How and where does the interactive instruction take place?

The real time Agnus Dei classes take place on the school's private, secure server. Classes meet once or twice a week using interactive live audio and text conferencing. Discussion initiated in live sessions are continued throughout the week through private email and private class conference centers.

What software is required for participation in Agnus Dei classes?

The necessary software for participation in RCA classes includes: a word processor, web browser, email program, and conferencing software.

How is this software used?

Agnus Dei combines the following three internet applications, allowing students a complete and excellent learning experience from their own homes: Live audio and text conferencing, Web Browsers, and Email. Students interact live with other students and our highly qualified teachers during regularly scheduled meetings each week.

Live Conference Software:

Students use free or inexpensive text-based conference software to connect to our private, secure server. During each live class session, teachers lead discussions with students using interactive audio and text conferencing capabilities. All students see and hear what the instructor is typing and saying as well as what the students type and say to one another.

Which is better for the student an all text medium or audio/text medium?

Agnus Dei combines the best of two internet applications, text and audio, providing your student the most complete learning atmosphere possible. The benefits of using both text and audio are many but here are few that are most commonly communicated to us:

* Material is covered in more depth.
* More material is covered per session.
* More time can be spent on answering questions.
* Rather than hiding behind the keyboard, as can happen in an all text classroom, the student comes to class MORE prepared to discuss the material.
* Spoken ideas can be reinforced through the text medium hence allowing the student to hear and see the ideas shared.
* Pronunciation of terms can be more fully learned and confidence is gained as students learn how to say what they are typing and reading.
* The classes move more quickly and are more enjoyable because dead times are not as long when just text is used.

Web Browser:

Students use web browsers (Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer) to obtain weekly or daily assignments for each class. Preparation for live class sessions often includes completion of web-based exercises and postings of assigned homework. Most instructors also provide web-based auto-correcting quizzes to aid in preparation for exams. Some classes use an interactive "white-board", accessible via web browser, to provide students a visual presentation of abstract concepts and to allow teachers to observe student work in progress. Information about the software used in each class can be found under each course description. RCA also provides a web-based student conference center where students interact socially, posting comments and discussing a variety of subjects: favorite books, movies, apologetics, sports, politics, etc. Access to the conference center is available only to registered students and their families; RCA has established and maintains strict security of access for the safety of all our students.

Email:

Communication between students, teachers, and parents is maintained primarily by the use of email. Parents may request telephone conferences with teachers if the need arises.

I've heard about your "Almost Dead Week." What is it and what is its purpose?

There are four "Almost Dead Weeks" every year which occur at eight week intervals. The purpose of "Almost Dead Week" is to allow the student to review and prepare for the upcoming quarterly exams. There are no live classes and no new material is presented. We have found that one week a quarter where students are given the opportunity to prepare for their exams results in much better exam scores and also helps develop long term memory, an absolute necessity in sequential instructional classes such as Latin and Math. The term, "Almost dead" is from the movie, Princess Bride. Great movie. Check it out!

What can the student expect from Agnus Dei teachers?

RCA instructors understand the demands of home-schooling (most of our instructors are currently home-schooling or have home-schooled their own children). Via audio/text discussions, exams, and written assignments our instructors teach from a Catholic perspective, nurturing the desire to know and live the Catholic faith in all areas of life. Practically speaking, your student can expect timely answers to questions by email or prearranged telephone conference as part of the instructor's commitment to encourage and inspire your student's success.

What does Agnus Dei expect from students?

We expect our students to come to class prepared, to actively discuss the material, and submit homework, quizzes and tests by the dates assigned. At the junior level, there is flexibility of due dates and work submitted though students are encouraged to complete all aspects of the course on the assigned due dates. Ideally, we hope that students will spend time discussing their readings with their parents, asking for assistance if necessary.

What does RCA expect from parents?

In order for a student to do well in Agnus Dei a parent or other supervisor must, at a minimum, do the following:

1. Check parent email address every 2 days.

2. Communicate with the teacher via email if there are questions about procedural issues or concerns about a student's understanding of the class material.

3. Help the student organize offline study time so work can be completed by the assigned due dates. Monitor free computer access time.

4. Ask to see the student's homework, implement incentives for timely completion of work and, where necessary, implement solutions to eliminate habitual neglect of homework.

5. Require students to seek teacher's assistance via email or conference center when necessary.

6. Contact the office (admin@reginacoeli.org) regarding communication issues between teachers and students. Generally, our teachers respond to email and conference center postings within 24-48 hours; untimely response could indicate technical issues that the administration can quickly resolve.

