Frequently Asked Questions
As a new OCVS student, you may have questions or need reminders, so I have created a collection of frequently asked questions to give you a resource to refer to for quick information! Make sure to bookmark this page for easy access when needed.
What is a DBA? How do I complete a DBA?
A Discussion Based Assessment, or DBA, is done by scheduling a phone appointment with me through my Flash Appointments link ("Schedule an Appointment" on the course announcement page) or by attending an online DBA Session in Safari Montage Live. During the DBA, you will explain to me in detail what you learned in the module/unit. PLAN AHEAD when you have a DBA approaching to ensure that you get it completed when due! For more info, review this link.
It is also important to know what course you are in! When we complete a DBA, you are asked for your course name and which module/unit you are currently finishing.
A Discussion Based Assessment, or DBA, is done by scheduling a phone appointment with me through my Flash Appointments link ("Schedule an Appointment" on the course announcement page) or by attending an online DBA Session in Safari Montage Live. During the DBA, you will explain to me in detail what you learned in the module/unit. PLAN AHEAD when you have a DBA approaching to ensure that you get it completed when due! For more info, review this link.
It is also important to know what course you are in! When we complete a DBA, you are asked for your course name and which module/unit you are currently finishing.
What do I submit for the DBA?
U.S. History - Submit a completed 411 file (located on Page 2 of DBA lesson) Need help? Review this link
All other courses - Date/time of completed DBA & your comprehension rating
I will review this information with you when we complete a DBA. You will submit the DBA assignment immediately after we complete a DBA.
U.S. History - Submit a completed 411 file (located on Page 2 of DBA lesson) Need help? Review this link
All other courses - Date/time of completed DBA & your comprehension rating
I will review this information with you when we complete a DBA. You will submit the DBA assignment immediately after we complete a DBA.
What is a Collaboration Project?
If you are in World History, Civics, or U.S. History, you have a Collaboration Project to complete each segment. To complete the project, refer to the Collaboration Project link on your course announcement page.
If you are in World History, Civics, or U.S. History, you have a Collaboration Project to complete each segment. To complete the project, refer to the Collaboration Project link on your course announcement page.
When is the Collaboration Project due?
This project must be done before you can take the Segment Exam, so plan accordingly! I recommend that you complete it sooner than later.
This project must be done before you can take the Segment Exam, so plan accordingly! I recommend that you complete it sooner than later.
How do I get the password for the Module Exam / Unit Exam?
My courses do not have passwords for these exams. Once the module/unit coursework and DBA are completed, you will study your notes, then access and complete the exam before moving onto the next module/unit.
*Please note: The Segment/Final Exam does have a password, which I will give to you once all work in the segment is completed.
My courses do not have passwords for these exams. Once the module/unit coursework and DBA are completed, you will study your notes, then access and complete the exam before moving onto the next module/unit.
*Please note: The Segment/Final Exam does have a password, which I will give to you once all work in the segment is completed.
If I am ahead of pace, do I have to submit work every week?
Yes, weekly work is a requirement. At least one assessment needs to be completed each week if ahead of pace.
Yes, weekly work is a requirement. At least one assessment needs to be completed each week if ahead of pace.
Can you reset my Module Exam / Unit Exam so I can get a higher grade?
If you complete a Module Exam / Unit Exam and receive a failing grade on your first attempt, I can reset it by request. A failing grade is a 59 or below. If you get a 59 or higher on the exam, it cannot be retaken.
Remember to make sure to study your notes before taking an exam! If you do fail an exam on the first attempt and want to review it with me before retaking it, let me know and we can schedule time to do so.
If you complete a Module Exam / Unit Exam and receive a failing grade on your first attempt, I can reset it by request. A failing grade is a 59 or below. If you get a 59 or higher on the exam, it cannot be retaken.
Remember to make sure to study your notes before taking an exam! If you do fail an exam on the first attempt and want to review it with me before retaking it, let me know and we can schedule time to do so.
Can you reset my pre-test?
In World History and U.S. History, a pre-test or pre-assessment is to assess your prior knowledge at the start of a module. You are not expected to get a high grade on this assessment and it cannot be retaken. It only counts as a fraction of a point towards your overall grade, which does not affect your grade much at all. Do not worry about the grade your receive, but make sure to complete it at the start of a module!
In World History and U.S. History, a pre-test or pre-assessment is to assess your prior knowledge at the start of a module. You are not expected to get a high grade on this assessment and it cannot be retaken. It only counts as a fraction of a point towards your overall grade, which does not affect your grade much at all. Do not worry about the grade your receive, but make sure to complete it at the start of a module!
