In brief, Valley Voyages is…
“a place-based, technology-driven independent study elective designed to regularly expose students to field based experiences and events, in which they meet with subject matter experts.”
Because…
“Nordonia High School will have first-class standards and expectations; incorporate social and cultural values while respecting individual diversity; and provide a safe secure learning environment. Using meaningful activities and technologies, we will continuously strive to raise these standards, expectations and support lifelong learning in our community.”
As such…
Valley Voyages fulfills this vision by integrating new methods, tools, contacts, and media for the students. Our course takes students for field studies with experts about once a month.
Before each trip, students prepare with text and electronic information provided by instructors. After each trip students journal responses, and discuss ideas on a course blog or discussion forum that may or may not be open to the public depending on topic.
At the conclusion of the trips, students submit inquiry projects that consider how to make improvements upon and/or move forward with the community interventions in the area of their choice. The projects are required to contain written reports, electronic, presentations, and oral interviews.
All students will present their work before a distinguished panel at the end of the school year. Valley Voyages meets most of the ODE Social Studies standards, with emphasis on local history and the skills and methods standards.
In our first year of the program we have seen marked improvements in the students thinking and writing.
