Frequently Asked Questions about AE21
- What is FLA/AE21?
- What does FLA/AE21 stand for?
- Who is AE21?
- Is this home school?
- I don’t get that. How do you “do school”? How do I get my work? Where do I send it?
- I want to see and talk to my teacher and classmates. Can I do that?
- What other kind of contact do I have with my teacher and classmates?
- But I want to see people in person!
- I don’t know if I’m disciplined enough to work on my own.
- I don’t have very good Internet connection. Can I do this program? Is this that satellite thing?
- What classes do you offer? Can I get a diploma?
- What does a typical day look like?
- What is ae21.desire2learn.com?
- What advantages are there to doing AE21?
- What’s this service learning thing?
- How much does this cost?
- What do I need to be able to join AE21?
"I continue to be impressed with the AE21 programs. The sense of community which they engender within my students, the ability of the format to deliver up-to-the-minute information, the transparency of the technology tools, and the units of study, which are made relevant to the lives of students, all contribute to an adventure in learning." --On-site Teacher |
What is FLA/AE21?
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It’s a way to do school. Instead of a school building, however, the teachers and students are spread out all over the United States. Big schools, small schools and some individuals “do school” using current and innovative technology. There are two programs: a full 9-12 school and a One-to-One elementary program.
What does FLA/AE21 stand for?
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AE21 stands for “Adventist Education for the 21st Century.” FLA stands for “Forest Lake Academy,” our home campus. Long names for a far-reaching program!
Who is AE21?
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AE21 is a community of teachers, students, administrators, parents and schools that have joined together to create a unique online community where integrated, standards-based, quality learning experiences happen every day. The supporting consortium includes the Southern Union of SDA, Florida Conference of SDA and Forest Lake Academy as well as the teachers and administrators of AE21, the local school campuses, local school boards and supporting conferences and unions.
Is this home school?
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While we welcome students who are “home schooled”, we do not do the classic “home school” thing. Most students go to a school campus with an area set aside for AE21, have a regular schedule of classes and continue to be involved in their community and school. The teachers and classmates just happen to connect via live video conferencing, and the instruction and assignments flow over the Internet.
I don’t get that. How do you “do school”? How do I get my work? Where do I send it?
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Jump to the typical day section and you’ll get a better picture. Course work is taught via the internet through a “course management system” (CMS) which means that the daily or weekly instructions can be accessed through a secure website. Assignments, discussions, quizzes and tests are all hosted on the CMS so that students and teachers can connect in one spot. Grades are also available on the secure site so that teachers, parents and students can keep up to date. Students can also contact teachers through Instant Messenger, phone or fax.
I want to see and talk to my teacher and classmates. Can I do that?
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Yes! That’s the beauty of this program! Using real time interactive videoconferencing, students and teachers have live, interactive discussions. That means they see each other on TV!
What other kind of contact do I have with my teacher and classmates?
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There are discussion forums on the CMS (school website). These are not chat rooms, but school based and focused forums. Off-camera, teachers and students keep in touch by email, web site, instant messaging, email and the telephone. We also have trips (see next question.)
But I want to see people in person!
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You get to do that too! In order to meet people, form community and learn about different places in our world, we have two main trips during the year. Each fall and spring, we travel to a particular place where we can meet as a school, do educational and service learning activities and have fun! We’ve taken educational tours of Boston, Seattle, Washington DC, Williamsburg, and have done service work in Orlando, Holbrook Mission, and Battle Creek MI. FLA also offers mission trips, European educational tours and a Colorado ski trip.
I don’t know if I’m disciplined enough to work on my own...
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Organization and self-discipline are important pieces to this program. However, because you still have contact with teachers and classmates, that helps to motivate. Also, local facilitators help to support class work and management issues at the local campus. We work together to help!
I don’t have very good Internet connection. Can I do this program? Is this that satellite thing?
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It’s not done by satellite, although some individual connections may be satellite.
We will work with you to find the best combination that will help you access the materials. We have experience in a variety of technology combinations. However, the minimum requirements (which are arranged for and belong to the local school) include the following (these are subject to change):
Local Technology Requirements – 2006-2007
The following items are arranged for and belong to the local school. The entire list must be in place before a site can begin the FLA-AE21 program. The local technology manager is responsible for arranging purchases and providing technical support.
- Direct phone line in classroom for quick problem resolution. Strong cell phone connection may suffice. We must be able to immediately contact the classroom by phone at any given time.
