TEC Online Academy
About Us
History of TEC Online Academy
TEC is a regional collaborative comprised of 16 high performing school districts in the Metrowest area of Boston. One focus is to respond to the needs of the member districts and to provide leadership for educational initiatives.
In August of 2009, a meeting was held with representatives from the TEC member districts to explore the concept of online education for our students. Those present included superintendents, assistant superintendents, technology directors, school principals and members of the TEC staff. During this day long meeting discussion focused on:
- What are today's students and educators like as learners? What do they share in common?
- What are the benefits/downfalls for online education?
- What would be the characteristics of a collaborative online School?
- What steps should be taken to create an online model for a collaborative school?
At day's end, after lively discussion, it was determined that The Education Cooperative would provide the leadership for training 16 teachers who would form the foundation of the TEC Online Academy. A steering committee with representatives from the member towns was formed. The steering committee is comprised of assistant superintendents, high school principals and representatives from TEC. The committee meets monthly to make decisions and provide direction for the implementation of the academy.
To provide professional development for all participants, TEC formed a partnership with Education Development Center (EDC). Through EDC all members of the steering committee participated in an online training course entitled "Planning and Implementing Virtual School Programs". This course, which was conducted online, provided essential background for planning strategies to get a local virtual high school up and running.
The steering committee recognized that one step in building an online academy was to identify online instructors. Each administrator identified and invited a teacher who exemplified the qualities of an effective teacher. All online instructors participated in an "Online Course Design & Delivery" program. This prepared the teachers to design and develop content for the online course for the TEC Academy's Program of Studies.
The TEC online Academy is a dynamic entity. The steering committee will continue to meet to provide leadership in refining the course menu and evaluate feedback to provide more opportunities for online learning.