they aren’t missing out on the social aspects of life.
Personally I have always enjoyed learning about current events or things in which I can relate to. Using discussion boards to incorporate current situations to the topics at hand could prove to be very beneficial for the students.
With social media promotions, giveaways, and information about the school.
I think an online school can become social not only through online chat apps, but also if there were regional conventions or conferences where students and their families could meet.
An online school can be social by having study groups and group events
Social Media would be the best way for online schools to become social.
An online school can be very social including meetups if possible, chat settings online and webcam time so you can see people that you are taking the class with.
By meeting up for field trips or school activities.
create forums for certain topics, and send email invites to everyone for events.
Field trips where students can meet face to face.
Thanks for the contest.
Use web cams and social media.
Have special contests from time to time could be social, especially as students work on their projects (writing or art contests, etc).
interact with other schools,of course
I believe an online school can become more social when you integrate more than just studies, just as a regular classroom does. In a regular classroom, there is chatting before and after class. Kids get to know each other through similar hobbies and interests. To take that extra step with online studies, students can feel a sense of getting to know each other, a true sense of socialization.
by having online meeting groups,questions you have,etc
I know some of the home schooling moms around here meet every Friday so the kids get to interact!