Student Handbook

Student Handbook

What is AMDEC?

Continuous Intake Non-Semestered Courses

Semestered Courses

AMDEC'S Two Components: Your Course Website & Red Apple Office

When your registration is complete, you will be provided with a Username and password that will allow you to complete the Orientation process. Once you have completed Orientation, you can work on course material at any time of day, and from anywhere, provided you have a computer and Internet access.

There are two components to your online course:

Your course website is where you will find announcements from your teacher, access your course material (lessons, assignments, and readings), and participate in class chats and online discussions. You will also find announcements from the AMDEC principal and AMDEC guidance on your AMDEC School page of your course website. Note: The address for your course website is https://amdsb.elearningontario.ca/ All assignments will be submitted to your teacher through your course website.
Front Desk (Red Apple Office) is AMDEC's web-based student tracking system that students, parents and schools can use to access the following information:Student Details: Review student details including course enrolment, personal and parent/guardian contact information.
Module Completion: View which modules you have submitted (S), which modules have been marked (M), and which modules are incomplete or still in progress (I). Please note that there will be a time lag (usually a couple of days) between the time you submit work or receive a returned assignment and the time your teacher records it in this system.

Achievement: Review report card marks, comments and learning skills. Your midterm and progress 2 report cards will be emailed to your course email. Your final report card will be mailed to your home address via Canada Post.

To access Front Desk, go to https://rao.amdsb.ca/frontdesk/login.asp Follow the instructions for First Time Visitors in this pdf. The student and parent email addresses that you enter a must match the addresses you provided on the student registration. This is how the system verifies your account and sends an email to your external email address with your Front Desk login information. External email refers to your non-course portal email account that you provided upon registration. Note: Students in the Avon Maitland board will use their GAFE email accounts as their external email.

Registering for AMDEC Courses

How to be a Successful Online Learner

Important Dates

Holidays & PA Days

How Much Time Will a Course Take?

Course Website and Red Apple Office (FrontDesk)

AMDEC Teachers

Teacher Office Hours

Announcements & Schedules

Attendance

Attendance - Non-Semestered Courses

You must login and work on your Non-semestered course at least once every week. If you have more than one Non-semestered AMDEC course, you must login and work on each course at least once weekly.

In order to be recorded as 'present' in your online class, you must do at least one of the following each week in each of your AMDEC courses:

Submit work to a dropbox in your course or complete an online quiz or test
Login and complete work in your course (i.e. review your lessons, attend a class chat, participate in an online discussion or email your teacher, etc.)

If you will be away or unable to login to your course(s) for seven consecutive days or more, you must receive approval from the AMDEC vice principal at least three school days before a planned absence. In order for the administration to consider your request, you must be up-to-date with module completion. Use the link found in the Contact AMDEC drop-down on your 'Course Home' page to email the vice principal.

Attendance - Semestered Courses

You must login and work on your Semestered course every school day. If you have more than one Semestered AMDEC course, you must login and work on each course every school day.

In order to be recorded as 'present' in your online class, you must do at least one of the following each day in each of your AMDEC courses:

Submit work to a dropbox in your course or complete an online quiz or test
Login and complete work in your course (i.e. review your lessons, attend a class chat, participate in an online discussion or email your teacher from your course email, etc.)

Contact AMDEC

Important Announcements

Module Completion Requirements & Due Dates

Module Completion Requirements and Due Dates - Non Semestered Courses

Students are responsible for establishing a schedule that meets both AMDEC’s due dates (outlined in the chart below) and their own needs (e.g., completing the course by the end of first semester or meeting post-secondary mark submission deadlines). Your schedule should always keep you well ahead of the due dates given below. Students are encouraged to complete their course(s) prior to the final due date.

Except in exceptional circumstances (e.g., illness) and where an extension has been granted by the AMDEC vice principal, if a student fails to participate in their course(s) weekly, and/or fails to meet the due dates posted below, the student risks being removed from the course(s).

