Digital Learning Department

Website: is.byu.edu
Email: indstudy@byu.edu
Phone: 801-914-8931
Fax: 801-422-0102

Grades Served: 9-12

OSPI Approval

Approved as an Online Course Provider from the 2012-13 through the 2015-16 school year.

Access

Overview

BYU Independent Study offers more than 200 core and elective courses for high school students looking for learning alternatives for graduation and credit recovery. These courses are offered in three formats; Paper/Online, "New"Online, and “New” Instructor Guided online courses. Only BYU Independent Study’s Instructor Guided online courses meet Washington’s online course definition and have been approved by OSPI and are eligible for student participation to be claimed for state basic education funding.

These Instructor Guided courses are taught by Washington certificated teachers. They monitor student progress as they lead students through course content, assignments, quizzes and exams. These courses engage students with multi-media, video, webinars, and interactive labs. Instructors, as well as tutors, are available during office hours for questions and consultation.

Students have one year to complete BYU Independent Study Instructor Guided online courses.

Course Offerings

The DLD currently offers BYU Independent Study’s 9th – 12th grade courses in the following subjects:

Mathematics
Business Math, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus

Science
Biology, Chemistry, Earth Systems, Physics

English Language Arts
English

Social Sciences
Contemporary Issues – AP Psychology, Psychology, Economics, Geography, Current Events, Sociology

Government
American Government, US Government and Citizenship

History
Northwest History, US History, World History

Health
Health Education

Physical Education
Fitness for Life

Character Education
Life Skills, Character Education, Character of America – Documents and Symbols, Character of America – The People

World Languages
Spanish

Students

BYU Independent Study’s high school courses are designed for students who will be successful in an online course environment and want to recover or acquire school course credit.

We recognize that each student has unique circumstances and different needs. That’s why we have designed three types of courses— Paper/Online, “New” Online, and “New” Instructor-Guided— to help students succeed, whatever their individual situations.

“New” Instructor Guided Courses

Our “New” Instructor Guided courses provide students with instructor interaction, including live video conferencing, collaboration with other students through discussion boards, required checkpoints, and active progress monitoring. During the scheduled checkpoints, instructors meet with their students using one-on-one video conferencing to discuss the student’s progress and provide direction for success. Students access course materials online and submit all assignments electronically. Students receive free tutoring and active mentoring of their progress. Exams are administered by a certified proctor or testing center. Student support is available by phone, e-mail, live chat, or mail.
Only BYU Independent Study’s Instructor Guided online courses meet Washington’s online course definition and have been approved by OSPI and are eligible for student participation to be claimed for state basic education funding.

This is best for students who:

• Want to qualify for OSPI state basic education funding.
• Can benefit from increased structure, monitoring, and motivation.
• Want to take their entire course online (excluding exams).
• Want to be able to set a course completion date with suggestions for assignment due dates.
• Want regular interaction with their instructor.
• Want a course that meets certain state/organizational requirements for more instructor interaction and student guidance.

“New” Online Courses

Our “New” Online courses provide advanced features and productivity tools, including a student homepage, improved access to student grades, and a student progress calendar. Students access course materials online unless otherwise noted in the individual course description in the catalog. Most courses give students the option of ordering the printed course readings for a $10 fee. (The course readings are included in the course, but students can order a hard copy if they wish.) Students submit all assignments electronically. Exams are administered by a certified proctor or testing center. Student support is available by phone, e-mail, and live chat. Students may also receive free tutoring and active mentoring of their progress.

This is best for students who:

• Want to pay for their course(s) and prefer a self-paced online course that is still engaging and interactive.
• Are self-motivated.
• Want to take their entire course online (excluding exams).
• Prefer learning in a more interactive and engaging environment.
• Want to be able to set a course completion date with suggestions for assignment due dates.

Paper/Online Courses

Our traditional Paper/Online courses are self-paced and can be accessed online, with the option to purchase a printed course packet for $10. A course packet includes the syllabus, course readings, non-graded self-check assignments, and computer-graded Speedback assignments with bubble sheets. Students can submit Speedback assignments online through the BYU Independent Study website, or by mailing the completed bubble sheet. Students have the option of submitting instructor-graded assignments by e-mail, fax, or mail. Exams are administered by a certified proctor or testing center. Student support is available by phone, e-mail, and live chat. Students can also request free tutoring support.

This is best for students who:

• Have limited or no Internet access because they are in a remote location, traveling abroad, institutionally bound, or have other constraints.
• Have a need for hardcopy assignments.

Instructional Model

BYU Independent Study Instructor Guided courses are a blend of live and student-paced instruction, (both synchronous and asynchronous). Students work through the course materials until reaching their “Learning Checkpoints” at which time students participate with a certified Washington teacher in a one-on-one online meeting who reviews their progress and guides them through any difficult concepts.

During the scheduled checkpoints, instructors meet with their students using one-on-one video conferencing to discuss the student’s progress and provide direction for success. Students access course materials online and submit all assignments electronically. Students receive free tutoring and active mentoring of their progress.

Exams are administered by a certified proctor or testing center. Student support is available by phone, e-mail, live chat, or mail.

Curriculum Alignments

BYU Independent Study offers a 9th – 12th grade curriculum that has been designed to meet Washington State and nationally accepted content standards.

BYU is also designing math and English Language Arts to the Common Core State Standards which has been adopted by the state of Washington for the 2012 – 2013.

Accreditation

BYU is accredited as an institution by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). BYU Independent Study’s High School program is accredited by the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), which recently joined AdvancED, and by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).

Instructor Certification

BYU Independent Study’s teachers instructing in OSPI approved Instructor Guided courses are Highly Qualified, Washington State certified, and endorsed in their subject matter. BYU teachers who are enthusiastic about their class will guide their students through their online learning experience by providing feedback and direction in order to help them successfully complete their course.

AP Audit

Below is a list of the AP Courses audited by the College Board:

APBIO 059: AP Biology Part I (First Semester) October 25, 2011
APBIO 060: AP Biology Part II (Second Semester) October 25, 2011
APPSY 059: AP Psychology Part I (First Semester) October 25, 2011
APPSY 060: AP Psychology Part II (Second Semester) October 25, 2011

Courseware Platform

BYU Independent Study uses a learning management system called BrainHoney. This system is web-based and works on all major browsers and operating systems without any installation. The student-teacher “Learning Checkpoints” take place in Adobe Connect, a web-based video conferencing tool that requires no installation. While we don’t require students to use webcams, our teachers do use webcams, and we highly encourage students to use them. Some courses also include streaming audio and video. We recommend broadband Internet access. Other features vary by course; unique system requirements are rare, but are listed in the course catalog description when applicable.

Student Performance and Demographics

Teacher-to-student ratio: 1:66

Course completion rate: 93%

Course pass rate: 85%

Student Satisfaction Survey

BYU Independent Study - Instructor-Guided Online Courses did not participate in the student satisfaction survey.

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