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NovaNet: another powerful learning option
“This is a powerful tool that gives students
another option for learning. It will likely lead to more of our students
graduating on time,” said Heatly’s Assistant Principal Matthew Zebrowski.
Zebrowksi was speaking of NovaNET, an online courseware system available
to Heatly students in grades 9 through 12. The system allows selected
students to go through individualized instructional programs to earn
credits, recover credits for classes they previously failed and/or to
review course content to prepare for state exams. The Internet-based
software program became available in the district in mid-October. Four
students have already “graduated” through classes and 20 learners are
currently taking advantage of Heatly’s latest high-tech
teaching/learning tool.
“Students can access the software in the NovaNET computer lab or by
using one of the five NovaNET computers in the library,” explained Bob
Shovah, a teaching assistant who oversees the NovaNET lab in Green
Island. “The participants are recommended for the program by guidance
counselors, teachers or administrators. They take the online courses
during their regularly scheduled study halls.”
In addition, the online learning environment is being used by a
homebound student who has a short-term medical issue. “This is a
fantastic way to make sure this student doesn’t fall behind in class,”
Shovah said. “We can also use some features of NovaNET to test new
students who have incomplete records to see the grade level they should
be placed or extra help they may need.”
Not the easy way out
In many cases, the first reactions to the idea
of online learning opportunities involve questions about whether
students are taking “the easy way out.”
“That’s definitely not the case,” Shovah commented. “Teachers review all
online course materials before pupils even have access to it. Students
can’t participate in an online program unless it has a stamp of approval
from one of our supervising teachers.”
When students begin working with NovaNET software, they are given a
pre-test. “This determines the areas where they’re already proficient
and the areas where additional work is needed,” Zebrowski explained.
“Then, a sort of ‘academic prescription’ is written for each student so
they’re working on the exact content they need to be focusing on.”
The students are then tested along the way. “There is no way for them to
progress through the software until they reach certain levels of
achievement,” Shovah said.
An added layer of quality control comes when supervising teachers review
each student’s progress using detailed weekly reports that Shovah
generates and distributes. “So, the safeguards built into the software
system itself, combined with rules and guidelines established by our
district’s Policy Committee, ensure students are learning the material
they need to know,” Shovah said.
NovaNET advantages
Heatly students have found numerous advantages
with NovaNET classes. “Online learning addresses different learning
styles. For example, some students don’t always respond well to
traditional classroom learning situations. This gives them a chance to
work in a different type of environment,” Zebrowski said. “For students
who may have failed a class last year, there’s an option to have an
online course in their schedule while they’re also taking their other
required classes. So, they’re less likely to fall behind.”
In addition, Heatly learners are using NovaNET to review regular
classroom materials and prepare for Regents exams. “The online classes
are aligned with the New York State Learning Standards, which means our
students are learning the material they’re required to know in order to
pass the state tests,” Shovah explained.
Heatly senior Bobby Skiba enrolled in a NovaNET trigonometry review
class to prepare for the January Regents exam. “It’s a fun way to
learn—not necessarily easier than the regular classroom-based course
because you still need to know the same material, but it’s a good
option. I’m gaining back the knowledge I lost over the summer,” he said.
“I would definitely recommend NovaNET to other students. It gives them
time to take electives they may be interested in rather than repeating
an entire course they’ve already taken.”
Eleventh-grader Riannon Simpson also using NovaNET to prepare for a
Regents exam; she’s reviewing content in the Living Environment science
course. “At first, I didn’t think the online class would help me because
I know the type of student I am,” she said. “But it’s definitely helped.
It’s been a really good review for the Regents.”
Riannon and her fellow online students have also learned a bit about the
self-motivation necessary to succeed in this type of learning
environment. “It’s up to you to take the notes and do what needs to be
done to get through the class,” she said.
Shovah agreed, adding, “It’s been amazing to see the students log on to
the system and get right to work. They’re showing independence and
taking responsibility for their success.”
And this promises to help them in other situations. “I think I’m doing
better in my other classes because of the skills I picked up in the
NovaNET class,” Riannon concluded.
