NC Online - FAQ
What are AP courses? | What are the characteristics of successful online students? | How much contact will I have with a teacher? | How do online courses work? | What kind of computer do I need to take online courses? | How do I know if supplementary materials are required for a course? | How do I find out about course prerequisites? | How much time should I plan for NC Online course work? | How will the NC Online course appear on my transcript?AP courses are college-level courses taken during high school. More than 90 percent of four-year colleges in the United States give students credit, advanced placement or both on the basis of AP Exam scores. AP credits may allow students to move into upper level courses, pursue a double-major or study abroad. Additional costs are involved for the AP Exams which are administered by Collegeboard in early May each year. The 2012 AP Exam cost was $87. ( Information from www.collegeboard.com )
What are the characteristics of successful online students?
- They are motivated, independent, self-directed.
- They enjoy technology, have strong language skills, and are visual learners.
- They have consistent parent support and are involved in non-academic activities.
- They have positive attitudes and are willing to ask for help.
How much contact will I have with a teacher?
Teachers of online courses will communicate using the telephone, email and instant messaging, and in the case of New Covenant faculty face-to-face. Teachers are expected to respond to student questions within 24 hours (Monday-Friday). When teachers contact students, students are expected to respond within a similar time. Students can contact the teachers as necessary, even if it exceeds the basic communication requirements. Parents may also feel free to contact teachers. Teachers may, in rare cases, establish communication time or volume limits.
Online courses offered through NC Online are asynchronous, meaning there are no live meeting times during which all students and their teacher must be online together. Students read lessons, watch short educational video clips, do research, work on and submit assignments, participate in group projects, and contribute to class discussion threads at times that are convenient for them. Meeting due dates and corresponding with teachers will help students stay on track, and allow them to receive the feedback necessary to stay engaged and learning. To view the student login and progress policy Student Progress Policy
What kind of computer do I need to take online courses?
For a list of technical requirements and recommendations, visit: Technical Requirements
How do I know if supplemental materials are required for a course?
Costs for all supplementary materials are the responsibility of the student. A list of textbooks and other required course materials can be found at http://books.educatoronline.net/.
How do I find out about course prerequisites?
Information regarding prerequisites can be found at http://sevenstar.org/descriptions.php.
How much time should I plan for NC Online course work?
Although students and courses differ, most students can plan to spend a minimum of 4 to 5 hours each week on coursework.
How will the NC Online course appear on my transcript?
The course title will be entered into Gradelink. A quarterly grade will be entered into Gradelink and appear on your report card. The numerical grade of an online course will be converted to a letter grade based on New Covenant’s grading scale.
