Online Learning [eCampus]
In October, 2003, the Superintendent of the North Kansas City School District charged IT leaders to investigate options using technology to enhance educational opportunities.
A committee reviewed the options and created program goals for 2003-04 and 2004-05 school years. It was decided that the best way to provide extended learning opportunities was to implement online curriculum and Blackboard was selected as the platform for the District.
The first three courses offered were Biology, Geometry, and U.S. History with a course enrollment of 23 students for the fall semester. Three teachers were selected and trained during July 2004. Initially, three course cartridges were purchased and the courses were aligned to the district curriculum and pacing guide.
An online coordinator was hired and paid with an extra duty assignment contract. Spanish was added in the spring. Blackboard also started being used as a way to develop internal staff Web pages for schools and a way to hold virtual committee meetings. During 2006-07, an additional component of Blackboard called the Content System was added providing a virtual hard drive for course storage, acting as a platform for collaboration and provides a student portfolio package.
A full-time eCampus Coordinator was hired at the beginning of the 2007-08 school year. Currently eCampus offerings have expanded to 29 and 48 with the inclusion of off-semester courses. Enrollment has increased to approximately 650 course enrollments each Fall, Spring and Summer sessions.
To learn more, visit eCampus or contact Coordinator Marla Walker, at (816) 413-5029.