Due Dates and Information for Non-Semestered Courses Due dates are determined by the month when the student is granted access to the course.
Modules up to and including	September Start Date	October Start Date	November Start Date	December Start Date	January Start Date	February Start Date
Module 5	Oct. 26/18	Nov. 23/18	Dec. 21/18	Jan. 25/19	Feb. 22/19	Mar. 8/19
Module 10	Dec. 22/18	Feb. 8/19	Feb. 15/19	Mar. 1/19	Mar. 29/19	Apr. 4/19
Module 15	Mar. 22/19	Apr. 12/19	Apr. 18/19	Apr. 18/19	Apr. 26/19	May 3/19
Module 18	May 24/19	May 24/19	May 24/19	May 24/19	May 24/19	May 24/19
Module 20	June 7/19	June 7/19	June 7/19	June 7/19	June 7/19	June 7/19
Exam	No later than June 11	No later than June 11	No later than June 11	No later than June 11	No later than June 11	No later than June 11
Report cards will be issued after Module 10, 15, and when the course is completed or when the due date has passed, whichever comes first. Interim Progress information will be available for viewing after Module 5
The last day to register for non-semestered AMDEC courses for the 2018-2019 school year is February 15, 2019. All required paperwork must be submitted before 4:00 p.m. on February 20, 2019.
Regardless of start date, all students must have a minimum of 18 modules per course completed by May 24, 2019.
June 7, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. is the last day on which submissions of term work will be accepted.
The last day to write a final exam for a non-semestered course is June 11, 2019. Completed final exams must arrive at the AMDEC office no later than 3:00 p.m. on June 13, 2019..

Maximum module submission per week for non-semestered courses
Sept 4, 2018 - May 24, 2019	2 modules per week per course
May 25, 2018 - June 7, 2019	1 module per week per course

Note: For GLC2O & CHV2O, students are expected to complete at least half the number of modules for each due date listed above.

Module Completion Requirements & Due Dates – Semestered Courses

While your teacher will provide you with reminders regarding your due dates through News postings and/or emails, it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure that you are meeting your deadlines
If you submit assignments after their posted due dates, possible consequences of submitting late assignments could include mark deductions, limited or no feedback being given or the assignment being checked for completion only.

It is very important that you are aware of your due dates and plan your time accordingly so that you are able to meet them.

Late Assignments

Report Cards

Report Cards - Non-Semestered Courses

AMDEC will issue three reports on your achievement.

Your early progress report will be available for you to view in the Front Desk tracking system only. Your Midterm report cards will be sent as an email attachment to your assigned AMDSB GAFE email. Your final report card will be mailed to your home address. All reports may be viewed in Front Desk.

Interim When you have completed the first 5 modules of the course, or you have reached your Module 5 due date (whichever comes first), comments regarding your progress will be posted in Front Desk.
Midterm When you have completed one half of the course work, or you have reached your Module 10 due date (whichever comes first), you will receive your first Ontario Provincial Report Card.
Progress Report # 2 When you have completed 15 modules of the course work, or you have reached your Module 15 due date (whichever comes first), you will receive your second Ontario Provincial Report Card.
Final Report When you have completed all of the course work and the final examination or assessment, or the school year ends, you will receive your final Ontario Provincial Report Card.

Note: GLC2O & CHV2O, students will receive only a Midterm report after the completion of Module 5 or after their Module 5 due date (whichever comes first) and a Final report after the completion of the course or the end of the school year (whichever comes first).

Using their professional judgment, teachers assign progress marks and final grades that represent the student’s most consistent overall level of achievement with emphasis on the more recent assessment. They then convert the levels to percentage grades.
Level 4            80% - 100%
Level 3            70% - 79%
Level 2            60% - 69%
Level 1            50% - 59%
R         failing grade of less than 50%
Mid-term, Progress 2 and final reports will also include grading of student learning skills and work habits. Instead of receiving numerical grades in these categories, students will be given descriptors, from “needs improvement” to “excellent.”

