How It Works

HOW The ONline Learning Community WORKS

Schools affiliate to the Online Learning Community and provide a teacher to deliver a course online.  Each course provided by an online teacher - an e-teacher - is designed in line with The New Zealand Curriculum.  Students from other affiliated schools enrol into a course.  Each class usually consists of around 15 - 20 students.  The classes are run using an online class ‘space’.  These class spaces include the use of a video conferencing platform and an area for curated coursework.

 

OLC e-teachers use ZOOM for their video conference meeting with their class.  The related coursework is developed, stored and shared using an online tool, e.g Google Classroom, Google Sites.

 

For 1 hour every week, the e-teacher runs their face-to-face video conference with their class.  Students join the class at the appropriate time from their home school, using an internet capable device and ZOOM, a free internet-based video conferencing application.  During the conference, students see each other and their e-teacher, which provides an opportunity to build strong relationships, create a sense of community, while engaging in an environment conducive to quality learning.

 

Even though students only see their e-teacher and fellow students once a week, through the online environment and a range of different communication tools, students are able to make contact with their e-teacher as often as need be. Completed assignments, assessments and activities are shared with the e-teacher mainly through Google Docs and Google Drive so e-teachers are able to provide feedback in a timely way.

 

In addition, each affiliated school designates a teacher to provide in-school pastoral support - an e-dean -  for students studying online.  The e-dean is responsible for ensuring students meet their coursework obligations, attend their online meetings and communicate regularly with their e-teacher.  

 

Enrol a Student

Any school can become an affiliated member of OLC.
Find out how to become a member school.
 

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