How can a junior high school student best develop writing skills through your program?

Homeschool families frequently request assistance with writing and composition, and although RCA reinforces student writing skill by use of audio and text conferencing software, we find students need additional disciplined weekly writing instruction. All students are strongly encouraged to enroll in a minimum of two classes: a content course and one of several writing course offerings.

How does Agnus Dei evaluate students?

Some Agnus Dei courses carry partial or full high school credit; generally speaking, those which carry full credit require that the student request and complete extra work. The school keeps records of courses carrying high school credit and encourages parents to keep records of the courses offered as junior high or enrichment classes. At the end of the academic year, instructors in classes-for-credit provide to the parent and to the administrative office a numerical score reflecting the student's performance. The numerical score will be placed on the student's high school transcript, which is a part of the school's permanent record and which will be provided to colleges or to scholarship committees upon request. The first three transcripts are free; there is a modest fee required for subsequent copies. Parents who do not plan to use transcripts when applying for college admissions are encouraged to keep their own copies of the scores in the family's permanent files.

Are students tested?

Quizzes and tests will be given as teachers deem necessary. Generally, junior classes consist of two to three exams per year along with weekly quizzes and daily assignments.

Our instructors will consider the following criteria when evaluating student performance:

1. Does the student show understanding of the material presented on midterms, quizzes and the final exam?

2. Does the student turn in assignments consistently, on time, and completely?

3. Does the student make use of all available avenues of instruction, i.e., email, forums, study groups, web sites, practice quizzes and live conferencing?

4. Does the student participate in the class discussion? Is the student able to answer "pop" questions via private message from the instructor?

5. When the student does not understand the material presented, does he or she contact the instructor by email or by forum posts?

6. Does the student follow instructions? Generally observe protocol in class?

Please note: Though our instructors are dedicated to using technology to insure that students receive a high quality classical education, the computer and all its advantages do not replace the actively involved parent. The parent is a key factor in student success in any educational program, but especially so in distance-learning, which denies the teacher eye contact and immediate personal interaction. Parents are our allies and partners and must work with our teachers through email and, when necessary, by telephone, in order to insure that assigned work is completed and understood.

What records are maintained by Agnus Dei?

Copies of student scores for college preparatory courses will be given to parents and kept on file at the administrative office. Records of junior level courses should be maintained by the parent.

Does ADJ issue letter grades?

At the completion of the course, ADJ issues numeric scores for college preparatory courses which can be used to determine an overall GPA. Scores for junior courses may be requested from the instructor at the completion of the course. If school officials need proof of participation in an ADJ course, an official letter will be sent confirming your student's completion of the course.

How do I arrange a telephone conference with a teacher?

Email the teacher, providing general information about your concerns and two or three alternative times when you can call. The teacher will provide contact information and confirm a time, or if necessary, suggest an alternative time. Under no circumstances should a parent attempt a conference during or after a live class.

Why do some classes meet once a week and others meet twice a week?

Course meeting times are dependent upon the level of the course (junior or senior high), the subject matter covered (languages vs literature vs math, etc.) and the type of technology required to teach the subject effectively (audio, text, whiteboard.). Since RCA uses audio in conjunction with text conferencing, material can be covered more quickly and more effectively using less live online time than if a text only environment is used.

What hardware and software is required for participation in Agnus Dei classes?

PC Needs:

1. Pentium or 486DX (66Mgz minimum--100mgz or above recommended)

2. 16megabytes of RAM recommended.

3. Windows 95

4. High Speed Internet Connection (DSL must be at least mid-range. A price less than $30 a month is not usually fast enough.)

5. Soundcard

Macintosh Needs:

1. OS 10

2. High Speed Internet Connection (DSL must be at least mid-range. A price less than $30 a month is not usually fast enough.)

What about cyber smut? Will my student be in danger of exposure to pornography?

No young person should be turned loose on the World Wide Web without reasonable supervision. Filtering software can provide busy parents invaluable aid in their God-given responsiblity of safeguarding their children's purity. No filtering software, however, should be used in lieu of reasonable parental involvement.

Please note: Agnus Dei classes are held on a private, password secure server where only registered enrolled ADJ students, parents and alumni may have access.

Will Agnus Dei help me connect to the Internet?

We help families access the internet and install their basic conferencing software; they are then ready to participate in an online orientation class. The orientation class teaches them the ropes of online learning as well as some basic computer skills. To acclimate our students to online learning prior to the academic school year, we offer a number of summer courses.

Additional technical support is available for $25.00 per quarter per family which will provide helps with browser, conferencing software, bulletin boards, and email.