21CCCS-Badge Asset 1Asset 1award-white-363967burgerbusinessman-363978 contact-391520enroll-391607facebookgraph-white-364014instagram lightbulb-white-364033linkedinopenhouse-417799parents-364057pencil-paper-417822pinterestsnapchat staff-417811twitter
Skip to content

21CCCS – APPLE DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL (2022-2025)

Category: Article

Beating Test Anxiety

Posted on by Ben Ozgur

I’ll be the first to admit that I had severe test anxiety when I was in middle and high school. For many, the things I might describe are unfathomable– maybe crazy sounding. But, here are some of the things I used to experience:

In spite of hours of preparation, as the night before a test approached, my nerves started to jitter. I was nervous about performing well on the test, which is the most common fear for anxious testers. I would feel my heart pounding, and my fingers and arms shaky. I would think about the items I’d memorized for the test, reciting and writing them down, checking that I had remembered every last thing. Sleeping the night before a test was never an option. The adrenaline would pump through me just enough to get me through a sleepless night and to the test, after which I would crash, feeling exhausted and drained. Oh, and did I mention that these feelings were often shared for quizzes, too?

My mother tried, to no avail, to help me with my anxiety. She would remind me that I was over-prepared. That I knew the material. That my grades would be great. And if they weren’t it wasn’t the end of the world. But the sweaty palms, jittery body, nausea, and inability to eat beforehand were overwhelming– to say the least. When I finally got to the test, I would freeze. It would take a few minutes before I could feel ready to collect my thoughts start the test. I didn’t think there was a solution. And, I thought I was alone in my anxiety. I thought I was just plain crazy.

So, what has changed since the days when I was a kid? Well, for starters, there is perhaps more emphasis placed on testing. Kids are tested constantly, especially through state standardized testing. While offering more tests more frequently might help to diffuse student anxiety (because they are conditioned to take more tests more often) there may be some students who experience a compounding effect on their anxiety. But, more importantly, offering more tests means we have become more aware of test anxiety as an issue. This means that parents are getting better advise to help their children.

Among the suggestions are the following:

  1. Encourage students to get plenty of sleep before the test
  2. Ask students to draft about their fears or concerns on paper
  3. Have students present the information they know. If they can teach the concept, they know the concept
  4. Provide an ample breakfast the morning of the test
  5. Encourage students to limit their distractions during the test (This might mean avoiding clothing or jewelry that a child may play with during the test. I am am earring twirler– so I never test with earrings in!)
  6. Provide encouragement and feedback after the test. Share in students’ piece of mind after the test is over

Do you have tips of your own? Comment on our Facebook page! We’d love to know what you do to avoid or suppress test anxiety!

Webcam Hackers?

Posted on by Ben Ozgur

For those who caught Jeff Rossen’s morning segment last Friday on The Today Show, webcams were examined and scrutinized. The shocked faces of parents realizing their webcams could be easily hacked spoke volumes. Hackers are capable of much more than nabbing your credit card and bank account numbers. They can also use your webcam to see what you’re doing. What’s worse is the fact that many times, users walk away from their computers for a period of time, and that idle computer is still susceptible to hacking.

http://youtu.be/D8zkGPfXJXk

This issue was first brought to the media about two years ago when a school district in Pennsylvania was brought up on charges for illegally accessing student webcams. While it seems the issue itself has not yet been resolved (since individuals are still able to hack into your webcam), it is critical to note how 21st Century Cyber Charter School has dealt with the issue.

Each student-issued laptop from out school is sent to students with the webcam feature disabled as a default setting. Should a student choose to utilize the function, he/she can do so by accessing the iSight toggle. Setting options will be available there to turn the webcam on or off. Students can actively turn this function on or off as they so choose. Classes do not always require students to use the iSight function. It is often an option offered to complete particular assignments.

We encourage students to be in-the-know about these things. If you have questions about your webcam and how to use it, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

 

We Made AYP! But, What Does That Mean?

