Kids Summer Camps - Youth Summer Camps - Teen Summer Camps

Giant Campus has made a shift from summer camps to online high school technology courses.  To give you an idea of the type of technology education online for kids we can expect from Giant Campus in 2010 and going forward, I’ve attached a copy of a current job announcement for Giant Campus for an online high school instructor for Washington State. 

(So if you’re technology skilled, a certified high school instructor, pass a security background test and fingerprinting, please take note of the following job announcement from Giant Campus for 2010.)  I’ve had the opportunity to review the new direction with Cathy Shoaf, of Giant Campus and she let me know that at the end of 2009, Giant Campus is making a huge and dramatic shift in their mission.  Sadly, the era of Giant Campus (formerly Cybercamps) sleepaway summer camps for kids is ending, making way for the energy and focus needed for their new and exciting decision to offer high school technology elective credits online.  This virtual high school technology curriculum offers real world courses in Game Design online, Flash Animation online, Web Design online, Game Modding online, Digital Photography & Graphics online, Digital Video Production online, Game Design 1 & 2 online, Online Game Design, 3D Art 1 & 2 online, C++ Programming online, and Computer Literacy 1 & 2 online.

Here is the Giant Campus Virtual High School Technology Online Instructor job posting that is current at the time of publication for this post.  For information regarding this position and other opportunities with Giant Campus, please call direct to 888-904-2267.

Online Instructor  POSITION OVERVIEW
Under the supervision of the Manager of Online Programs, online instructors are responsible for the success of high school students taking one or more online courses. Courses include Digital Photography & Graphics, Flash Animation, Web Design, Digital Video Production, Game Design 1 & 2, Online Game Design, 3D Art 1 & 2, C++ Programming, and Computer Literacy 1 & 2.

Instructors support student success by mentoring students throughout online courses, responding to student questions, monitoring threaded discussions, evaluating assignments, conducting live lessons via web conferencing and supporting students as needed.

Instructors will respond to student questions within one business day and provide feedback on assignments and assessments within three business days of receipt. Instructors also conduct regular live sessions and hold regular office hours.

Instructors actively monitor and track individual student progress and provide mentoring and direction as needed. Online courseware, syllabus, quizzes and assignments with grading rubrics are provided. Online instructors play an essential role in making sure students are involved, interacting with the instructor and peers, learning the course content, and applying their learning to assigned projects.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Teach students, guiding them toward successful completion of well-designed online course(s).
• Provide student-specific assistance and support in course content and online learning skills.
• Maintain daily, online communication with students. Be available by phone during instructor-specified office hours.
• Respond clearly and effectively to student questions via email within one business day.
• Evaluate student assignments within three business days using the provided rubrics and clear, well-expressed constructive comments.
• Track student work and communication.
• Communicate with students and Giant Campus staff by email, telephone, IM and web conferencing on a regular basis.
• Openly communicate with Giant Campus staff regarding course and student-related problems and concerns.
• Participate in regularly scheduled online instructional team web meetings.
• Complete the instructor training.
• Learn and teach new/updated courses as requested by Giant Campus.
• Provide feedback regarding course content and organization as a part of our commitment to ongoing improvement of student learning.
  SCHEDULE
  
   

• Part-time instructors have 2 – 3 hours required online office hours per week, set at different times to accommodate time zones; otherwise schedule is flexible.  
• Full time instructors require 2 hours of office hours per day. The other hours are spent with student communication and course administration. Evening hours may be required.
• Semester includes various start dates for cohorts, schools and classes.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Washington state teaching certification
• High competency (BA) in the subject matter area.
• Experience taking, teaching, or developing an online course, or highly competent in integrating online learning into instructional delivery.
• Excellent written communication and time management skills.
• Command of theoretical and practical knowledge of learning motivation, reinforcement, evaluation and feedback techniques.
• Proficient in using e-mail, managing files, recording and reporting grades electronically, and using computer applications including word processors and spreadsheets.
• Willing to contribute actively to collegial learning community and to building learning communities with students.
• Willing to proactively, and in a timely manner, find solutions to challenges by getting assistance from Giant Campus staff.
• Willing to learn Giant Campus courses and remain current in technology.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Agree to a background check and fingerprinting.
• Maintain hardware software and Internet connection speed sufficient to support online teaching:
  • PC computer
  • Enough available hard drive space to install course software and view student projects
  • High speed internet access
  • A phone number accessible to students
• Complete the Giant Campus Online Instructor Training and orientation. Training includes completing the course projects, web conferencing, learning management systems, techniques for teaching online, and policies and procedures.

So great news for kids that want high school elective credits online! Giant Campus is starting with the State of Washington for their new virtual online high school courses, with several additional states planned for the near future. Giant Campus is a leading technology curriculum online education provider with K12, Insight, and Kaplan.  Please take advantage of the Giant Campus Promo Code “OnlineHS”.

Have you taken any online high school courses? Are you familiar with virtual high school classes? Please join the conversation and let us know what you think about Giant Camus 2010!

thanks - Penny - the blog admin