ACCESS

In my last blog, I promised the next post would be about ACCESS. The Alabama Connecting Classroom, Educators and Students Statewide(ACCESS), is an amazing online program that allows students to take courses and interact with teachers through technology by the web. ACCESS works with high school students and offers advanced diplomas, which are required by the state, AP courses, distance learning, additional courses and electives that may not normally be available, and remedial classes for those who may need extra help.

Students are able to converse with teachers face-to-face and ask questions when help is needed. The distance learning is especially welcome for students who live out in rural areas if no high school or transportation is available; they can participate in general courses, AP courses, electives, interact with teachers, and receive their diploma all from home. It can be either synchronous or asynchronous learning. Technologically, the students who use ACCESS will have a slight advantage over traditional classroom students because they will have had more experience learning online. All a student has to do to sign up for ACCESS is to be registered with the public high school in their area.

ACCESS is not only beneficial to the students, but also to the teachers who use it, by providing them with additional technology and tools to better educate their students. The teachers receive specific training to be able to operate the teaching systems within the ACCESS program. ACCESS is an Alabama statewide program that gives both students and teachers better opportunities to enhance education as much as possible.