STUDENT ORIENTATION

ONLINE PATHWAY TO GRADUATION

OUTCOMES: BY THE END OF THIS PRESENTATION YOU WILL HAVE…

• learned of the supports available to you.• heard about the expectations for participating

in OPTG.• logged onto the APEX web site--where classes

can be found.• reviewed your classes. • located the message board--where important

information is placed.• found your progress report--to keep track of

your work.

ARE YOU READY FOR ONLINE LEARNING?

• Are you able to attend required proctored exams and access support at CTI as needed?

• Do you have technology to connect to the internet daily?

• Do you have a dedicated time to work on your courses?

• Do you understand that the workload for an online class is the same as a face-to-face class?

What is required for online learning?

ONLINE PATHWAY TO GRADUATION

• Mandatory proctored unit tests are taken at CTI. Students should expect a written and online test for each unit in each course.

• Support for students available Monday – Thursday, 5-7:00 pm with content teachers.

• Must be active learners to remain in program.

What is an active learner?

PROGRESS REPORTSYou must log in and work in each class a minimum of 5 hours per week.   

Students who do not log on for 15 days will be removed from active status to wait list.

Your school counselor will receive regular emails update with progress updates.

If you are taking 2 classes, how much time should you spend working each week?

CENTER FOR TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION – OPEN OR CLOSED?

CTI follows MCPS’s inclement weather policyComputer lab is closed if:

Computer lab is open if:

• Schools have early dismissal or are closed.

• Afternoon/evening activities in MCPS buildings are cancelled.

• Schools have a delayed opening.

• Check the Apex announcement board for updates.

CENTER FOR TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION

• Computer lab is open from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

• Tests may be taken any evening, Monday through Thursday, if all unit work is completed.

• No tests will be unlocked after 6:30 pm.

• Students must arrive by 5:45 pm, before outside doors are locked.

• After 5:45 pm should call 240-314-2250 to get in the building.

Please put this number in your cell phone now.

ACADEMIC SUPPORTOnline classes are designed for you to work remotely. But, sometimes, you may need help with a concept.•English and math students may come any evening, Monday through Thursday, for help.•Spanish students need to come Mondays or Wednesdays for help.•Science and social studies students need to come Tuesdays or Thursdays for help.What night do you need to come to the lab

to take a science test? an English test?

Day of Week English Math Science Social

StudiesWorld

Languages

Monday Ms. Runyon Mrs. Spriggs Ms. Gardner Ms. Hawkins

Tuesday

Ms. Weinstein Ms. Gibson Mr. Durbin    

Wednesday Ms. Runyon Mrs. Spriggs Ms. Gardner Ms. Hawkins

Thursday

Ms. Weinstein Ms. Gibson Mr. Durbin    

TEACHER SCHEDULES

On your dashboard, hover your cursor over your course name.

You will see your teacher’s name in blue.

Click on your teacher’s name to see his or her email.

EMAIL SUPPORT

EMAIL SUPPORT

When you email your teacher, please include the following:• Your full name• The course title (ex, Algebra 1A)• The unit & assignment you are working on (ex, 1.1.2)

For general questions contact:Patty Bronson, CoordinatorPatricia_Bronson@mcpsmd.org

orMichelle Lipson, SupervisorMichelle_E_Lipson@mcpsmd.org

Technical Issues with Apex1-800-453-1454Where can you find your teacher’s email?

LOGGING IN AT CTI• Turn on your computer using

the tower under the desk.

• The user name is on a white card taped to the top of the desk.

Log on now.

ASSESSMENTS • All assessments, except quizzes, are proctored by OPTG

teachers at CTI.• The number of unit tests vary from course to course;

plan on at least five written and five online unit tests per class.

• You may come any evening, Mon-Thurs 5-7 pm to take a unit assessment, even if your teacher is not present.

• You must complete all the unit’s work, including practice assignments, before taking the written and online unit tests.

Can I take a unit test before I finish the quizzes?

ACADEMIC HONESTY• You may not use your cell phone or access sites other

than Apex at CTI.• Your cell phones should be turned off and out of sight.• If you have a cell phone out during a test, you receive

an automatic zero.• If you need to use your phone and you are not taking

a test, step into the hall.• If you complete your English practice outside of the

presence of an English teacher, you must turn it in using Turnitin.com.

What is the purpose of Turnitin.com ?

DIAGNOSTICS—TESTING OUT

• A student may “test out” of a unit by completing the pre-test and achieving a score of 60% or greater.

• Diagnostic tests are only given at CTI and must be finished before leaving the lab.

• The diagnostic test is recommended if you have already taken the course and are confident that you know the content.

• See Mrs. Bronson or your content teacher for details.

When should you take a diagnostic test?

LOGIN

• Go to the website http://www.apexvs.com

• Enter the username and temporary password provided to you.

• Follow directions on the screen to change your password.

• Answer two security questions.

Please put your user name and password into your phone now.

PROFILE• Click on your name in the upper

right hand corner from the drop down menu choose My Profile.

• Enter your phone number.• Enter your email.

The primary method of contact is via email. Check your email regularly!

How often should you check your email?

MESSAGES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

• View the Welcome Announcement for your classes.

• Watch this space for important messages about your class or CTI closings.

What are the two ways we will contact you?

Click on your course name to open your course. You will see your first section, section 1.1. Click on section 1.1.

Section 1.1 will open up and you will see several things to do. Different classes will have different numbers of tasks. The ones with the orange squares are graded.Click on 1.1.1 to enter the class. Clicking on the study guide icon shows you a guided practice note sheet that you should print and fill in as you read along.

ENTERING ONLINE CLASS

STUDY GUIDES

If you print your study guide, and take notes on it, you may use it when taking quizzes.

Are quizzes open note?

ONLINE QUIZZES• If you take a quiz and fail it, you should review

the section and your notes. • If you fail a quiz a second time, you will be locked

out of the course and you willnot be able to move on.

• If you fail a quiz twice, you need to come to CTI when a content teacher can help you.

What night should you come if you need help in Biology B? Algebra 2A? Spanish1B?

PRACTICES• Most classes have one practice in every unit, some

classes have two.• Practices are graded.• You must finish the practice for each unit before

taking the unit tests.• If you need help finishing a practice, come on a

night when your content teacher is present.• Remember English practices not done in front of an

English teacher must be turned in using turnitin.com

What night should you come if you need help with English 11A? US History B?

GRADE REPORTS

• Click on Actions.• Select View Progress Report to view your scores.

1

2

GRADE REPORTS

Click on the word View

This brings up a list of all assignments and tests and the points you have earned so far.

At the bottom you will find your grade so far based on the points you have earned.

GRADE REPORTS

What does this percent need to be for you to pass the class?

• Each section is like one class in day school. You should expect to spend 30 to 60 minutes on each one.

• Logon and work a minimum of 3 to 5 times a week in each class to finish on time.

• Print your study guides and take notes. Remember the quizzes are untimed and open note.

• If you are taking more than one course, start the math course first.

• Come to CTI for help if you get stuck.

SUCCESS IN ONLINE CLASSES

BEGIN!!!