To encourage parental involvement and equip students with access to resources, course and assignment descriptions will be posted online for all classes. Some class activities will be supplemented with online reading discussions and students may submit work in password-secured workspaces on the Internet.

Benefits:

• Students learn valuable communications skills.
• Class resources always available.
• Parents are encouraged to
  "visit" online activities so that they can support class work at home.
• Students are able to collaborate easily on group projects.
• Active learning is increased.
• Access to instructor is improved.

Internet resources are an enhancement, not a requirement, for most courses. Only English II, Logic, and Latin II require Internet access. See course listings for details. Technical help is available for software setup and training. For English II and Latin II, a classroom computer will be available for backup access in case a student's Internet access is unreliable.

Computer Needs
To make use of Internet resources, any Internet connected computer may be used. Low-tech computers and older computers will serve well. To ensure easy access, course work and discussions conducted on the Internet will be text-based, with little or no multimedia components. If a student's Internet access is unreliable, backup access should be arranged. Community college campuses and public libraries often offer Internet access, and help is available in becoming familiar with available resources in the community.

Computer Skills Needed
Students need only minimal computer skills. Word processing knowledge and typing skills are helpful but can be acquired during the school year. Students should be aware, however, that online classes require a good bit of typing.  A pre-semester survey will be made to determine skill levels and address questions about hardware and software. During the course of the school year, students will be introduced to the basic workings of the Internet and will become familiar with telecommunications. After initial anxiety is overcome, students usually enjoy using Internet resources to complete their individual and group assignments. 

Software Needs  All needed software is free, and most software requires minimal setup. Students and parents will use browser software, preferably Netscape Navigator, to access web page course and assignment descriptions, passworded grade reports, and passworded workspaces. Navigator can be downloaded for free from the Netscape Download Center. Again using a web browser, students will log into a shared workspace called Basic Shared Cooperative Workspace (BSCW) to post assignments, participate in reading discussions, and collaborate with their classmates on group projects. For real-time contact on the Internet, students may use the AOL Instant Messenger (a simple chat for low memory computers) or Microsoft NetMeeting, which allows use of a whiteboard. NetMeeting is also free and may be downloaded from the Microsoft NetMeeting site. It does require some setup and orientation. A NetMeeting Training Guide is available at Texas A&M University.