Posted on by Ben Ozgur

Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP, is a measure of a school’s yearly scores, received by their students for state standardized tests. It was enacted as a part of No Child Left Behind Act, first instituted under George W. Bush’s administration in 2001. The act allows state to set individual standards. Pennsylvania has been regarded as a high roller in this regard, due to the fact that our standards are both high and demanding on students and teachers alike.

Each year, students throughout Pennsylvania are tested in areas of science, math, reading and writing. Testing is held throughout the months of October, November, March, April and May. It is intensive for our students, but they are well prepared. Teachers spend time discussing test taking strategies, and what will be expected of students. Every public school in the state is responsible for having their students take these tests, and pass them with proficiency. Scores are recorded by PDE and posted on their website.

So, how has 21st Century Cyber Charter School fared? As an LEA, 21st Century Cyber Charter School was able to make AYP, yet again. Our Middle School made all required AYP goals. While our High School was not able to meet AYP goals, we are very proud of the strident efforts by students, teachers, parents, and everyone else in our learning community who contributed toward this goal. The future offers new challenges that we hope to tackle as the year progresses. We are confident that performance and efforts will improve with hard work and determination.

For details about our scoring, CLICK HERE and view what has been published by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Why is School Sometimes Boring?

Posted on by Ben Ozgur

There are plenty of reasons why students pursue education in a cyber school. Sometimes, the reason we learn from inuring parents and prospective students is that students feel bored in their current school. They are eager to find an alternative to their education, and cyber school seems to offer something fresh and new. But, what does boredom really imply? What do students means when they say they are bored? Why are students bored? Check out this article recently written by Amanda Morin, “4 Reasons Kids Are Bored At School,” to learn more.

What do you think? Join the conversation on Facebook!

Socialization Worries? Cyber Students Don’t Live On An Island!

Posted on by Ben Ozgur

The opinion is out there. Cyber school = no socialization. As a cyber school, we’ve heard the arguments and continue to believe that not everyone sees the whole picture.

21CCCS high school teacher, Mr. Bonnette, feels strongly that in spite of common beliefs that cyber schools limit socialization opportunities for students, we have a way of helping to engage our students through several mediums. Read below to learn more about this topic of interest, and what Mr. Bonnette has to say about it.

 

If you are a prospective parent and this is your first investigation into the possibility of sending your child to a virtual school, it is understandable you may have some concerns about socialization in a cyber world.  Let’s face it; you are making a major decision, which is going to affect your child’s education, and life in general. So, understanding how we in the cyber community strive to ensure students have ample socialization opportunities is probably important to you.

There is a stigma existing in our world that cyber education isolates or eliminates the social opportunities children need in order to grow and mature into successful citizens.  You may have had this thought brewing at the back of your own mind. As a parent and child it is important to understand that 21st Century Cyber Charter School strives to pay particular attention to this facet of the cyber school experience.  We understand social interaction is important and place a heavy emphasis on providing each student, regardless of geographical location, with both virtual and face-to-face opportunities to socialize with peers and staff.

According to Watson and Gemin, virtual schooling fosters a number of positive social developments for our youth. The cyber learning environment provides:

  1. Greater collaboration amongst students across grade levels, leading to accountability and responsibility for older students.
  2. Cross-curricular communication outside a grade level cohort.
  3. The break down of social and ethnic barriers.
  4. Interaction with a broad range of cultures, ideas, and perspectives (2013).

 

In addition to the benefits of virtual socialization, 21st Century Cyber Charter School offers a host of activities in which students and parents may collaborate and socialize face-to-face.  We host field trips each month, which are geared toward all grade levels and afford students the opportunity to meet with peers in an educational and social climate.  Each week we host a community outreach program. These events welcome teachers and staff to various locations throughout Pennsylvania so that students may experience live tutoring and mentorship.  We offer a number of clubs, which also  provide students positive interactions with their peers. Finally, we encourage students to come into our main office location to work with their teachers during the school year. We’re always here for our students!

