Algoma to get 'virtual' high school

The Algoma District School Board is entering the world of E-learning in a big way, trustees learned last night.

"We've done a lot of planning. Now it's time for action," director of education Ray DeRosario (shown at left) told a Tuesday-night meeting in Sault Ste. Marie.

The board wants to establish a "virtual" high school for distance learning over the next year or two, but the work of implementing a pilot program will start immediately, DeRosario said.

First thing Wednesday morning, DeRosario intends to send Emails to all of his principals asking them to identify students (or former students) who might benefit from online classes.

"E-learning is not for everyone," Mario Turco, superintendent of education, told the meeting. "You have to have a particular kind of student."

On the other hand, E-learning might prove very useful to keep more students in school, even to convince some dropouts to return to the system, trustees were told.

The board will also advertise for special teachers for E-learning courses. The number of teachers to be hired will depend on demand for the courses.

The broadband infrastructure needed for distance learning is already in place at Algoma schools.

One major benefit to a 'virtual' education would be the ability to standardize courses offered across the system, so even the smallest schools will have access to a full range of educational choices.

Eventually, the Algoma board will develop its own courses, but for the time being it will partner with school boards in Southern Ontario to make available curriculum already developed there.

Based on experience gained from the pilot program, a "more robust" E-learning program will be presented to the board for implementation in September.

To receive free, real-time updates of SooToday.com's exclusive coverage of local news, just send an Email with "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line to [email protected].