Science On-line

The science website at Cobourg District Collegiate Institute West in Cobourg, Ontario does far more than show head-and-shoulders shots of the department's teachers and list the courses available. It acts as a valuable resource for parents and students alike, providing lists of homework assignments, lesson outlines, review and extension topics, research sources for advanced work, and results of tests and assignments. Students can also email their teachers for help with course material.

"Parents want to be kept informed about their child's progress at school," explains John Cordukes, science teacher at the school, who co-developed the site. "Teachers are asked to communicate regularly with parents, let them know what the assignments are and if their child is having difficulties."

The website is one way Cordukes fulfils that expectation. Parents can visit the site at their convenience to review course material and check test results.

At the same time, the site allows students to take ownership of their learning. "I think student-guided learning, such as is available on the school's science website - where they can travel through concepts at a comfortable pace - creates ownership in the learning that builds motivation in the student. This, in turn, drives the student-guided learning on further," says Cordukes.