INSTRUCTIONAL MODEL

The North Carolina Virtual Public School utilizes an online educational environment to provide increased educational opportunities to public school students across the state through an anytime, anyplace instructional model. An anytime, anyplace instructional model accommodates scheduling flexibility, provides students opportunities to accelerate learning, delivers instruction to homebound students, extends student learning beyond the traditional school day, and offers credit recovery options to students throughout the year.

To accommodate student needs and provide optimal flexibility, NCVPS online offerings are designed for an appropriate combination of synchronous and asynchronous delivery, affording students access to their courses 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Through web-based, asynchronous tools, such as discussion boards, email, file exchange, collaboration groups, and online testing, student-centered learning communities are established to promote student engagement and active learning in the online environment. All courses are instructor-led to facilitate group interaction, differential instruction, project based and inquiry learning, while increasing student-student and teacher-student exchanges.

In addition to the asynchronous online format, synchronous tools, such as whiteboard, text-based chat, and telephone or V.O.I.P. (Voice Over IP) are utilized to provide real-time communication and additional support to online students. Instructors are required to establish weekly online office hours to support individualized instructional needs through whiteboard instruction; communicate with students via phone, and organize small group, text-based exchanges to increase student engagement and online collaborative opportunities.

The North Carolina Virtual Public School supports a wide array of instructional materials, online resources and communication tools to foster higher levels of cognitive learning, critical thinking, ICT (Information and Communications Technology) and 21st Century learning skills. These instructional resources provide for student interaction with outside experts, simulations and case studies, role playing, debates, brainstorming, group projects, and the use of technology for student products and alternate assessment practices.

• NCVPS 21st Century Learning for 21st Century Success Model
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