Report Cards - Semestered Courses

AMDEC will issue three reports on your achievement.

Early Progress Report On October 6^th you will recieve your Semester 1 Interim Report Card
On March 9^th you will recieve your Semester 2 Interim Report Card
Mid-Term Report On November 14^th you will recieve your Semester 1 Ontario Provincial Report Card.
On April 24^th you will recieve your Semester 2 Ontario Provincial Report Card.
Final Report On February 6^th you will be sent your Semester 1 final Ontario Provincial Report Card.
On June 21^stth you will be sent your Semester 2 final Ontario Provincial Report Card.

Level 4 - 80%-100%
Level 3 - 70% - 79%
Level 2 - 60% - 69%
Level 1 - 50% - 59%
R - failing grade of less than 50%

Mid-term, Progress 2 and final reports will also include grading of student learning skills and work habits. Instead of receiving numerical grades in these categories, students will be given descriptors, from “needs improvement” to “excellent.”

Learning Skills & Work Habits

Each learning skill will be evaluated as: excellent, good, satisfactory or needs improvement.

Responsibility

The Student

fulfills responsibilities and commitments within the learning environment;
completes and submits class work, homework, and assignments according to agreed-upon timelines;
takes responsibility for and manages own behaviour.

Organization

The Student

devises and follows a plan and process for completing work and tasks;
establishes priorities and manages time to complete tasks and achieve goals;
identifies, gathers, evaluates, and uses information, technology, and resources to complete tasks.

Independent Work

The Student

independently monitors, assesses, and revises plans to complete tasks and meet goals;
uses class time appropriately to complete tasks;
follows instructions with minimal supervision.

Collaboration

The Student

accepts various roles and an equitable share of work in a group;
responds positively to the ideas, opinions, values, and traditions of others;
builds healthy peer-to-peer relationships through personal and media-assisted interactions;
works with others to resolve conflicts and build consensus to achieve group goals;
shares information, resources, and expertise and promotes critical thinking to solve problems and make decisions.

Initiative

The Student

looks for and acts on new ideas and opportunities for learning;
demonstrates the capacity for innovation and a willingness to take risks;
demonstrates curiosity and interest in learning;
approaches new tasks with a positive attitude;
recognizes and advocates appropriately for the rights of self and others.

Self-regulation

The Student

sets own individual goals and monitors progress towards achieving them;
seeks clarification or assistance when needed;
assesses and reflects critically on own strengths, needs, and interests;
identifies learning opportunities, choices, and strategies to meet personal needs and achieve goals;
perseveres and makes an effort when responding to challenges.

Assessment & Evaluation

Assessment and Evaluation

Students are assessed and evaluated on their work to help them know what is required to improve. Teachers plan assessments in accordance with the Avon Maitland District School assessment and evaluation policies. Students have significant responsibilities for assessment and evaluation and are expected to:

communicate with teachers in advance when legitimate difficulties interfere with meeting deadlines;
complete and submit assignments according to their posted deadlines;
understand the role of the categories of the Achievement Chart in order to help them identify areas of strength and weakness;
develop time management skills and set goals for academic success;
view assessments as a way to help achieve better results when their work is evaluated;
request teacher assistance when needed;
think about and use teacher feedback to improve grades;
understand that teachers are responsible for teaching a specific curriculum and have administrative deadlines for assessment and evaluation.

Information adapted from “The Learning Consortium: Building Quality Learning Environments”

Module Completion Schedule

Your course contains many lessons, activities and assignments. Unless otherwise indicated, you will be responsible for reviewing and understanding all of the lessons on all 'Content' pages of the course. It is important to understand that, in some cases, you will not be required to complete all of the assignments in the course. Your teacher decides which of the assignments need to be completed as part of the course requirements. He or she then divides your course into 20 modules, or chunks. A chart called the Module Completion schedule for your course specifies which assignments are to be completed and submitted for each module. This chart is posted in 'Class Resources' area on your 'Course Home' page in your course. It is crucial that you follow the Module Completion schedule carefully.

