ELECTIVE CREDIT COURSE

CONTRACT LEARNING

Students in grades 11 and 12 may choose to complete the three (3) elective courses or the Fine Arts credits by entering into a learning contract, a concept pioneered by Dr. Malcom Knowles to help students become more self-directive in their pursuit of learning.

Within the Fine Arts requirement, students may wish to get involved in Community Theater, dance, music, writing plays and short stories, involvement in set design, or a photography project; all examples of the abundant possibilities.

Within the Elective requirement, students should consider possible topics that will provide an expansion of education that supports his/her strongest interests.  Potential areas of study are:  Economics, specific history topics for in-depth study, Business Administration, Office Administration, horticulture, living in a foreign country, the motivation behind sports competition, how to build something, politics, comparative religions, etc.  The main idea is to choose something that you want to learn about.

In order for Internet Home School to determine that the requirements have been met in order to award credit, the following parameters must be answered and recorded:

1.    The student’s learning objectives that answers the question:

“What do you want to learn?”

This should be answered in depth, with a thoughtful explanation of
exactly what you plan to explore, and why.

2.    A listing of resources and strategies available to the student used to
Accomplish the objectives.

“How are you going to learn?”
          
               Some ideas about resources:  Library, specific books and publications on the subject, interviews with experts, hands on learning, apprenticeships,
        computer application programs.

3.    What evidence will the student develop to satisfy the objectives that learning has occurred

“What will you produce?”

This could be a business plan, a report of 1000 words or research paper, a portfolio, a description of research experiences, a product.  Any tangible proof of your efforts in the learning experience is necessary.

4.    Criteria for validating that evidence

“How will you know what you have learned?”

Supporting evidence MUST include the following:

1.    A log of at least 150 hours spent on the project, signed and  
      verified by an parent, instructor, or expert in the area of study.

2.    The contract must be submitted and approved by the Internet Home School BEFORE the student begins the project. 
Any work prior to this will NOT be considered contract learning.

To begin arranging a contract, please contact Elizabeth Kessler at:

    ihs_social_studies@internethomeschool.com