Students Like Provost Academy Online Courses

COLUMBIA, SC – July 10,2009 – Nationwide, a growing number of high school students are realizing the benefits of technology as an effective educational tool, making accredited teaching, proven curricula and flexible learning available to every student without constraints of time, location or learning speed.

Provost Academy, South Carolina’s new public online high school, offers a comprehensive and enriching experience that utilizes the latest technology to help students thrive in a technological world, says Dr. Darrell Johnson, Executive Director of Provost Academy. Streaming video, podcasts, virtual classrooms, specialized coursework and on-demand tutoring provide students a complete and tech-savvy education.

The online courses being offered by Provost Academy have been developed by EdisonLearning, a leading provider of educational services with schools located throughout the nation. Ongoing development and course review for Edison is being conducted in partnership with faculty at Stanford University’s School of Education.

Students at some of EdisonLearning’s partnership schools have already had the opportunity to experience online classes first hand and offered the following reviews:

• I really like that you can move at your own pace, and don’t have to wait to move forward if you’ve already learned the lesson.
• I learned a lot more math online than I did in my regular classroom, because the teacher was focused on me, not the other kids in the room.
• School is less boring; the videos keep me interested, and really help me learn.

Dr. Johnson said, The experience these students have already had with online learning shows that some kids need more than what the current choices offer. One size does not fit all, and not every student learns in the same way and at the same speed.

In order for students to excel in the online classroom setting, every student of Provost Academy is provided a free computer, a printer/scanner and an Internet stipend so that they can stay connected and in touch with teachers and counselors who are fully dedicated to their success.

It is imperative that we equip students with the tools necessary to thrive in a technological age, said Dr. Johnson. Computers, the Internet, and even cell phones have opened up new worlds of information, and we will utilize this technology to educate our students.

As students have said:

• The computer makes is easier for me to keep track of my assignments,
• I never thought I could multi-task, but now I’m much more tech savvy and organized.

Throughout my career as an educator, I know that whatever learning model works for students is one that we need to use, Dr. Johnson said. We cannot continue to do the same thing and expect different results.

Provost Academy is currently enrolling students for the upcoming school year. Parents and students seeking more information about PASC, how to enroll, or when Community Outreach Directors will be in their area should visit the Web site: www.sc.provostacademy.com, or call: 877-919-PASC (7272) toll free.