Student Success
Know Before You Go: The Power of Formative Assessments
By Guest Blogger on January 14th, 2014
A few years ago, not long after I first learned to drive, a family friend allowed me the opportunity to borrow his car.
The rule of the road was “if it has two digits, it goes around the city in a circle and you can’t get lost, it’ll always bring you back.”
When I began driving with my friend, I noticed I was a bit lost, but was fortunate enough to see the I-95 sign. It had two digits, the 9 and 5, so that must have meant it would loop around and I’d be back in no time. An hour later, I pulled off at an exit to ask for directions, to find I was now an hour and a half away from home.
Efforts vs. Smarts
By Mary Mitchell on January 10th, 2014
In her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Dr. Carol Dweck explains the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset and how this impacts our success in learning and in life. Dweck argues we aren’t just “born smart” or with certain abilities. We have the incredible capacity to learn and grow every day. We can actually expand our brains and intelligence with our effort.
In fact, Dweck claims that “praising intelligence and ability doesn’t foster self-esteem and lead to accomplishment, but may actually jeopardize success. With the right mindset, we can motivate our kids and help them to raise their grades, as well as reach our own goals – personal and professional.”
The underlying basis of the two mindsets, “fixed” and “growth” is illustrated in the chart below. Continue reading
Get Ready for College!
By Guest Blogger on January 6th, 2014
Now that you’ve survived the New Year and enjoyed some time off from work or school, it’s time to hit the ground running and tackle the world!
While you are in a motivated mindset, let’s make sure you or your student(s) have everything needed to be college-ready.
The Federal Student Aid Office has many resources to help students prepare for college. One of those resources is a handy checklist.
Start by downloading the College Prep Checklist.pdf (other accessible versions and resources are available here) and check out the Your “To Do” List organized by grade. Continue reading
The Power of Words
By Guest Blogger on December 17th, 2013
Earlier this year, our FLVS Teacher of the Year, Shawn Wigg, shared his thoughts on the power of negativity in a blog post for The Virtual Voice. His comments were inspired by a presentation given by Jon Acuff, one of the keynote speakers at the Florida Virtual School 2013 Professional Learning Conference.
Jon explored the five stages every life goes through on the path to awesome and looked at what it takes to punch fear in the face, escape average, and do work that matters. As you can imagine, Jon’s words resonated with FLVS employees on several levels. He spoke to us about our influence on others and how often people don’t realize how their actions and words affect those around them. Jon left us with an equation to consider: “1 Insult + 1,000 Compliments = 1 Insult.” Continue reading
10 Engaging Facts About Engagement
By Guest Blogger on December 12th, 2013
Student Engagement is what I do.
I research it. Blog about it. Present about it. Make infographics about it. It’s even in my job title. All day, everyday, it’s student engagement.
My official title is “Student Engagement Technician,” but I like to think of myself as an Ideator/Innovator/Gamer/Trend Creator/Researcher/Connector/Explainer. I spend my days researching student trends—music, viral videos, websites, blogs, social media…anything and everything, trying to find ways to connect them to student learning and course development. Continue reading
Can Students REALLY Learn Math Online?
By Guest Blogger on December 3rd, 2013
Whenever I tell someone I am a teacher, they give me an approving look as if to say, “Oh! That’s great.”
In the natural progression of the conversation, they always ask next, “What do you teach?”
Once the word “Math” or “Algebra” comes out, the look changes to one of pity as if I were drafted to teach such a subject.
As the conversation spirals, the final question is, “Where do you teach?” This is the question that shifts the gears of the conversation and allows me the opportunity to explain the amazing work that is done at FLVS. Once I tell someone I teach Math online, it is as if I have personally uncovered the lost city of Atlantis. The many questions surrounding this new discovery start rolling in. Continue reading
Doors Continue to Open in Online Learning
By Guest Blogger on November 21st, 2013
The annual “Opening Doors to the World” awards celebration was created by The Foundation for Florida Virtual School (The Foundation) to honor champions, pioneers, and distinguished individuals who have been instrumental in paving the way for innovative education.
Without steadfast supporters, The Foundation would not have the opportunity to create new innovative programs for our students. The support that continually opens new doors allows for a brighter future in education and online learning. To those who donated time, talent, dollars, or connections to our September 2013 event, thank you! Continue reading
The Real Win is in Losing!
By Amy LaGrasta on November 19th, 2013
Losing is part of life. In fact, it is one of the most valuable lessons one can learn.
We don’t get everything we want all of the time. We can’t win every race. Tasting defeat only allows us to savor victory and try harder the next time. Learning how to lose teaches us how to win.
If a child knows they will automatically get a reward for showing up, what motivation is there to try? If our students’ walls are adorned with ribbons and trophies for participation, we have done them a disservice. We are teaching them that a promotion will be handed over on a silver platter, not earned. Grades will be given based on attendance, not effort. Continue reading
FLVS Student Wins the US Open Boys’ Doubles
By Guest Blogger on November 5th, 2013
FLVS Full Time student Martin Redlicki practiced tirelessly to win the US Open boys’ doubles on Saturday, September 7th.
As if that wasn’t enough, he also is taking senior level courses, with two of those courses being Honors, here at FLVS.
Martin certainly had a unique experience at the tournament. Continue reading
Multitasking: Technically Impossible
By Guest Blogger on November 1st, 2013
These days it seems like everyone is always trying to multitask.
It’s certainly possible to fold laundry while talking on the phone, or ride a bike while listening to music, but it just doesn’t work well to attempt two tasks that involve brain power at once.
Why? Our brains can hold only five to nine things in their short-term memories, so when someone’s trying to accomplish two dissimilar tasks that both require some level of thought and attention, that’s where the “multitasking” ends and the switching from one task to another begins. And when information doesn’t make it into the short-term memory, it can’t make it into long-term memory to be recalled later. Continue reading