All students should be aware that an online class is not easier than a regular class. In fact, if you do not have good time management skills, it will be more difficult.
Get a notebook or file folder for hard copies of assignments. Create a folder on your computer to keep your assignments. Make a space to work at home.
There are two items you will want to always have at your fingertips.
Keep a copy thecourse schedule and contact information for your teacher.
Organizing your Time
The most common mistake of online students is to mismanage their time. When you are working independently, it becomes your responsibility to manage your learning. This is probably a new experience for most of you. Here are some tips for making the most of your time.
Make a schedule
This is particularly important if you are involved in a lot of school or extracurricular activities. You can plan that it will take you about 4 - 5 hours per week to do your required assignments.
Know your teacher's schedule.
Ask your teacher when a good time is to contact them.
Stay focused on the task at hand.
Do not search the web, play games, chat with your friends, or watch TV while you are working. All of these activities may make it seem that you are "working" on your computer, but in actuality you will not be getting anywhere in the course.
Maximizing your Learning
You probably were never aware of the "order of things" in your classroom. Since your teacher was doing the "guiding," you may not have realized that reviewing the homework came before a new lesson for a reason. There are ways to maximize your learning. Here are some tips:
Check your messages or email before you start working. You may have a note from your teacher that will change what you work on for the day.
Check your messages or email DAILY. This is your teacher’s way to communicate.
Look in your reviewed/graded work. Any work with a zero or low grade probably has comments on how to make it better. You can then resubmit it for a better grade.
Look at your schedule and decide what lesson you want to complete during your work time. Be sure you have completed the reading of the lesson before working on the assignment.
Once a week, you should check your grade book (in eSembler) and record the grades. This will help you organize your completion of assignments. You should NEVER jump around in the course unless your instructor has directed you to do so.
Criteria for student selection is that students must:
be currently enrolled as a full time student in Lewisville ISD.
have not previously failed the class for which enrollment in the online course is requested.
have access to a home computer and Internet access.
have counselor recommendation for the ability to learn in an independent, self-directed manner and for the profile of an online learner.
submit a Student Application/Contract signed by the parents and the counselor.
Attend a required one hour orientation session prior to receiving access to the selected course. (See Schedule)
Dedicate 5-9 hours per week to the course
Login a minimum of 4 times per week. Reports will be generated to reflect the activity of each student
Meet all deadlines for forums and all assignments and tests as provided on the course calendar
Student Comments:
"I think the teacher/student dialogue was a phenomenal idea and it helped a lot. The key to passing the tests, though, is to do additional research and actually go to the links cited in the reading."
"The online class is a great opportunity and should be taken advantage of."
"Most homework and coursework was easy to understand and work with."
"The class was good for me because it required me to actually sit down and work on my own, which was hard sometimes. "
"It takes great responsibility to continue with the course, it helps sort out priorities. "
Get a notebook or file folder for hard copies of assignments. 
Log in here to VLA/eschool class 