1. Who is eligible to take Online Health and Physical Education (HPE) Level I and II?
All rising ninth grade students are eligible to take online HPE Level I and rising tenth grade students are eligible to take online HPE Level II, as well as any students who need to complete one of the courses for credit recovery.
2. Is there a set schedule of meetings?
There will be a mandatory face-to-face orientation for all online users. This event is scheduled to take place at the Renaissance Academy on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 6:00 p.m.
There are three mandatory face-to-face meetings required of all Online Health and Physical Education students. You are required to bring your heart rate monitor with you to every meeting. The schedule of face-to-face meetings is provided below:
1st download Tuesday, July 5th Times & Locations To Be Announced
2nd download Tuesday, July 19th Times & Locations To Be Announced (Data Download & Virginia Driver’s Education Exam for H & PE Level II)
3rd download Tuesday, August 9th Times& Locations To Be Announced
(Final data download and equipment return)
3. Is it possible to take online HPE if the student is traveling as long as they have Internet access? What happens if a student is absent from a face-to-face meeting?
Even though students have the ability to participate in their online classes while on the road, our experience has shown that online students who plan to be away during parts of the course sometimes have difficulty successfully completing their work by their required due dates. Even if the intent is to continue working in the course while away, unexpected technical issues or changing motivation can affect the likelihood of success. Virtual Virginia Beach e-Learning courses are not structured so that the student can “work ahead” before extended absences or “catch up” after returning. All our online courses have weekly deadlines to be met and interactions among coursemates each week. While our teachers are expert at cooperating with families to work around unexpected scheduling issues, they are not required to structure individual course calendars to accommodate vacations and extended student commitments.
Since this is an online course, students who have reliable access to an adequate computer and a high-speed internet connection should be able to travel while taking the course. However, students are expected to attend face-to-face meetings despite their travel plans. It is acceptable to miss one face-to-face data download meeting if the student will contact their teacher prior to their travel. During this contact, they must make the instructor aware of their impending absence and provide a written excuse from the parent or guardian. Students are responsible for making arrangements to meet with the teacher upon their return, at the teacher's convenience.
***Students may only miss one face-to-face data download meeting, which will need to be made-up at the discretion of the teacher.***
4. What are the overall anticipated hours of the course?
The overall anticipated hours of the course are 140 hours.
5. What types of activities qualify for the physical education portion of the class? Will the student be responsible for purchasing a heart rate monitor?
The activities selected for the Physical Education element of the online course will vary from student to student. Each teacher will provide a list of recommended physical activities. During the course orientation students will learn what is required.
Each student will be issued a heart rate monitor and other required materials at their first face-to-face meeting as arranged by the VVBe instructor. There is no charge for this equipment unless it is lost or damaged.
6. Are students required to maintain an activity log in addition to wearing the heart rate monitor? If so, does an authority figure (recreation center, coach, parent, etc.) have to sign off on it?
Yes, students will be required to maintain an electronic personal fitness log that they will learn about at the mandatory face-to- face meeting. The log will be used to identify and track activities. The proof of student’s participation will be stored in the heart rate monitor and downloaded at each face-to-face meeting. A sign off by an authority figure is not required.
7. Are the heart rate monitors waterproof? Several of the potential students are swimmers.
Yes, the monitor, strap, and transmitter are all waterproof, but once submerged, the buttons on the receiver watch must not be pressed while the student is out of the water. Monitors cannot be used in salt water. This includes the ocean and some backyard swimming pools. Chlorine-treated swimming pools are acceptable. The strap must be snuggly secured across the chest in order to maintain contact with the skin while swimming.
No, transportation will be the responsibility of the parent.
9. How many hours of physical education are required? Is this time incorporated into the overall anticipated hours of the course?
Students will be required to participate in an activity of their choice for a minimum of five (5) hours per week; approximately one (1) hour per day. Yes, the physical education time will be incorporated in the total overall hours of the course.
10. How will the students’ grade be determined?
The same grading guidelines will be followed whether the student is taking a Health and PE course online or face-to-face at a school. Completion and demonstration of content attainment of the online health component and successful participation in the individualized physical education portion of the class will each count 50 percent of the overall grade. Students will also be taking a mid-term and final examination.
If you have any other question about online learning, please call 757.648.6140 or email VVB@vbschools.com.
