FIND SPORTS OFFICIALS

 Q: Our school already uses a learning management system (LMS); can we put these courses on our system?

A: Our Learning courses are designed to be LMS interoperable, so they can be easily transferred or migrated to other systems.  We have worked on LMS such as Buzz, Canvas, Schoology, BrightSpace, Blackboard, Moodle, and more. For schools with no LMS, we can host the courses on our Buzz site.

Q: Is there a set schedule students have to follow?  

A: A recommended pacing guide is provided in each course. However, there is no set schedule and students can work at their own pace. A school that is using their own instructors has the option to assign due dates if they wish.

Q: How long does each course take to complete?

A: Most courses are designed for a 16-week semester (75-90 hours).  However, courses can be taken at an accelerated or flexible pace to adjust to various schedules and student needs. Credit recovery courses are designed to be completed in about 6 weeks.

Q: Is there a drop period?

A: Yes. Our courses provide an introductory grace period if students enroll and decide the course is not right for them. Contact us for more information about custom pricing and grace periods.

Q: What is the cost?

A: Pricing varies depending on the volume as well as the services a school is interested in receiving. contact us to receive a custom quote for your school.

Q: What are the technical requirements?

A:  In order to view all course elements and complete assignments, students need the following free downloadable programs:

• PDF reader
• Word-processing program

Q: Are the courses iPad, iPhone, tablet, and device accessible?

A: Yes. Our courses utilize HTML 5 and are browser and device compatible.

Q: Are we an accredited organization?

A: YES! We are accredited through the Cognia (formerly AdvancED).

Q: How can students receive credit for our Learning courses?

A:  As an accredited supplemental school, we can provide a transcript that students can transfer back to their diploma-granting school (for courses that we instruct). We can also partner with schools to just provide course content and allow the school to teach. In this case, the school would be responsible to provide credit to students.

Q: Can students earn a diploma entirely through our Learning Academy?

A: No.it is an accredited institution, but we do not grant diplomas. We offer courses in limited subjects, such as health, PE, elective and CTE courses. Credit for an official transcript can be transferred back to a student’s diploma-granting school via a requested transcript.

Q: Do courses align to state and national standards?

A: Yes! Our courses meet national academic and professional standards, as well as academic learning standards for most states.  Additionally, courses address common core standards.

Q: How much credit is each course worth?

A:  Each course is about 75-90 hours, equal to one semester credit– 0.5 Carnegie units or 0.5 credits in most states (5 units in CA).

Q: Are courses NCAA approved?

A: NCAA approval only applies to CORE courses. Health, PE, and elective courses are not considered CORE courses and do not require NCAA approval.

Q: Are there certificates that students can receive for completing career courses?

A: We provide a certificate of completion for each course, which can be beneficial as students look for related work. However, in some areas it is recommended that students seek certification from the nationally recognized certifying agencies for each area, as noted below.

• The Personal Training course was designed based on the American Council on Exercise (ACE) recommendations for personal training and can be used as a preparatory course for students to take the ACE certification exam.
• The Coaching course is based on NASPE’s National Standards for Sport Coaches, although no specific certificate is required in this field.
• The Sports Officiating course is based on professional best practices. Official certification requirements vary by state.
• The Nursing courses are preparatory to students entering an additional nursing education program or taking a CNA exam (generally some additional hands-on experience is required).

Q: Are there any textbooks or other materials required?

A:  No. Our courses are textbook free! All of the necessary content and information needed to complete a course is included in the course itself. Optional equipment may be purchased for PE courses, such as resistance equipment or fitness tracking watches.

Q: What types of tasks and assignments are required in a course?

A:  Within a course, students watch relevant content videos, engage in threaded discussion boards, 

complete meaningful assignments and journal entries and participate in tailored physical activity (for PE classes). Additionally, students have section quizzes, unit exams, and comprehensive final exams.

Q: How do the credit recovery courses work?

A:  The credit recovery courses were designed for students that have previously taken a course and failed. These courses include all of the same standards-based information. However, they are reduced-workload classes in which students learn or review the necessary information and demonstrate mastery.  The PE courses require at least 6 weeks of physical activity as well. The credit recovery courses are designed to be completed in about 6 weeks.

Q: Is there a recommended sequencing for the career courses?

A: Although courses can be taken in any order, we do have a recommended sequencing.

Q: How are the courses appropriate for a variety of learners?

A: The courses were designed using sound instructional theory. They are user friendly, easily navigable, and very consistent throughout. In addition, multimedia lessons combine text, pictures, video, and audio to greatly enhance understanding and cater to a variety of learning styles. In addition to aid from a dedicated instructor, students can review the course information as many times as they need. Printable handouts are also available for students.

Q: How does the physical activity component work in the PE courses?

A: Although physical education courses are delivered online, the physical activity required in these courses is anything but virtual! Fitness levels and activity for courses are measured with various pre- and post- fitness assessments. Students are required to keep a detailed log of their weekly fitness activities and to evaluate their progress through periodic evaluations or “Fitness Checkpoints.” Typically, students must complete at least three hours of physical activity per week, including components of cardio, strength, and flexibility training.

In addition to their weekly self-chosen activities, some of the courses include skills assignments in which students practice specific physical skills, then submit video assignments so that the instructor can provide feedback and evaluate competency.

Q: How do you verify that students are actually exercising?

A: Several cross-checks are in place to help verify student activity. Students record their physical activity and heart rate on exercise logs. The instructor communicates with the student regularly to monitor progress. Weekly personal progress reflections and fitness assessments are also used to gauge the accuracy of a student’s fitness log. In addition, the courses require at least one form of external verification. This verification may be provided by a parent, guardian, or supervising adult OR through online-syncing hardware devices, such as Polar Heart Rate Monitors or MOVband activity monitors.

Q: What equipment is required? Do students need to have access to a gym?

A: There are no additional textbooks or equipment required for students to complete the Learning courses. We do recommend that students have access to some exercise equipment when taking a PE course, although it is not required.

With each PE course students have complimentary access to Learning’s Exercise Library resource.  Within the library there are dozens of exercises to choose from that require no equipment.

Q: How do students know what exercises to perform in the PE courses?

A: Students are required to participate in a variety of exercises, including cardio, strength, and flexibility (at the high school level). However, within those requirements, students can choose their own exercises. Students looking for further options and instruction can consult the complimentary Learning Exercise Library, which provides instruction, pictures, and video of almost 300 different exercises involving weights, exercise bands, or no equipment whatsoever.

Elementary school students and parents receive access to our Learning’s Activity Library, which includes pictures, videos, and instructions for age-appropriate skills, activities, and games.

In some courses (such as group, individual, and dual sports), students may have opportunities to try a variety of activities as specified in the course and complete a corresponding skills assignment and/or report on their experience.

Q: Which physical fitness assessment do we use?

A: We use the Presidential Fitness assessment measures as a basis for the required fitness assessments within the PE courses.

Q: Can our courses accommodate students with physical limitations?

A: Because exercise programs can be tailored to meet the needs of each student, the courses are ideal for students of all fitness levels and abilities. Although any of our PE courses can be modified to meet special needs, our Adaptive PE course is designed specifically for students with physical limitations.