You Need a LEG to Stand On

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You Need a LEG to Stand On

• Dawn Nordine, WVS Director
• Nancy Kind, Program Assistant
• Joan Hilgendorf, Program Assistant

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What is a LEG? (Local Education Guide)

• An individual who gives support to students in
  the district who are taking online courses
  through WVS
• An individual who the WVS teacher can communicate
  with about the student and their progress or
  concerns

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Importance of the LEG

• Critical to the success of most students in an
  online environment to have someone monitoring
  their progress, locally.
• Student contact and encouragement are the most
  important responsibilities of a LEG.

4
Who can/should be a LEG?

• Anyone at your school district that would be
  willing to help support the online students
  needs can be a LEG.
• It is up to the school district to decide who and
  what approach will work best for its students
  needs.

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How much TIME will it take to be a LEG?

• Does not need to be time-consuming
• LEG should check the students progress at least
  once a week to be sure that he or she is
  accessing the class and doing assignments (5-10
  minutes)
• If the student is not doing assignments, then the
  LEG will need time with the student to determine
  issues and solutions.

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Experience tells us.

• Most time consuming part of a LEGs
  responsibilities is helping the student get
  started with an online course for the first time.
• If the student follows the directions in the
  Course Home and the Student Orientation or Course
  Tutorial, getting started is easy.

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Experience tells us.

• If the student rushes through or skips the
  tutorial, he or she may miss important points
  such as assignment or digital drop box
  procedures, quizzes, and contacting their
  teacher.
• The LEG will want to coach the student on the
  importance of carefully following instructions,
  particularly in the Course Home and Introduction.
  
• Tip have the student complete an online
  readiness survey before registering. WVS has a
  sample.

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LEG Characteristics

• Committed - builds a trusting relationship with
  each student
• Patient - willing to learn along with the student
• Flexible - can adapt to students needs, learning
  style, and pace

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LEG Characteristics

• Active Listener - responds positively to
  students behavior and motivation problems
• Respectful - treats students with respect and
  fairness
• Enthusiastic - has a sense of humor

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LEG Characteristics

• Empathetic - understanding of common problems and
  concerns of adolescents
• Communicates - regularly with student, district
  liaison, online teacher, parent/guardian, and WVS
  on student progress

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A LEG is a.

• Friend
• Coach
• Motivator
• Companion
• Supporter
• Advisor
• Advocate
• Role Model

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LEG Must Do List

• Facilitate the students learning process through
  face to face, e-mail, phone
• Assist students with assignments if needed
• Local policy may indicate proctoring all quizzes
  and exams

• Accompany student during the Student Orientation
  or Course Tutorial
• Contact the WVS teacher ASAP - let them know you
  are the LEG and want to be contacted on a regular
  basis
• Be aware of the 14-day drop window for full refund

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Registration Steps

• District contact or LEG registers the student
  online at http//wisconsinvirtualschool.org/enroll
  ment.asp
• The student will need an email address in order
  to successfully register, receive their welcome
  email, and participate in the course.
• An email is sent to the district contact or LEG
  to login to their account and approve the student
  online for the course. LEGs may also have
  privileges to approve during the registration
  process.

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Registration Steps

• Upon receiving the approval, the student receives
  a confirmation email that provides a login
  ID/username and password for accessing their
  course.
• The LEG has their own login information for using
  the Observer Dashboard for their students in
  the Blackboard platform.
• LEGS that have students in the eCollege platform
  use the students login for detailed information.
• All LEGs receive weekly emailed progress reports
  in PDF format on their students.
• The WVS teacher receives the LEG contact
  information from WVS.

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Orientation Steps

• Student/LEG needs to ensure that the students
  computer meets the minimum technical requirements
  on the computers in which they are going to
  access their course.
• LEG makes sure the student completes the Student
  Orientation or Course Tutorial.
• LEG helps determine if the student should
  continue within the first 14 days.

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Ongoing Progress Checks

• LEG should login at least once a week to check on
  progress using the Observer Dashboard or the
  students login based on which platform the
  student is using.
• Print a copy of the gradebook or progress report
  weekly for the students file.
• For more detail, log in as the student, check
  announcements and grade book.

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Tips to Assist the LEG

• Have an orientation for students ensure they
  can send and read e-mail attachments
• Help students create a schedule for assignments,
  quizzes, and tests
• Keep a printed copy of the grade book weekly or
  print and file the weekly progress report.

• Call us about LEG training sessions available
• Familiarize yourself with e-mail and attachments.
• Print out the course syllabus and FAQ page

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More LEG Tips

• Keep a file on each student
• Record errors and problems with the course
• Notify the WVS teacher about any problems
• Provide guidance and/or administration with
  updates biweekly

• Send an introductory e-mail to the WVS teacher
• Glitches happen -check your e-mail after sending
  within 24 hours
• Did I mention to check progress and print weekly?
  -)

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Keep Nancy and Joans phone number
handy!!!715-453-2141(ext. 236 or 221)eCollege
Help Desk 1-877-689-1772Blackboard Help
Desk1-800-594-5965or use the help button for
online assistance

• Dont be afraid to ask for help!

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Remember students are still students whether in
the classroom or online...
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..they still need a LEG to stand on!