How do I post to the Discussion Group?
The U.S. History course requires you to post/reply to the Discussion Group for two assignments (2.01 & 5.03). For directions on how to post & reply to other posts in the Discussion Group, review this link.
The U.S. History course requires you to post/reply to the Discussion Group for two assignments (2.01 & 5.03). For directions on how to post & reply to other posts in the Discussion Group, review this link.
Can I copy work from the internet in my assignment?
No, you must complete all work in your own words. You should have enough information in the lesson to complete all assessments in the course. If you need to use the internet to extend your learning, that is fine, but you cannot copy & paste any information and submit it as your own work. As a middle school student, you should not need to include information from outside sources and cite your sources - this is something that you will learn more how to do and may be required to do in high school courses. Academic Integrity violations come with consequences, so it is important to know how to avoid plagiarism. If you are not familiar with this information, review this link.
No, you must complete all work in your own words. You should have enough information in the lesson to complete all assessments in the course. If you need to use the internet to extend your learning, that is fine, but you cannot copy & paste any information and submit it as your own work. As a middle school student, you should not need to include information from outside sources and cite your sources - this is something that you will learn more how to do and may be required to do in high school courses. Academic Integrity violations come with consequences, so it is important to know how to avoid plagiarism. If you are not familiar with this information, review this link.
What is a Student Work Day?
Student Work Days are face to face events in which students can join teachers on campus (located at 1600 Silver Star Rd, Orlando) for activities, lessons, and to complete independent work. Your teachers post when the offered Student Work Days are held, and all full-time OCVS & Home Ed students are invited. The work day is 9am-3pm and lunch is provided for $3.00, or you can bring your own lunch. Students should bring a laptop (or one will be provided to them), course binder or notebook, pace chart, and pen/pencil.
There are Mandatory Student Work Days for students who are behind pace in their courses. Students who are behind pace will be required to attend this day in order to get caught up. Notification to attend will be sent to the student & parent/guardian by Guidance and/or the teacher. If a student does not attend this day and does not get caught up to be on pace by the end of that week, he/she may be withdrawn from the course.
Student Work Days are face to face events in which students can join teachers on campus (located at 1600 Silver Star Rd, Orlando) for activities, lessons, and to complete independent work. Your teachers post when the offered Student Work Days are held, and all full-time OCVS & Home Ed students are invited. The work day is 9am-3pm and lunch is provided for $3.00, or you can bring your own lunch. Students should bring a laptop (or one will be provided to them), course binder or notebook, pace chart, and pen/pencil.
There are Mandatory Student Work Days for students who are behind pace in their courses. Students who are behind pace will be required to attend this day in order to get caught up. Notification to attend will be sent to the student & parent/guardian by Guidance and/or the teacher. If a student does not attend this day and does not get caught up to be on pace by the end of that week, he/she may be withdrawn from the course.
I am going on vacation. Can I not submit work for a week while I am gone?
Although holiday weeks based on the OCPS schedule are built into your course schedule, you are allowed to take a vacation week during non-holiday break weeks. However, you must complete all work due that week BEFORE you leave for your vacation. You must work ahead so you do not fall behind!
Although holiday weeks based on the OCPS schedule are built into your course schedule, you are allowed to take a vacation week during non-holiday break weeks. However, you must complete all work due that week BEFORE you leave for your vacation. You must work ahead so you do not fall behind!
Do I have to do the Advanced assignments?
Students enrolled as 'Advanced' complete ALL assessments AND Advanced assignments (but only take the Advanced Segment Exam). If you are not an Advanced student, you just complete all regular assessments. All students get the same pace chart and the course itself is the same for all students. If you are not Advanced, you will not see Advanced assignments listed under your Assessments area in the course.
Students enrolled as 'Advanced' complete ALL assessments AND Advanced assignments (but only take the Advanced Segment Exam). If you are not an Advanced student, you just complete all regular assessments. All students get the same pace chart and the course itself is the same for all students. If you are not Advanced, you will not see Advanced assignments listed under your Assessments area in the course.
Can I submit an exam without completing the Essay questions?
No, you must complete the Essay questions in order to get a good grade on an exam. Essay responses should be written in complete, detailed sentences and in paragraph form. Pay attention to the directions and the prompt to ensure that you are meeting requirements and responding to all parts of the Essay question. Responses less than paragraph length or containing incomplete sentences and/or grammar errors will not be given full credit.