You should print the Module Completion schedule and refer to it often. It will tell you which assignments you need to complete and how they will be assessed. You can print the Assessment and Evaluation schedule for your course by scrolling down to the bottom of the chart and locating the 'Download' button. Download the chart, save it on your hard drive and print the saved document from the hard drive of your computer.

Formative vs. Summative Assessment

Online Discussions

Tests

Saving & Protecting Your Work

Acceptable File Formats

Document File Names

Sending Emails

Submitting Assignments to Your Teacher

Math & Science Courses

Math Courses

The technology surrounding math courses presents a unique challenge to our students. Therefore, students taking math courses must have access to a scanner so their assignments can be scanned to PDF and submitted to the dropboxes for their course.

Science Courses

Students may be required to perform scientific experiments or work on laboratory type tasks. Parents are required to ensure that adult supervision is provided for these activities if they are completed at home.

Examinations

Examination Dates

Exam Proctor Information

Final Examination Procedures - Outside AMDSB

1. When you are at Module 15 for your course, or at least three weeks prior to examination date (whichever comes first):

Non-Semestered Courses: Contact your school contact at your enroling school to make arrangements for writing your exam(s). Your school contact is found in the Front Desk tracking system by clicking on Student Details and looking at the School Guidance Contact Email field. Then, send your AMDEC teacher an email indicating the name of the school contact you spoke with at your school to make your exam arrangements and the date you have arranged to write your exam.
Semestered Courses: Contact your school contact at your enroling school to make arrangements to write your exam(s) on the date specified by your AMDEC teacher. Your school contact is found in the Front Desk tracking system by clicking on Student Details and looking at the School Guidance Contact Email field. Then, send your AMDEC teacher an email indicating the name of the school contact you spoke with at your school to make your exam arrangements and confirm the date you have arranged to write your exam is on the date your teacher has set.

2. One to two weeks prior to the examination date:

Non-Semestered Courses: Confirm your exam date and time with your proctor. If there are any changes to your originally scheduled exam date, send an email to your AMDEC teacher indicating the revised date you will write your exam. Be sure to give your AMDEC teacher at least one week's notice of the revised exam date. Please remember that the official proctor for your exam is the person AMDEC has on record as your school contact. This is the only person to whom AMDEC will email your final exam.
Semestered Courses: Confirm your exam arrangements with your proctor.

3. Two days before the examination is scheduled to be written:

Both non-semestered and semestered courses: Your teacher will email your exam (including a page of instructions for your exam proctor) to your school contact, who will print the exam for you to write. Contact your school contact/proctor to confirm that the examination has been received. If your school contact has not received your examination, please notify your teacher immediately.

4. The day of the examination:

Both non-semestered and semestered courses: Arrive at the examination location at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time of the examination. If the proctor does not know you, bring photo identification to verify your identity.

Your school contact is responsible for sending the completed examination and the Examination Declaration form to AMDEC (sending by trackable courier is highly recommended). Instructions for doing so are included on the page of instructions sent to the proctor along with your exam). AMDEC will not be responsible for any expenses incurred for writing your exams or sending your exams to the AMDEC office. The final day on which students may write an exam is June 11, 2019. Your written examinations must be received in our AMDEC office no later than 3:00 p.m. on June 13, 2019.

Your Final Report Card

Your final mark will not be awarded unless our office has received both the original, written copy of the examination and the signed Examination Declaration Form.

Final Examination Procedures - Inside AMDSB

Students from AMDSB who plan to write their final AMDEC exam before June 1 will follow a different set of procedures than an AMDSB student who plans to write their AMDEC exam between June 1 and June 12.

