Norris School District

Another option for your students’ learning: Nova Net launched at Norris High School

            Norris High School has made an exciting leap forward in computer-assisted instruction by acquiring Nova Net at the end of the first semester.  A self-paced means of completing a variety of classes at Norris High School, Nova Net is now available for student use and we have already begun enrolling students in classes they can take through this exciting program.  A Nova Net course is taken in place of the regular classroom setting.

            Nova Net is a great option for completing classes for students in a variety of circumstances with a variety of characteristics:

            -Students who like to work on their own

            -Students who like to do work by computer

            -Students who are frustrated in a regular class on their schedule because the class work is moving too fast – or too slow – for their own needs

            -Students who are re-taking a class for credit and want a different option

            -Students who want to take a class or learn about something that is difficult to fit on their schedule otherwise (Nova Net is available before and after school in addition to throughout the day during all periods)

            The content of these courses is aligned to state and national standards.  Students who take Nova Net courses at Norris will meet the graduation requirements for those courses and receive the same credit hours for those courses as they do in the traditional classroom environment.  Grades for the courses are pass / no pass. 

            Nova Net allows students to work at their own pace independently via computer.  Students receive individual assistance from our new paraprofessional and Nova Net facilitator Sherry Spears, and the regular classroom teacher still oversees the your student’s class work and progress.  With the addition of Nova Net, Norris High School acknowledges that not all students learn at the same rate on the same day.  Students move through their work on Nova Net at the rate at which they are learning!  Some students take longer than others, and other students can move through a course more quickly than they would in a regular classroom because they can learn the content more rapidly.

            Enrollment space in Nova Net is limited.  Norris can access 12 ports at any one time, so the maximum number of our students who can work on Nova Net at the same time is a dozen.  We can serve many more students than 12, however, because most students who are using Nova Net are doing so for just one or two classes daily. 

            Nova Net is new to our faculty as well.  We are receiving formal training on the instructional use of Nova Net on January 24^th and 25^th.  Teachers will learn about assigning students to sections, reviewing student work completed, and creating and viewing progress reports for Nova Net classes.

            While Nova Net is new to us at Norris, it is not a new system.  Nova Net’s initial development and use was three decades ago.  Over that time, the program has advanced as our use of technology in schools has advanced.  Nova Net is used by many schools throughout Nebraska and has been in place for several years by a couple of our closest neighbors, Lincoln and Waverly.  Our decision to acquire Nova Net was based on careful study and consideration of how it might help our kids.  In answer to the question “Is it best for our kids?” we decided that this computer-based learning tool is a great option for some of our kids.

            The most important aspect of our work with Nova Net at Norris High School, however, is the human one – we have hired Sherry Spears as a lab supervisor.  Sherry will work in the Mega Lab (this lab can accommodate up to three full classes at a time and still provide room for individual students to work on Nova Net).  Sherry is serving an instrumental role in facilitating individual students’ work in Nova Net.  In addition to working with students on Nova Net, Sherry is also helping to supervise individual students who are doing internet research in the lab for class projects and assignments.

            Sound interesting?  It is. Contact Mr. Skretta at 791-0010 today to learn more.