Winter Schedule

Today, December 20, is an Instructor Work Day. Instructors will not be available until after the Winter Break. You may access content as normal, but please be advised that the Help Desk, and instructors will be unavailable from December 21-31st. All classes will resume on January 3rd. Have a great break, and we will see you all next year!

Reminder: Virtual Virginia does not close for snow.

Ms. Spinelli (AP Environmental Science)

Free Professional Development Opportunity for Virginia World Language Teachers

Virginia World Language teachers have the opportunity to explore how students are using online course tools to learn languages through a new professional development mini-course from Virginia Department of Education’s online course provider, Virtual Virginia. This free course, called World Language Online Wonders (WOW), will be delivered online and be facilitated by veteran online world language teachers. The course will run from January 10, 2011 to February 4, 2011.

The course will be asynchronous, so there will not be set class meeting times. Instead, participants will work through four modules that examine issues of reading, writing, listening comprehension, and speaking in an online world language classroom. After reading all course material and completing all course assignments, participants will receive a certificate indicating completion of eight hours of professional development. With prior approval from the local school division, this certificate may be used toward license renewal.

If you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity, email scott.cloud@virtualvirginia.org between December 8, 2010 and January 4, 2011 to request a registration. Space is limited.

Tuesday Teacher Profile: Mr. Tom Landon

Name: Mr. Tom Landon

Courses Taught: AP Human Geography

Location: Roanoke, VA

Years Teaching: 11

Hidden Talent: I play the trumpet in a goofy marching band called the Norman Fishing Tackle Choir, and I enjoy making not-for-profit documentary films on the side.

Thoughts about online teaching and learning: When I started working for Virtual Virginia, I worried that I'd miss the personal interaction with students. Now, four years later, I've learned that online courses ARE personal, and I think I know my students better now than I did in a face-to-face environment.

New Course for Spring 2011

http://www.virtualvirginia.org/courses/catalog/astronomy.html

4260 Earth Science II – Astronomy

Astronomy takes a deeper look at the scientists who study the stars, planets, and galaxies and the tools they use. This project based, half-credit, semester course is a great sequel to the introductory information provided in Earth Science I, and utilizes the Share the Skies telescope to collect and analyze real astronomical images and data.

Prerequisites

Successful completion of 4210 Earth Science I

Recommended, but not mandatory – successful completion of Algebra

Registrations is open now at http://register.virtualvirginia.org/maestro/