If you plan to write your exam before June 1 follow the 4 steps below. If you plan to write your final exam after June 1, scroll down to find your instructions.

Writing an AMDEC exam before June 1 (non-semestered courses only):

When you are at Module 15 for your course, or at least three weeks prior to examination date (whichever comes first):

Contact your guidance counsellor to make arrangements for your AMDEC exam(s). Then, send your AMDEC teacher an email indicating that you have contacted your proctor and made arrangements to write your exam. Then, send your AMDEC teacher an email indicating the name of the school contact you spoke with at your school to make your exam arrangements and the date you have arranged to write your exam.

One to two weeks prior to the examination date:

Confirm your exam date and time with your proctor. If there are any changes to your originally scheduled exam date, send an email to your AMDEC teacher indicating the revised date you will write your exam. Be sure to give your AMDEC teacher at least one week's notice of the revised exam date.

Two days before the examination is scheduled to be written:

Your AMDEC teacher will email your exam (including a page of instructions for your exam proctor) to your AMDSB AMDEC exam contact, who will print the exam and give it to your exam proctor.
Contact your proctor to confirm that the examination has been received. If your school contact has not received your examination, please notify your teacher immediately.

The day of the examination:

Arrive at the examination location at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time of the examination. If the proctor does not know you, bring photo identification to verify your identity.

Your AMDSB AMDEC exam contact is responsible for sending your completed examination to the AMDEC Office in the AMDSB courier.

Writing a final exam between June 8 and June 11 (both non-semestered and semestered courses):

The AMDEC office will print your exam and send it to your school. Your school will make arrangements for you to write your final exam(s) at your school on June 11,2019. You are responsible for contacting your guidance counsellor or your AMDSB AMDEC Exam contact to determine the date, time and location of your final exam. Your written examinations must be received in our AMDEC office no later than 3:00 p.m. on June 13, 2019.

Your final mark in your AMDEC course will not be awarded unless our office has received both the original, written copy of the examination and the signed Examination Declaration Form (for exams written before June 1) or the exam sign in page (for exams written after June 1).

AMDEC Guidance

How can the Guidance Office Help?

Ontario Secondary School Diploma Requirements

Timetable/Course Changes

Adding a Course

Withdrawing From (Dropping) a Course

Ontario Student Transcript & Full Disclosure

Requesting an Ontario Student Transcript

Personal Issues & Confidentiality

Applying to College or University

Begin your post-secondary research by exploring the many resources offered through the Ontario College Application System (OCAS) and the Ontario University Application Centre (OUAC). Be diligent in your attention to detail and your communication with the Guidance Office at your enrolling school in order for your university or college application process to proceed accurately.

When applying to a college or university in the province of Ontario, you will apply through OCAS or OUAC. It is very important that you understand the application process, that you observe important dates, and that you communicate your plans with the guidance office at your home school. If you are applying to college or university for the upcoming winter or fall session, you should make sure to inform your AMDEC teacher(s) that you have, or plan to apply for college or university acceptance.

Please understand that it is your responsibility to ensure that you are aware of all OUAC and OCAS mark submission dates. It is also your responsibility to make sure that all required work is completed and submitted at least 2 weeks prior to OUAC/OCAS mark submission dates so your mark will be available in time for the mark submission dates.

Concurrent (shared) registrants: AMDEC students who are registered with AMDEC through their local secondary school must apply to OUAC or OCAS through their local/ home school. Your local/home school will submit your information and marks (including marks in your AMDEC course) to OUAC or OCAS.

Non-concurrent registrants (students whose Ontario School Record is being held by AMDEC): It is important that you inform the AMDEC Guidance Office as soon as you start your AMDEC courses that you have applied, or plan to apply, to OUAC or OCAS. AMDEC is able to electronically transmit transcripts and mark updates to OCAS and OUAC only for students who are enrolled directly with AMDEC, and not enrolled concurrently with another school. Students need to watch the Guidance Office area found in the AMDEC - General Information and Resources widget on their 'Course Home' page of their course for postings about the application process.

