V is for Virtual Learning
What is virtual learning?
Virtual learning can have a lot of different meanings. For the purpose of this page, I am going to focus on an online learning tool called EverFi. EverFi is a partnership between corporations and foundations that come together to bring K-12 schools and higher education institutes educational training programs. I have used three of their programs, but started with the Future Goals program. It is a partnership with the NHL to teach kids about digital learning and cybersafety. The program is set up as a series of 20 minutes lessons that the student completes at their own pace. It is sort of like a game in the sense that they have to solve problems, but there are also videos and informational pit stops. The students become certified when they achieve a certain grade on each lesson. The entire course lasts about 4-6 hours depending on the pace of the students, and there are several different classes per age group/topic. There are even classes for adults. |
What does the teacher have to do to set up EverFi?
I found out about EverFi from my school division who was promoting the use of this digital learning tool. I simply went to the website www.everfi.com and signed up for an account. The first thing I had to do was sign up for a 30 minute webinar. I was a little nervous because I had never done a webinar before and really didn't know what it involved. Turns out, a lovely lady named Jennifer telephoned me and showed me the basics of how to set up the program for my students. She was very helpful and knowledgeable. It was very easy to get started, and she has been their to support me throughout the process. One issue I had was that my older students found the Future Goals course to be too juvenile for them, so she sent me the access code for another course about alcohol consumption in teens that was much more age appropriate. I also periodically get emails from EverFi and Jennifer to see how things are going, if I need anything, or if we are having any problems. I informed Jennifer when my students found a glitch in one of the programs, and she responded immediately. The problem was fixed and the students could move on. Once the program is actually set up and your students are registered, it is just a matter of getting them to sign in to the website and start the module. It was very easy! When the kids are actually doing the program, I walk around periodically to see what they are working on, but they are all engaged so I catch up on my emails or planning for other classes. I have my teacher account open so that I can see which module everyone is on and how they are progressing. When the students finish a course, they get a certificate and you can either have them start a new program or do something else on the computer.
I found out about EverFi from my school division who was promoting the use of this digital learning tool. I simply went to the website www.everfi.com and signed up for an account. The first thing I had to do was sign up for a 30 minute webinar. I was a little nervous because I had never done a webinar before and really didn't know what it involved. Turns out, a lovely lady named Jennifer telephoned me and showed me the basics of how to set up the program for my students. She was very helpful and knowledgeable. It was very easy to get started, and she has been their to support me throughout the process. One issue I had was that my older students found the Future Goals course to be too juvenile for them, so she sent me the access code for another course about alcohol consumption in teens that was much more age appropriate. I also periodically get emails from EverFi and Jennifer to see how things are going, if I need anything, or if we are having any problems. I informed Jennifer when my students found a glitch in one of the programs, and she responded immediately. The problem was fixed and the students could move on. Once the program is actually set up and your students are registered, it is just a matter of getting them to sign in to the website and start the module. It was very easy! When the kids are actually doing the program, I walk around periodically to see what they are working on, but they are all engaged so I catch up on my emails or planning for other classes. I have my teacher account open so that I can see which module everyone is on and how they are progressing. When the students finish a course, they get a certificate and you can either have them start a new program or do something else on the computer.
It is probably easier for you to set up an account and check out the courses on your own! Go to https://platform.everfi.net/registration/login to sign up. It is definitely worth the 1 hour it would take you to set up the program, and the kids are very engaged because it is more of a "gaming" environment that they are comfortable with and find stimulating. It is a great way to cover some of the science, technology, math, and even health curriculum in a different format.