ViSN: supporting Student Learning

The Virtual School Network (ViSN) is providing access to secondary courses through Catholic Education Western Australia’s (CEWA) LEADing Lights Office 365 technology platform.  In 2020, over 200 students from Catholic schools across the state will access 23 courses via this online format, well supported by qualified and experienced teachers in CEWA schools.

Originally created to meet a specific need in a remote WA town, ViSN has grown quickly in its two years of operation to provide quality online learning to students in more than 20 metropolitan, regional, rural and remote secondary schools.

CEWA schools are joining ViSN to offer their students a broader range of courses, to provide support for students not able to attend school in a traditional manner or to provide an experience that will better support student transition to post-secondary options.

Each day, students access their lessons using Microsoft Teams and OneNote and work independently or collaboratively with others from their course.  Teacher support is readily available daily during school hours and time is set aside weekly for all students and the teacher to meet online.

ViSN teaching practices focus on student collaboration and building strong connections between students and with teachers, so that they feel supported during their online studies.  The technology used is key to enabling this, which was recognized by the peak online learning organization, US Distance Learning Association (USDLA) earlier this year, awarding ViSN the K-12 Award for Innovation.

In February 2020, students and teachers will meet at the annual ViSN Camp held in Perth which is a great opportunity for teachers and students to get to know each other and to participate in experiences that may not be available in their own schools.

Students involved in ViSN have found their experience to be a positive one:

It’s a great way to learn in your own way and to meet your future career needs.

I find the teachers are always there if you need to ask them anything.

I'm really enjoying working at my own pace and taking in what I'm learning in a way that is most effective for me.”

ViSN is great as I can have independence with my learning.

For more information about ViSN, please visit https://leadinglights.cewa.edu.au/visn/