Students with Special Learning Needs

Academic Honesty

Definition of Academic Dishonesty

Basic Tips on Avoiding Claims of Dishonesty

Consequences for Academic Dishonesty

Communication Protocol

Improving communication skills is a key focus for the Avon Maitland District School Board. Therefore, all AMDEC communications should reflect the writer’s best use of writing rules and conventions. Each student is unique and different from every other person. In order for students and teachers to work together successfully, given our individual differences, we must practice common courtesy and display good manners in all our interactions with each other and this is even more important in an online learning environment. In order to be a successful online communicator, keep in mind the following:

You are expected to be courteous and considerate in your dealings with others.
You are not permitted to harass others verbally or physically nor are you allowed to use profane or improper language during chats, email or any other personal or electronic communication.
While personal email communication often involves short forms, creative spelling and slang, you are reminded that AMDEC is a school. Any and all communication with your teachers, the principal, the vice principal, the coordinator, the Guidance office, the office, and/or tech staff must be in full sentences and include appropriate grammar, punctuation and correct spelling. Include a meaningful subject line with every email that you send.
You are not to give any personal information to your classmates. As with any online environment, you should never give out your address, telephone number, personal email address or descriptive personal information about yourself. Whenever you voluntarily disclose personal information online (e.g., on social networking sites, blogs, through email, or in chat areas) that information can be collected and used by others. In short, if you post personal information online that is accessible to the public, you may receive unsolicited messages from other parties in return. Ultimately, you are solely responsible for maintaining the secrecy of your passwords and/or any account information. Please be careful and responsible whenever you're online.
You are required to communicate with your teacher with the same degree of respect that is required in a traditional classroom setting. If you are disrespectful in an email, a chat, or in the discussion area, a copy of the email or chat will be forwarded to AMDEC's principal, vice principal and/or coordinator. Where appropriate, your school and parent(s)/guardian(s) (if you are under 18) will also be informed. You will be warned about unacceptable behaviour and in some cases suspended. If the behaviour persists, you will be removed from the course.
Class chats and discussions are places for discussion related to the course, not for conversations of a personal nature. "Spamming" is strictly prohibited; that is, you are not allowed to send messages to all people in the class or others within our communication system.
Signature lines are sometimes used to add “personality” to emails. AMDEC is a public secondary school, and staff and students are expected to be empathetic and respectful toward one another. Therefore, you should avoid including an opinion or sentiment in the signature line of your emails. If you use a signature line, it should be restricted to your name and a list of your AMDEC courses. The privilege of adding a signature line to your emails may be taken away if it is misused.
Students are not permitted to email, chat or correspond with other students within their course unless under the direct supervision of an AMDEC teacher or administrator.

Online Do's

Online Don'ts

Minimum System Requirements

Macintosh Computers

Internet Access

Virus Protection

Software

Pop-up Blockers

Tech Support

Orientation Email Website Link

Handbook Sections

Welcome to AMDEC

Summary of Important Dates – Continuous Intake Non-Semestered Courses

Important Dates-Semestered Courses

Teachers & Class Information

Attendance - Non-Semestered Courses

Attendance - Semestered Courses

Modules & Assignments

Module Completion Requirements and Due Dates - Non Semestered Courses

Module Completion Requirements & Due Dates – Semestered Courses

Late Assignments– Non Semestered Courses

Late Assignments– Semestered Courses

Report Cards - Non-Semestered Courses

Report Cards - Semestered Courses

Assessment and Evaluation

Module Completion Schedule

Math Courses

Science Courses

Final Assessments & Exams

Non-Semestered Courses

Semestered Courses

Student Resources

Course Information

Academic Honesty

Online Communication

Technical Guide

AMDEC on Twitter

AMDEC

Accessibility

Technical Support

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