| Q: |
Is there software I will need for my classes? |
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Most classes are Web-based, but a few like math and reading do have software which is loaded onto your computer. You will be loaned the software you need and provided tech support if needed to get it up and running. All assigned software must be returned after your course is complete. |
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| Q: |
Can I take Internet Academy courses if I am registered in another school?
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Yes. If you are a Washington State resident and are not attending school full time, you may take a portion of your courses with IA without paying tuition. For clarification please contact the Registrar at 253-945-2230 or e-mail registrar@iacademy.org. |
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| Q: |
How many courses am I able to take? |
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Five (5) courses is considered full time enrollment at IA. However, many students take less than that because they are enrolled in another school in Washington State. Students may not enroll in more than 5 classes total between their schools without paying tuition. Students who are just starting courses in the online environment often find it beneficial to begin with 2 or 3. |
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| Q: |
When can I get started? |
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Once students submit their Online Orientation assignment they will be placed in a class with an assigned teacher. Students may then begin their class. |
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| Q: |
Can I access my online classes all day every day? Even weekends? |
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Yes. Students have access 24 hours a day/7 days a week access to class materials. However, you will need to wait for a response from your teacher. |
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| Q: |
May I use my own personal e-mail account? |
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Internet Academy students and parents are assigned a FirstClass® e-mail account which they are to use for school. Students will download the application as part of the Online Orientation assignment. |
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| Q: |
Will I receive instruction on how online learning works? |
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The Online Orientation assignment teaches you about online learning. Students should do this assignment on their own. Parents also have an Online Orientation as well. When going through the Online Orientation the student and parent will learn how to do many of the different things to be a successful online learner with the Internet Academy. Teachers may also include help in their virtual office along with guidance in their welcome and other e-mails. If further assistance is needed parents should explore tutoring options. |
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| Q: |
How many hours of study will a course require? |
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Each one semester high school course earns one-half a credit and students should plan on spending 90 minutes per day per class. |
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| Q: |
What are attendance expectations? |
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Attendance is determined by work submitted. To be attending class, students must be submitting work every week. This lets the Internet Academy, parents and guardians, the school district, and the state know that students are attending school. It also helps students move at a steady pace toward completing the class in a reasonable amount of time. Students who do not meet this requirement will be withdrawn from the class. |
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| Q: |
What do I do if I plan on being gone for a short period of time for a family vacation or other reason? |
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If you will be gone more than a week, please let your teachers know IN ADVANCE. |
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| Q: |
What is considered an excused absence? |
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Absences need to be prearranged with the teacher or with the front office and they will be considered excused. |
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| Q: |
Will my teacher answer my e-mail right away? |
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Teachers receive many e-mails each day so they strive to reply to students needing help and answering questions within 24 hours during the school week while correcting and returning assignments within 7 days. |
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| Q: |
Are all assignments written in e-mail, or are there other types of projects? |
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While most assignments are written and submitted through your IA assigned FirstClass® e-mail account, many classes contain other projects and assignments which are submitted in formats other than an e-mail response (for example, charts, PowerPoint presentations, video tapes, etc.). |
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| Q: |
How often are my grades posted online? |
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Online grades are updated at least once each week. |
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| Q: |
Do I need to come into the IA facility for any reason, such as tests? |
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There are tests in some classes that need to be proctored. Students who live in the Federal Way and surrounding areas are to come into the lab. Students who live a long distance from the IA computer lab will need to arrange with their IA teacher for a proctor . |
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| Q: |
Is help available if I have computer problems or IA software problems? |
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Students are responsible for contacting the Internet Academy HelpDesk for assistance. Computer problems do not excuse the student from required work so it is very important to seek solutions for technical problems immediately. |
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| Q: |
How do I contact my teacher? |
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All correspondence must be from your assigned IA FirstClass® e-mail account. There are several ways to contact your teacher, the best being through your assigned IA FirstClass® e-mail account. All teachers also have voice mail with which you can leave messages. Check the staff list or the individual teacher's office for contact numbers. |
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| Q: |
Do my teachers have office hours so I can make an appointment or call to talk directly with them? |
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Yes. Check their virtual office for times and days. |
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| Q: |
How do I submit my assignments? |
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Assignments are submitted via your assigned IA FirstClass® e-mail account, unless you have prearranged something with your instructor. |
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| Q: |
When do I submit my assignments? |
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Students are asked to turn in each assignment as soon as it is completed. By turning in work steadily each week, you are given the feedback needed to revise work and the opportunity to collaborate with your teacher. This opportunity is lost if you choose to send in a lot of assignments at one time or wait until the end of the course to turn in the bulk of your assignments. If you have not turned in work each week, your teacher is unable to fully evaluate your learning and give you feedback in order to give you the opportunity to earn full credit. You are also not meeting attendance requirements and may be putting your enrollment at IA in jeopardy. |
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| Q: |
Can I redo work if I get a low score? |
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It will depend on the type of assignments and your teacher's policies. Most assignments can be redone to bring the work up to standard. |
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| Q: |
How do I know what assignments are due each week? |
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Each class has a syllabus and a checklist with a suggested time frame for work completion. Checklists are designed to give an 18-week pace. The best thing to do when starting a class is to take your checklist with the suggested time frame and a calendar and plan out what assignments you will be turning in each week in order to stay on the 18-week schedule. If you have less than 18 weeks to finish a class, you will need to make the necessary adjustments. |
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| Q: |
Do I do all the assignments in the class? |
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The checklist for your class will list required assignments. Your teacher may also include additional assignments that will then be listed in your online grades. |
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| Q: |
What if I don't get an assignment? Can I skip it? |
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ASK your teacher for help. Assignments that aren't done will be counted as zeros. Those will dramatically affect your final grade. |
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| Q: |
Will I receive individual assistance for my class? |
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Teachers are able to offer individual assistance when a time has been set up for the teacher and student to meet and go over areas where assistance is needed. Teachers have full class loads and have certain office hours available to all of their students. Teachers can assist students through the use of the phone, online chats, or a meeting with the teacher. On-going tutoring assistance is not provided by IA instructors. |
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| Q: |
Will my teacher be available whenever I need assistance? |
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Like the students, teachers may have a slightly different schedule each day. If students need assistance they will need to set up an appointment either by e-mail or phone to meet with their teacher. Teachers' posted office hours are listed on their virtual office. |
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| Q: |
How do I take tests for my classes? |
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How you take your tests will be dependent on the class you take. Some tests are online and some are paper and pencil. Be sure to check with your teacher on what the expectations are. |
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| Q: |
When will I need to finish the course? |
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You will want to complete your course(s) within the semester you registered. Students will need to follow the suggested checklist which sets a pacing for completing the class within an 18-week time frame. Not staying on schedule can result in the student falling behind in completing other classes for the school year. |
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| Q: |
Do I get a final grade for my class? |
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When you have finished the course or have reached the end of your time for enrollment you will get a final grade. If you have not done enough work to pass the course, an F will be recorded on your transcript as the final grade. |
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