Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About AVS

  1. What is Abbotsford Virtual School (AVS)?
  2. What is Distributed Learning?
  3. Who can take Abbotsford Virtual School courses?
  4. Are there any costs?
  5. Can International students take courses through AVS?
  6. Can Adult students take FREE courses through AVS?
  7. Can I just take one course through Abbotsford Virtual School and still be registered in another school?
  8. Can a student use AVS courses to Graduate or earn a Dogwood Diploma?
  9. How do I register?
  10. What are the benefits of enrolling in an AVS course?
  11. What is a PEN?
  12. What are the different styles of courses AVS offers?
  13. Are AVS courses easier than the courses in regular high school?
  14. What are the minimum technical requirements if I need on my computer?
  15. What about students with special needs?
  16. How Many Hours A Week Should I Expect To Spend On The Course?
  17. Do I Have To attend regularly?
  18. Do I have to be online at specific times?
  19. When can I start?
  20. How do I find out Graduation Requirements?
  21. How are parents involved?
  22. How do I know if learning at AVS is right for me?
  23. Do I need specific hardware or software?

Answers

  1. What is Abbotsford Virtual School (AVS)?
    2. Abbotsford Virtual School is a Distributed Learning school that provides collaborative educational programs for Kindergarten to Grade 12 students or Adults. We provide free courses to any BC resident wanting to upgrade or graduate. Our BC certified teachers actively support each student in the development of an educational plan, providing resources, regular tutoring and on-going assessment. All programs are fully accredited by the Ministry of Education of B.C. We are located at 33952 Pine Street, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 2P3 Phone: (604) 859-9803 Fax: (604) 854-1463.
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  2. What is Distributed Learning?
    3. Distributed Learning is a method of instruction that relies primarily on communication at a distance between students and teachers, including internet or other electronic-based delivery, teleconferencing, or correspondence. (see Ministry of Education Policy). Students do not attend formal classes!
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  3. Who can take Abbotsford Virtual School courses?
    4. We provide full programs to registered K to 9 students at AVS. We provide free courses to Grade 10 to 12 students regardless of what other school they may be enrolled in and we provide free courses for Adults!
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  4. Are there any costs?
    5. No. All courses are FREE for British Columbia students who are resident in British Columbia or temporarily traveling out of the province. International students can take courses but are subject to a course fee. For some courses we require a $100 refundable textbook deposit.
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  5. Can International students take courses through AVS?
    6. Yes, but there is a course fee. Please call us at 604-859-9803 for more details.
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  6. Can Adult students take FREE courses through AVS?
    Yes! Courses are FREE for Adult students except for International students. Please call us at 604-859-9803 for more details. Back to top
  7. Can I just take one course through Abbotsford Virtual School and still be registered in another school?
    8. Yes, if you are in Grade 10 to 12 OR an Adult student.
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  8. Can a student use AVS courses to Graduate or earn a Dogwood Diploma?
    9. Yes. We can help students earn a regular Dogwood or an Adult Dogwood. All of our courses are fully accredited with the Ministry of Education.
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  9. How do I register?
    10. For Grade 10-12 ONLINE courses you must register through our online registration form (see Registration Information in the side menu for further details). For all of our other programs, parents and students should call us at (604) 859-9803 and set up a time to meet with with us on-site.
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  10. What are the benefits of enrolling in an AVS course?
    11. Our friendly staff are well-trained to work with students to develop a learning plan suited to your needs! We provide many course styles and structures.
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  11. What is a PEN?
    12. PEN is short for Provincial Education Number. This number is provided to each student in British Columbia and is used to identify your student records with the Ministry of Education.
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  12. What are the different styles of courses AVS offers?

    • Online courses - these are semester-based, class/teacher paced with online lessons and delivery. Teachers communicate with students and parents through email, messaging, phone, Elluminate, etc.
    • Paper-based courses - paper-based courses, like a correspondence course, are self-paced BUT students have direct tutoring and teacher support here at AVS through face-to-face, phone, email etc.
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  13. Are AVS courses easier than the courses in regular high school?
    14. All AVS courses must meet the same Ministry of Education curriculum expectations as regular schools. You should expect the same time commitment as students in regular schools. Teachers follow the same curriculum and assessment practices. There is more flexibility in how you can take AVS courses and we may have some courses that students cannot get in their home school.
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  14. What are the minimum technical requirements if I need on my computer?