- At least 1 computer with the following minimum specifications:
- minimum Pentium4 or equivalent processor, 2.0GHz or higher
- minimum of 40 GB hard drive
- minimum of 256 MB of RAM (512MB preferred)
- USB 2.0 ports; IEEE 1394 (firewire or DV) recommended
- Microsoft Office software (must include Word, Excel and Power Point)
- CD-RW or DVD-RW/CD-RW
- 1 printer, laser recommended for cost efficiency; color optional
- flat-bed scanner
- USB web camera (30 fps)
- Plain paper fax machine
- H.239 compliant group video conferencing system or equivalent desktop software. Size of the group will determine the size of the system. Special pricing is available through our office. Manufacturers include Ploycom, Tandberg, and Sony.
- 32 inch or larger CRT, LCD, Plasma, or projector (must have VGA or S-Video connectability). Monitor size should accommodate the number of students viewing. Two monitors should be considered to accommodate people plus content.
- Digital still camera (optional - depending on teacher requirements)
- Various software-downloadable free from the Internet, such as Yahoo Instant Messenger, and Acrobat Reader. Others may also be required.
- High speed Internet connection (T1, DSL, Cable) with a minimum available guaranteed upstream bandwidth of 384k.
- Recommended: Antivirus, Antispyware, firewall software (e.g. Microsoft Windows OneCare).
Forest Lake Academy - AE21 reserves the right to adjust technology requirements to enhance the program at any time.
What classes do you offer? Can I get a diploma?
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Yes, you can get a full high school diploma from Forest Lake Academy and be part of the graduation at FLA! Students receive a “general” or “college prep” diploma, depending on the requirements they have met. Our wonderful registrar takes care of all that, so if you have individual, specific questions, you could contact her.
As far as classes go, we offer a typical slate of classes including:
- English 1-4* (includes writing, research and Literature (British, American and World)
- Bible 1-4*
- Earth Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Geography*
- World History*
- American History*
- Government*
- Economics*
- Spanish 1-2
- Algebra I, II
- Geometry
- Pre Calculus
- Graphic Design
- Art Appreciation
- Health
- Physical Education
- Computer s Applications
- Advanced Computers
- Physics
* History, English and Bible courses are integrated according to grade level. That means they are combined based on key concepts. We call it Humanities, because it’s the study of how humans have interpreted their world. Tying these classes together helps students understand the “why” as well as the “what.”
What does a typical day look like?
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Here’s what a typical day looks like:
- Come to school (very important!) Most schools have worship and announcements on site with the rest of the students. Then you’d head to the computer lab, classroom, or area to sign into the computer for the day.
- Check email (school related only please). Email is available through www.ae21.org.
- Access instructions for classes from ae21.desire2learn.com. Your individual classes will be listed on your Desire2Learn course page. From there, you’ll be able to link to the instructions from that day, but also previous days.
- Read through instructions, make notes, and chart assignments. Use your planner, Excel or the very reliable: pen and paper!
- Organize your day based on the assignments you need to do. What’s due when? How much time do you think it will take? What will you do first? What other materials do you need and how can you get them?
- Work through assignments. Teachers are available for phone calls or IM at the times posted in their syllabi. Also, check the Discussion Boards to see what the current discussion areas are.
- Go to your video conference session!! Your classes include the video conferencing segment. It’s a very important time to see your classmates and teacher. Be sure you’re there! Be sure the camera can see you. Be sure to talk!
- Check that your facilitator has received copies of completed assignments or has checked them off the list.
- Have fun learning.
- Bug someone today. It helps the time pass more quickly!
What is D2L?
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D2L (Desire2Learn) is our course management system (CMS). Assignments, grades, discussions, quizzes and tests are all posted to that site. It is a central site for all our internet work.
What advantages are there to doing AE21?
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Businesses are looking to schools to provide them with people who can problem solve, trouble shoot, work in groups and take advantage of new technologies. All these are things that AE21 provides. In addition, AE21 allows students to stay home, contribute to their communities and be active in school. This program helps people who want to continue with Adventist education, but may not have access to it any other way. Students come from many different backgrounds, and the diversity is important as well.
What’s this service learning thing?
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Service learning is integral to what AE21 does. We work to help develop the leadership skills of each student. Service learning is incorporated into the classes so that students make a positive difference in their communities. Some projects include reading to elementary school children, collecting oral histories, evaluating community needs and lobbying for changes in laws or procedures.
How much does this cost?
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Basically, there is a registration fee and tuition. Local campuses provide the equipment and a facilitator and pass that cost onto the student. Textbooks and supplies are the responsibility of the student or campus.
What do I need to be able to join AE21?
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Contact the school you currently attend to see if they are interested in forming a partnership with FLA/AE21. The information they need is available at www.ae21.org. Due to current technology requirements, home-school sites are limited. If the home school site slots are filled, ask around in your local community to see if there are others interested in AE21 so you can form a campus.
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