As a result of the recent pandemic and the need for students across the province to learn from home for an extended period of time, some students found that learning in a virtual setting was better suited to their learning styles and personal needs. Up until 2022, Foothills School Division provided ongoing online learning to those students within their division who wished to continue to be part of it’s Hub@Home program once restrictions were lifted. Because there were significant numbers of students and their families who wished to continue with online learning moving forward, along with inquiries from students outside of Foothills School Division who wished to access the program as well, the division transformed their Hub@Home program into a new digital-based school called Foothills Digital School.
Foothills Digital School offers elementary, junior high and high school programs. As with the vision from Alberta Education FDS prioritizes and have a dedicated focus on literacy and numeracy, especially in the younger years. In the younger grades, the core subjects of Math, English Language Arts, Social Studies and Science are the main focus, with Health and Life Skills, Career and Technology Foundations, and Fine Arts integrated alongside supplementary activities through home facilitators. Each grade in Foothills Digital School has an Online Teacher who is appointed to guide and work alongside the students and home facilitators in their learning journeys. Students engage in various learning activities, both online, and in print format. There are required synchronous meeting times online where students interact with their peers and teachers in a virtual classroom setting.
High school learning in the Foothills Digital School is an online / blended learning program combining direct instruction (via video chat) with independent, self-directed online learning. Students connect with their teacher by email as their primary means of communication, with mini lessons and face-to-face discussion by video chat available daily. Students can access their courses anytime, anywhere as long as they have internet access, and the learning experience is very flexible. Students can work on their learning any time of the day, at a pace that is appropriate to their level of readiness. For the high school grades, there are a variety of offerings.
From what was created out of necessity during a pandemic, this online flexible learning school has emerged and been developed to meet the needs of a diverse learning community in Alberta. With dedicated teachers, a variety of learning experiences and opportunities, and built-in flexibility, this program is meeting the unique needs of Alberta students who are signing on from all around the world.
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