The flexibility offered by ‘virtual’ learning environments is proving very popular across the United States education system, none more so than at the Phoenix Academy, where students are able to supplement their traditional classroom lessons with additional computer based training.

As Academy Director, Dr Walter Wolff explains; “Many of our students are attempting to make-up classes while others are taking additional lessons so they can graduate early from high school. Phoenix offers flexible scheduling to include classes both during the day and in the evening.”

While students enjoy the independence that this type of learning provides, the challenge for schools is how best to monitor the use of the technology, ensuring students are focused on the topic in hand and not using the equipment for more ‘personal’ matters! Equally, teachers still need the ability to engage and interact with the students when appropriate.

Aware that another school in the district were using NetSupport School to manage their IT classrooms, Phoenix staff were able to see the product in action and the potential for using the software in their own environment quickly became apparent as Dr Wolff continues; “We were impressed with the various functions within the program and the ease with which it could be used. Our two concerns ahead of attending the demonstration were how we could better monitor students and the Internet sites they were visiting as well as having a learning tool where the teachers can interact via computer with students as a group or on a one to one basis. It didn’t take long for NetSupport School to positively answer these concerns.”

“The decision to purchase NetSupport School was very easy, helped by the excellent customer service we received from the NetSupport team. Any questions we had were answered in rapid time.”

About Phoenix Academy
Phoenix Academy is a virtual program of Rock Hill Schools serving higher education students on a full or part-time basis.

The Academy offers a flexible learning environment that is both self-paced and mastery-based. The curriculum is presented through a virtual medium with teacher assistance. All teachers are highly qualified and certified in the content area in which they teach.

Phoenix Academy also offers flexible scheduling that can accommodate numerous student schedules. Evening classes make it possible for students to continue taking classes within their home high school during the day while attending Phoenix in the evening. The evening sessions also allow us to meet the needs of students that may work full-time during the day or who may be the primary child care-giver for their child.

For more information visit: http://pa.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/