IU High School Offers Online Learning Resources
(photo courtesy of IU High School)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndiana University High School in Bloomington is sharing its curriculum with schools across the state to help them transition to virtual teaching and learning amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Principal Rebecca Itow says the school, which offers a wide range of courses for online instruction, is working with the Indiana Department of Education to make the resources available.
“Part of IU’s mission is to offer educational opportunities to the community and to improve the world through our resources and educational effectiveness,” said Itow. “Our high school is run by IU, and we have a particular responsibility to be responsible citizens and neighbors, and share the resources we have in this difficult time. It’s the right thing to do.”
The school says it is sharing assignments, activities, lessons and related quizzes, with the intent to allow other administrators the flexibility to choose what is needed. The school says is not sharing its mid-term or final exams to avoid unfair student assessment because of differing coursework and teaching concepts.
Itow says it is offering core subject courses such as English, history, mathematics, and science as well as electives like health and wellness, food and nutrition, and two-dimensional art.
At a Texas convention in February, Itow says she heard the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise that schools should prepare to close soon. Itow says she then contacted Mike Beam, IU’s assistant vice president for university academic affairs and senior assistant vice provost for undergraduate education, and suggested that IU High School share its curriculum with other state schools.
“We recognize how difficult it is to develop online courses,” said Beam.
Beam reached out to the Indiana Department of Education, and Itow contacted the Indiana Association of High School Principals which both expressed support.
According to Adam Baker with the Indiana Department of Education, the state plans to release a guidance document this week which will include “turnkey” courses and IU High School’s information.