When Springville High School Principal Robert Harris went to a national dropout prevention workshop two years ago, he had no inkling that the ideas he gained from one session would take him on a journey that would help lead his students into true 21st Century learning.

Springville High School students are now using Moodle — a fun abbreviation for the course-management system formally called Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment. Harris heard about the program at the workshop, and he wanted to see if it would work in his school. This course-management system would allow his teachers to extend the classroom in a safe online environment where students could access assignments, quizzes and other materials from teachers. In colleges, this type of program has been the foundation of online classes.

Harris wanted to use it as a form of blended instruction which would allow students to have access to the teacher and the online content.

So how is this being used at Springville High?

A year ago the state began planning for an online experience requirement for the 2009 incoming class of freshmen. In preparation, Harris discussed Moodle with SHS Assistant Principal Jeff Smith and his wife, Donna Smith, who is also a teacher. They began writing a course that would be an extension of English classes and the required summer reading.

In the spring of 2009, Donna Robertson, the counselor, explained the course to the eighth graders at orientation so they would be prepared to enroll in the summer before their ninth-grade year. Students last summer began enrolling, receiving content and taking quizzes online before they ever met their teacher for that English class. This program was successful for summer reading, and it has extended beyond that.

Faculty began adding classes to Moodle, which became a one-stop shop for students to access make-up work, handouts, presentations and any work they needed to review from any computer, at home or at school.

Celia Jeffres, a science teacher says, “I use it for make-up work. The outlines we use in class are there as well as online labs for students that miss them. Students also have access to links to important sites referenced in class. The students seem very positive about the program.”

Now Springville High School’s Moodle contains classes in all subject areas and it is growing.

Harris says, “One thing I am working on now is a course for teachers to access resources for Response to Instruction (a tiered intervention process for students) including a forum where they can discuss it as a department. My goal is to have them complete activities and give them a Continuing Education Unit (used for teacher re-certification) for their work.”

Online and blended instruction is a growing trend that really fits this digital generation. Springville High School students are preparing for college and the workplace that will demand they access content and information online. Not only do they have the benefit of the virtual learning environments, but most teachers there are using tools such as LCD projectors, interactive boards and document cameras to deliver engaging instruction. Media Specialist and Tech Contact Cassie Clark helps Harris keep inventory of equipment and does a needs assessment often to see what teachers need to be most efficient. These are just a few of the ways that Springville High School is preparing tomorrow’s leaders today.