Full Service Students (Grades 5-12)

Quicklinks: Navigate the Course | Use Common Course Tools such as Discussion Boards, Dropbox, and Quizzes | Use Smartphone to Scan Work | View Grades, Feedback and Progress

Navigating Your Course and Using Course Tools

Welcome to Illinois Virtual School!

You are enrolled in a semester course that is faciliated by an Illinois certified instructor responsible for maintaining communication, providing instructional feedback, and assisting with course questions. Because you are completing all course requirements, Full Service courses are recognized by the NCAA College Board.

Below are videos and help guides that explain how to access and navigate your course, as well as show you how to use tools for submitting work, posting in the discussion board, and checking your progress. Be sure to watch all the videos to help you to be successful in your course!

Enabling Pop-Ups and Launching Your Course

You will need to allow pop-ups in an IVS recommended web browser before you launch the course from the Course widget. Once enabled or allowed, when you click the "Launch Course" button in the Dashboard, the course and the course homepage should open in a new tab or window.

Allow Pop-Ups

Enable Pop-Ups

Launch and Access Course

Accessing Your Course Help Guide

Remember, the Launch Course button is not immediately ready to use; it will be activated within 12-24 hours after you are enrolled in the course or on the course start date.

Plan and Pacing

Once you have accessed your course, you will want to read everything on the course homepage, including the News from your instructor. You should also follow all directions shared in a Welcome Email from your instructor to start the course successfully

You will also want to view the Course Welcome Video, your instructor's Contact Information, and all information provided on the homepage. In the Welcome and Important Course Information unit or module, review your course policies, course overview, expectations, and how to be successful in the course.

You should then locate your Pacing Chart or list of due dates and use the knowledge learned in the Time Management lesson of the IVS Getting Started Orientation to begin committing the time for reading and completing the assignments on or before the due dates.

Navigating the Course System

Please watch the following videos to learn how to navigate within the course system, as well as access your course content to open units, lessons, and activities.

Introduction to Course Elements	Accessing Course Content

Using Common Course Tools

Please watch the following videos to learn how to participate in discussion boards, submit electronic/digital files to the dropbox, and complete and submit quizzes.

Participating in Discussions	Taking Quizzes, Tests, and Surveys
Discussion boards can be a collaborative area where students share thoughts, ask and answer questions, and talk with peers. Be sure to follow the discussion board expectations set by your instructor.	You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the content through a quiz, test, or survey. Note: In IVS courses, the Quiz tool is called Quiz Tool Assessments.

Participating in Discussions

Taking Quizzes, Tests, and Surveys

Discussion boards can be a collaborative area where students share thoughts, ask and answer questions, and talk with peers.

Be sure to follow the discussion board expectations set by your instructor.

You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the content through a quiz, test, or survey.

Note: In IVS courses, the Quiz tool is called
Quiz Tool Assessments.

Submitting Files to the Dropbox
The Dropbox allows you to submit assignments to your instructor and also see feedback and comments once your assignment has been reviewed. Best practice for online course participation is to always save all digital files (documents, presentations, worksheets, etc) to a computer or more permanent storage location before submitting through the dropbox or message center. Once submitted, it is highly recommended that you keep all files until the course is successfully completed. Do not remove or delete coursework from your own storage location until you complete the course.

Submitting Files to the Dropbox

The Dropbox allows you to submit assignments to your instructor and also see feedback and comments once your assignment has been reviewed.

Best practice for online course participation is to always save all digital files (documents, presentations, worksheets, etc) to a computer or more permanent storage location before submitting through the dropbox or message center. Once submitted, it is highly recommended that you keep all files until the course is successfully completed. Do not remove or delete coursework from your own storage location until you complete the course.

For better viewing, we recommend that you click the Fullscreen option in the lower right corner of each video.

Using Your Smartphone to Scan Written Work and Save as PDF

If you do not have access to a scanner to scan and save your hand written assignments, you can use an app to scan the pages of the assignment via your Smartphone.

iPhone Users

You can use the Notes App to scan all the pages of a single assignment.

You can find instructions here:? How to use iPhone Notes to scan documents

?Once scanned, you can email a .pdf file to yourself, then open your email on your computer and download the .pdf file to your computer. Alternatively, you may be able to save it to a cloud location and download it that way.?

Android Users

You can use the Google Drive App to scan the pages of a single assignment.

You can find instructions here:? How to use Android Google Drive to scan documents

Once scanned, you can email a .pdf file to yourself, then open your email on your computer and download the .pdf file to your computer. Alternatively, you may be able to save it to a cloud location and download it that way.

Remember, you will upload your file(s) to the Apex Message Center using the next video "Sending Messages and Submitting Written Work."

Viewing Grades and Feedback in User Progress

Once you have submitted your assignments, you will want to be able to view your grades and feedback from your instructor. Your school will also be able to view your grades. Your school will also receive a final suggested grade from your instructor, but your school will determine your grade and credit for the school transcript.

Please watch the following videos to learn how to view your grades and instructor feedback.

Viewing Details and Feedback on Assignments and Quizzes	Reviewing Grades

Understanding the Course Widget
The Course Widget provides a quick view of your grade and pacing in the course. The progress shown in the course widget is 12-24 hours behind the grades provided within Class Progress/User Progress or Grades in the course. Note: The pacing in this widget only includes graded assignments and does not reflect progress through content or lessons. It may not match that of your Pacing Chart. Be sure to follow your Pacing Chart to ensure you meet course deadlines.

Understanding the Course Widget

The Course Widget provides a quick view of your grade and pacing in the course. The progress shown in the course widget is 12-24 hours behind the grades provided within Class Progress/User Progress or Grades in the course.

Note: The pacing in this widget only includes graded assignments and does not reflect progress through content or lessons. It may not match that of your Pacing Chart. Be sure to follow your Pacing Chart to ensure you meet course deadlines.