No, you must complete the Essay questions in order to get a good grade on an exam. Essay responses should be written in complete, detailed sentences and in paragraph form. Pay attention to the directions and the prompt to ensure that you are meeting requirements and responding to all parts of the Essay question. Responses less than paragraph length or containing incomplete sentences and/or grammar errors will not be given full credit.
Can I email you my assignment?
All work must be submitted under 'Assessments' and work being resubmitted must be done through 'Gradebook'. I cannot grade any work that is emailed to me. If you are having issues uploading a file or you are getting an error message that your file size is too big, you will need to contact the Help Desk for assistance on how to submit it. Their phone number is 1-800-374-1430, option 2.
All work must be submitted under 'Assessments' and work being resubmitted must be done through 'Gradebook'. I cannot grade any work that is emailed to me. If you are having issues uploading a file or you are getting an error message that your file size is too big, you will need to contact the Help Desk for assistance on how to submit it. Their phone number is 1-800-374-1430, option 2.
Where do I email you?
The best place to send me an email is in the course. There is an envelope icon in your course navigation bar. When sending me an email, remember to use proper format - greeting, email content containing your course name and detailed wording, and a closing including your full name.
Important: Remember to check your email inboxes on a daily basis for important communication with teachers! When you first log into vsa.flvs.net, you have an email inbox located there (your VSA Dashboard) and once you enter the course you have an email inbox located there as well (your course is located in Educator).
The best place to send me an email is in the course. There is an envelope icon in your course navigation bar. When sending me an email, remember to use proper format - greeting, email content containing your course name and detailed wording, and a closing including your full name.
Important: Remember to check your email inboxes on a daily basis for important communication with teachers! When you first log into vsa.flvs.net, you have an email inbox located there (your VSA Dashboard) and once you enter the course you have an email inbox located there as well (your course is located in Educator).
Am I on pace?
You can check to make sure that you are on pace by looking at your pace chart and ensuring that all assessments are completed through the due date of the current or previous week. You should have your course pace chart printed out and should check off assessments as you complete them. Double check that you have completed these assessments by looking at your Gradebook.
You can check to make sure that you are on pace by looking at your pace chart and ensuring that all assessments are completed through the due date of the current or previous week. You should have your course pace chart printed out and should check off assessments as you complete them. Double check that you have completed these assessments by looking at your Gradebook.
I got locked out of an exam. What do I do?
If you are locked out of an exam, you need to contact me to unlock it for you. The best way to do this is to text me with your full name, course, and the exam title (example: 1.08 Module Exam). Once unlocked, you can access it again.
Important: Make sure that when you access an exam, you are ready to complete it. You cannot walk away from your computer, open other internet windows, or look back in the lessons while completing an exam. Make sure to study first!
If you are locked out of an exam, you need to contact me to unlock it for you. The best way to do this is to text me with your full name, course, and the exam title (example: 1.08 Module Exam). Once unlocked, you can access it again.
Important: Make sure that when you access an exam, you are ready to complete it. You cannot walk away from your computer, open other internet windows, or look back in the lessons while completing an exam. Make sure to study first!
When do I need to have the segment completed?
Your targeted end date is listed on your course pace chart. World History, Civics, and U.S. History will complete the segment in 16 weeks. Career Research students will complete the entire course in 16 weeks*. Critical Thinking students will complete the course in 8 weeks*. You can work ahead to complete the segment/course sooner than your end date.
*Career Research & Critical Thinking are one segment courses.
Your targeted end date is listed on your course pace chart. World History, Civics, and U.S. History will complete the segment in 16 weeks. Career Research students will complete the entire course in 16 weeks*. Critical Thinking students will complete the course in 8 weeks*. You can work ahead to complete the segment/course sooner than your end date.
*Career Research & Critical Thinking are one segment courses.
Is there extra credit?
No, there is no particular extra credit assignments. However, you may have opportunities to earn extra assignment grades, such as completing a Collaboration project. Remember, you start off the course with a 100% by submitting the online orientation badge. You have three opportunities to submit assignments correctly and take quizzes. To review tips for success in the online learning environment, review this link.
No, there is no particular extra credit assignments. However, you may have opportunities to earn extra assignment grades, such as completing a Collaboration project. Remember, you start off the course with a 100% by submitting the online orientation badge. You have three opportunities to submit assignments correctly and take quizzes. To review tips for success in the online learning environment, review this link.