Academic Integrity

FLVS Discussion-Based Assessments (DBAs): Options and Alternatives

By on March 31st, 2017

If you missed our quick-start video about discussion-based assessments (DBAs), don’t worry! In this post, we’re sharing a great recap that covers everything you need to know.

At FLVS, we want students to be successful and completely comfortable when learning online. This includes discussion-based assessments.  Even though some students may get nervous or anxious, just remember that DBAs are simply a verbal conversation between you and your teacher.

DBAs are one of the ways we ensure academic integrity (and make sure that it’s actually you doing the work). This is why teachers need to hear directly from you! They will be referencing the work you have done and speaking to students and parents multiple times throughout the course, so there is a common thread of communication that helps teachers connect a face (or voice) to the same student they see in live lessons and through submitted work. DBAs are also there for teachers to help you! Continue reading


Would You Rather…the Dentist or a DBA?

By on March 24th, 2017

Blog_Public_SpeakingChances are that if you ask someone if they’d rather have dental work done or speak in front of an audience, that person will probably have to take a moment to think about it.

According to many studies, the idea of speaking in public or making a presentation ranks extremely high on the anxiety scale.

Along those lines, we’ve heard from many of our students that they are apprehensive when it comes to their discussion-based assessment, commonly known as a DBA. For those not familiar with the DBA, it is a verbal conversation between a student and teacher to discuss what he/she has learned in the modules.

If this is you, you can take some comfort in the simple fact you are not alone.

Have you ever watched someone talk in public and think, “Man, they are great—so relaxed and natural. I wish I could speak like that.” While it’s true that some have a natural gift for gab and their conversations seem effortless, it is quite possible that they had to learn to overcome their nervousness. Speaking professionally in a public setting, is a skill that must be developed and fine-tuned. And this takes time.

Here’s a secret… Continue reading


Meet an FLVS Academic Integrity Manager

By on November 16th, 2016

We are celebrating the 2016-17 school year with a blog series featuring FLVS faculty and staff. Meet the creative and dedicated individuals who make every day a great day at FLVS!

5q-academic-integrityDo you know what the word “integrity” means? It means to be honest and to have honor.

At FLVS, integrity means everything. We instill the importance of academic integrity throughout a student’s time in our courses. Students and parents review our academic integrity policy upon registering for courses, teachers talk about integrity with families in the Welcome Call, and students are reminded of being honorable with most every point of contact during the course.

The position of FLVS Academic Integrity (AI) Manager is one immersed in the search for truth and the tenacity for teaching integrity to students in a meaningful manner.

Here’s the job description for an AI Manager at FLVS:

The Academic Integrity Manager manages the Academic Integrity program at FLVS. The Academic Integrity Manager communicates academic integrity policies and procedures to be implemented by FLVS instructional staff. Continue reading


Become a Research Jedi using Google Search

By on May 11th, 2016

Google Power UserBecome a research Jedi so you will never have to go to the Dark Side.

In a galaxy far, far away…all of Padawans turned in their research projects on time and received perfect scores every time…and…uh…wait a minute – this does sound like a fictional world!

Let’s land in the real world where a research project requires time and effort and especially some serious research skills. Cue the dramatic music and let’s begin your training! Continue reading


Stop, Collaborate, and Listen

By on February 26th, 2014

collaborationDoing Virtual Doesn’t Mean Doing it Alone!

When people think virtual, what do you think comes to mind? Prior to my experience at FLVS, I thought of sitting alone in front of the computer, reading lessons, responding to discussion boards, and checking email. The common denominator behind all of my thoughts was that you do it alone. While virtual education primarily places responsibility on the learner, there is a debatably larger need to collaborate to be successful.

At FLVS, students are required to collaborate with one another at least one time within each segment/semester. Many families, at first glance, think this is a demanding request or an off-the-wall requirement, because of their initial thoughts about virtual education. What they find is that they wonder why they didn’t start collaborating sooner. Continue reading


Academic Integrity: Systematic and Scalable Solutions

By on August 29th, 2013

For five years, I have been a part of the Academic Integrity (AI) Department at Florida Virtual School. I began as an investigator, researching student violations, and eventually moved into the role of manager. While a primary goal of the AI team is to identify and intervene when incidents occur, we also strive to prevent violations from happening. To do this requires a joint effort between all departments, including Professional Learning, Curriculum, Community Relations, and Technology. Continue reading