The possibilities for additional activities and socialization opportunities continue to grow. We are always learning, adapting, and changing. We welcome input as well! Students here have a voice and often help us to discover new trips, events, and outreach possibilities. We are a school of collaboration and exploration. We invite you to give us a try!

Hopefully this short segment has alleviated some of your concerns about socialization in a virtual school setting.  By considering cyber school you are making a big decision, so be aware that 21st Century Cyber Charter School will do everything in its power to make your child’s education everything he/she wants it to be.

 

 

Watson, J., & Gemin, B. (2013). Socialization in online programs. North American Council for Online Learning. NACOL, n.d. Web. 9 Jan 2013. Site available at: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&cad=rja&ved=0CG8QFjAG&url=http://www.inacol.org/research/promisingpractices/NACOL_PP_Socialization.pdf&ei=l7XtUPTeI8a70AHs1YHYDw&usg=AFQjCNHti2mBpBIi3UXFF_7bPAs5CT-rkA&sig2=yhE-M3CWemMvMP5gKcS-LQ.

 

Why Online Learning Soars

Posted on by Ben Ozgur

When it comes to alternative education, Pennsylvania is now home to 154 charter schools, according to PDE reports. When it comes to the numbers, we are high on the list; PA is the 4th highest state in terms of number of charter schools, in the U.S. What is more interesting, or perhaps telling, is that 16 of our charter schools are cyber charter institutions. And, enrollment numbers are climbing. The cyber school stamp is expected to double next year, with eight cyber charter proposals waiting in line to open. The numbers are impressive. Over 32,000 Pennsylvania students are enrolled in Pennsylvania’s cyber schools as full-time students.

Many educators, parents, and administrators are asking the same questions: why all the hype? What is it about cyber learning that makes a difference? Cyber education offers the best of many worlds, granting students the opportunity to direct their learning. Cyber school offers individualized instruction, flexibility, appropriate pacing, differentiated lessons, and more one-on-one time with instructors. Although it may sound counter-intuitive, many cyber school students tout knowing their teachers better in cyber school. They also feel they are able to learn more directly from longer one-on-one instruction (a teacher outside the traditional classroom can spend 10-20 minutes discussing a concept with a student). Further, cyber school gives students more control of their own learning. Students are choosing when and where to learn. Taking education into their own hands fuels their interest in learning because for once, students are in the driver seat. A welcomed sense of ownership helps students to learn self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, and independence.

At 21CCCS, we are huge proponents of independent learning, and teaching students to think critically at their own pace. We want students to grow their academic curiosities and hone their strengths and skills in a way that is comfortable for them. We are able to provide the right amount of assistance, guidance, and mentorship through our P4SL model.

Each charter school is different, but we’ve found that our students benefit from cyber education. They have embraced new technologies, expanded their sense of adaptability, and reap the rewards academically. “All the hype” is about seeing students succeed. We have seen the success stories, watched our students grow, and look forward to a bright future in which cyber schooling continues to positively influence our community. Students who know how to think for themselves and live as self-advocates are sure to shine in the future.

Developing Apps: An Educational Interest

Posted on by Ben Ozgur

Creighton University in Omaha piloted an interesting competition for their business school students. Professors asked students to design and develop a mobile app using a development platform called ApplicationCraft. 12 different teams of students worked to develop a functional, useful, consumer-friendly app that they may or may not choose to launch following the competition.

The project helped students experience real-world application of skills learned throughout the semester. The competition ignited enthusiasm for the business course and helped students to think creatively. It sounds as if students learned valuable information, challenged themselves, and worked well collaboratively.

To read the article recently released by Silicon Prairie News, CLICK HERE.

What Great Teachers Do Differently

Posted on by Ben Ozgur

21CCCS is all about development and improvement. We uncover new ways to reach and teach our students every year. We also love to learn about the great things occurring in other schools, among other educators. In a recent blog posted by Edutopia.org, developer Chris Anderson explores “The Four C’s,” which he tries to implement into student lesson planning for 21st century skills development. To read more about this interesting take on focused teaching, CLICK HERE.