Learning begins with a ‘conversation’ between the teacher and the student. Introductions are made and lessons begin. Lesson plans are sent to each student to their personal
e-mail accounts.
Students may negotiate the plans with the teacher. Once agreed, students begin to work both online and off-line. This is a "multimedia" approach to learning. It means using traditional media (textbooks, workbooks) as well as new ones.
The best mix of delivery is important to us. Not all the work will be at the computer. We do not intend to take students out of one "box" and put them into another. The Internet is used for collaborative functions. Talking to staff and other students will be by e-mail, Internet phone and other technologies. Research may take the student out into their community.
Students will be empowered over when they work, as long as they meet their deadlines and connect for meetings on the net. Virtual classrooms are used for group studies.
Studies that require immediate feedback use live chat and Internet phone.
Scientific packages like lab equipment, microscopes, slides, specimens and so on are sent out in kit form prior to the commencement of studies. For school based programs, internal items may be used.
Language teachers also record certain lessons for off-line studies.
Evaluations are continuous. Students and parents can easily follow student progress. There are traditional tests and exams.
All electronic communications are forwarded to our servers. Here, staff monitors review and flag them for support functions. Monitors use a traffic light metaphor. Most ‘conversations’ will be green as learning progresses. A yellow light requires intervention (for example if a student is frustrated). A red light means a serious issue and immediate intervention is required.
Support systems integrate school system programs and our own social worker staff. Support readily available to the student.
Our pilot students universally reported that the most important aspect of this form of learning is how “personal” it felt. Even though they knew that there were other students, they felt that the teacher was speaking to them alone. It empowered them to dig deeper into their studies and to raise their outcomes.
We learned that students are not afraid to ask questions due the individual channels of communication.
Personalization is created by the contacts in personal e-mail. Negotiation creates a personalized education pathway that is faithful to curricular requirements.
While we use the open Internet, this system is monitored for safety and personal needs of students.
Monitoring & Support
Monitoring
All communications are forwarded to our servers. This creates the ‘reflection’ from which our monitoring system works.
Our live monitoring staff review flag each communication based on a stoplight metaphor. Most communications reflected to us are green or normal information.
Yellow requires an intervention of support that needs to be in place within 48 hours.
Red is a serious issue that requires immediate intervention.
Teachers are required to initiate yellow intervention calls. Support staff initiate red calls in consultation with the teachers. Local requirements can be added to the metaphor.
Support
Our support staff has two levels. First, are our social workers, who are certified specialists.
The second level is our Senior Staff Psychiatrist, Dr. T.M. Abraham, M.D., F.R.C.P.
Dr. Abraham is a psychiatrist, educator, and community activist. He is active in his global volunteer work.
Our support system will advise and react to yellow and red calls. Aggregated advice is also offered to improve program delivery.
Local officials may contact support staff directly if required.
Staffing and Curricula
Teachers and Curricula are locally based. We can add our own staff to enhance a program.
Our remote teachers work through a school’s computer lab that is connected to the internet.
With this extra layer of teaching available, large classes can be divided with some students taking remote studies while others work in a more intimate classroom.
For more information please contact us. 716.240.1918 or info@charismagics.com
