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Los Angeles Virtual Academy Incorporates Blended Learning Model and Wireless Laptops for Online Math Credit Recovery and Exam Preparation ProgramsBy Rajeev Arora, Vice President, Strategy & Business Development, Elluminate To graduate, high school students in California must pass Algebra 1 as well as the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). How does the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) meet the needs of its students while closing the achievement gap that sometimes happens with traditional classroom education? The answer is the Los Angeles Virtual Academy (LAVA), a learning portal to the future that provides instruction to enable equity and access to a quality education for all district students. Kip Kristine Leland, Ed.D., is a virtual high school specialist for the LAUSD and project manager for LAVA. According to Dr. Leland, the District was looking into online learning more than two years ago as an initiative that could help with a number of challenges, including school over crowding, teacher quality, and providing college-level Advanced Placement (AP) courses for an under-served population. Dr. Leland herself was also interested in online learning and how it could fit in the local school district. The two efforts came together, and she began working on the model for the Los Angeles Virtual Academy (LAVA). “Around this same time, the state of California also began an initiative for an online learning pilot program,” Dr. Leland explained. “Because of the requirements to pass both algebra and the CAHSEE, we focused our initial online learning efforts for LAVA there, offering credit recovery opportunities for students who failed Algebra as well as an alternative high school exit exam preparation option. Instruction is provided by LAUSD teachers and mentors. Each online instructor receives professional development training in the methodology and pedagogy of delivering online instruction.” Today, LAVA provides access to high-quality, standards-based, content-driven learning experiences and alternative learning opportunities that expand the boundaries of the classroom. The environment is designed to build a community of learners, address different learning modalities, and allow for 24/7 access to curriculum. Currently, approximately 388 students use LAVA for credit for Algebra 1A and B credit recovery as well as for preparation for the CAHSEE. LAVA uses a blended onsite/online learning model that includes the BlackBoard learning system for asynchronous course content. Elluminate Live!™ eLearning and Web conferencing environment enables synchronous activity that includes real-time interaction between students and teachers/mentors on an individual, small group, or class basis. In addition, students also meet with teachers or mentors face-to-face. Since its initial launch earlier this year, LAVA has begun offering AP courses in all disciplines via Apex Learning. In addition, ongoing professional development for instructors includes pedagogy and methodology for teaching students online, creating online learning environments, course development and delivery, and student assessment. As part of its online learning pilot project, LAVA also addresses the digital divide, gathering information regarding students’ access to computers. While schools do provide access to computer labs, the academy also implemented a laptop rollout to each of its five sites for students with limited or no computer access. “Each site received 24 wireless laptops, which are stored on a cart that enables the computers to be moved to where ever they are needed,” Dr. Leland explained. “Each site administrator determines if the laptops are checkout for use on campus or at home, and students do both. In addition, our independent study students in the algebra credit recovery program were each given a laptop in a backpack for the duration of the class. In the future, LAVA will continue to grow, rolling out courses in additional disciplines, such as science, English, and social studies. In addition, the academy plans to expand its focus to student intervention and homebound or hospitalized students as well as partnerships with colleges and universities. As Elluminate’s Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, Rajeev Arora is responsible for establishing relationships with strategic partners and identifying new markets where Elluminate can excel. He has over twelve years of sales, marketing and product development experience in the software and Internet industries. Arora holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a M.S. in Engineering Management from Santa Clara University. About Elluminate, Inc. Elluminate, Inc. provides live eLearning and Web conferencing solutions for the real-time organization. Its No User Left Behind™ technology design ensures the best user experience for all through superior-quality VoIP, communications that are in-sync regardless of connection speed, broad cross-platform support, and advanced yet easy-to-use ESP Moderator Tools. Elluminate products create a rich, collaborative environment for live remote training and online meetings, all while delivering lower upfront costs and strong ROI. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and Pompano Beach, Fla., Elluminate serves corporate and academic organizations such as T-Mobile, Interstate Hotels and Resorts, Penn State University, Johns Hopkins University and many more. For more information, visit www.elluminate.com |