    • PC Users - Windows 2000 or better (Windows XP or Vista preferred). Computers should have at least 1GB of RAM and 30 GB of hard drive space. PCs require  a sound card.
    • Mac Users – Mac OSX 10.2 or better (MacOS 10.5 preferred). Computers should have at least 1GB of RAM and 30 GB of hard drive space.
    • High speed Internet connection is very useful for videos and live meetings (Elluminate). 
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  15. What about students with special needs?
    16. Abbotsford Virtual School welcomes all students and provides individual programs and supports as provided by the B.C. Ministry of Education. Please call us at 604-859-9803 for more details.
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  16. How Many Hours A Week Should I Expect To Spend On The Course?
    17. The actual amount will vary depending upon the course, and will be equivalent to the time you would spend in a face-to-face course plus additional time for studying and homework. However, not all of this time will be online. Your time will be spread between course reading, assignments, and discussion board participation. Your teacher will provide you with specific expectations of daily or weekly assignments that you must complete.
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  17. Do I Have To attend regularly?
    18. Yes, but your attendance is different with AVS. Your attendance is evidenced by your regular contributions to online discussions or email reflections to your teacher and regular logging into our Learning Management System. Or, in the case of paper-based courses, regularly tuirning in work and writing module tests.
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  18. Do I have to be online at specific times?
    19. This depends on your course style you choose and the requirements for the course. In our online classes, for example, teachers may hold online meetings but many self-paced courses do not have online meeting expectations.
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  19. When can I start?
    20. Most online courses start at the beginning of each semester (Early September for Semester 1 and early February for Semester 2). We may be able to accept late entries. Self-paced courses may be started at any time. Course results are sent to students upon completion of a course in a Report Card. Regular progress reports are also issued for online teacher directed courses. Secondary courses are about 110 to 120 hours.
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  20. How do I find out Graduation Requirements?
    21. A complete package of grade and graduation requirements are outlined at our Graduation Info page.
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  21. How are parents involved?
    22. Students taking secondary school courses usually work independently on their courses in consultation with their teacher. However, home educated children in Kindergarten to Grade 9 often depend upon their parent(s) to structure day-to-day learning. Parents or guardians are expected to provide an email contact and should expect emails from teachers to inform them about how the student is progressing. Parents and guardians can assist students by monitoring time and work completed. Parental help may not be possible in some courses and may not be require but parents play huge role in helping their child be successful. Note that parental and student emails are only used for school purposes.
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  22. How do I know if learning at AVS is right for me?
    Distributed learning is not for everyone. Courses require the same amount of work as traditional classes and meet the same course objectives. Some students may actually spend additional time working on a courses taken online because of the amount of reading required to complete assignments. It also takes more self-discipline and dedication to succeed in an online learning environment due to the absence of face-to-face interaction and mandatory physical attendance associated with classroom-based courses. Just like a traditional class, you have to be on top of your studies. You still have to read the textbook and/or other class reading materials; you still have to follow notes, hand in writing assignments on time, and do well on any quizzes or exams you may need to take. In short, virtual learning requires different attitudes, self-motivation, ability to set goals, a degree of experimentation/risk-taking, and time management skills. If you possess these skills, you will do well in a online class.

    Students Typically Suited To Online Learning

    • They are self-motivated to learn and succeed.
    • They are conscientious as the virtual environment put additional responsibility for learning on the shoulders of the student.
    • They are happy not dominating class time. A virtual classroom is more democratic than a traditional classroom. The student who dominates a class from the front row is less happy here.
    • They are students who enjoy learning, who like to figure things out, and who enjoy independence and reading.
    • They need not be a star student. Someone who learns at a slower-than-average pace can also succeed in virtual classes.
    • They are students who need scheduling flexibility so they can complete their work at times convenient for them.

    Students Typically Not Suited To Online Learning

    • The student who doesn't like school for reasons that have to do with learning.
    • The student who procrastinates will have difficulty meeting deadlines.
    • The student who has a severe disability that hinders reading, for example.
    • The student who is placed in an online classroom without wanting to be there will probably fail. In a online classroom, the student has to engage and have initiative.
    • The student who take a full class load at a traditional school and participates in lots of extra-curricular activities may think a online class is an easy way to pick up extra credits. This is not the case.
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  23. Do I need specific hardware or software?
    24. You need a headset for online courses for Elluminate meetings. Elluminate is an internet-based software that allows participants to hold online meetings. Audio, video and whiteboard sharing makes it possible for a teacher and students to work in "real time" to solve problems and discuss course material. Check it out at http://www.elluminate.com.  
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