Blog Posts

At some point or another, we’ve all had the experience of misinterpreting the tone of an email or text message. Whether it is due to lack of punctuation, a questionable word choice, poor organisation or confusing sentence structure, it can sometimes be challenging to communicate effectively through email. This is why “netiquette” is an important component of teaching and learning at Ontario Virtual School and is part of online high school success.  

In today’s digital age, technology plays an important role. Not only does it impact how students learn, but it also affects traditional teaching methods (Alenezi et al., 2023). Tools such as computers, laptops, tablets, and educational software are now commonly used both in and out of the classroom, creating new opportunities for learning and skill development. Not only do these tools help to support more interactive learning experiences, they also help personalize learning (Haleem et al., 2022). This personalized approach helps students take more responsibility for their learning and use tools that meet their specific needs.

In today’s fast-changing world, it’s not just what students know that matters, but how they think, learn, and problem-solve. In fact, the researchers behind the Institute for Habits of Mind have identified 16 habits that form the basis for the behaviours, skills, and dispositions foundational to effective thinkers. This means that students who practice and hone these skills are more likely to be prepared for unfamiliar situations and more resilient in the real world.

Burnout seems to be everywhere – in headlines, blogs and stories with titles and catch phrases scary enough to sound like movie trailers. As a student, it can feel like you’re the main character in a suspense film, standing in front of a door that you feel like you shouldn’t open. You worry that opening the door to completing high school faster, setting bigger goals or staying ambitious will unleash burnout and undo your efforts, but this isn’t how the story has to go. Burnout is real and serious, but it is not inevitable. With the right approach to your studies you don’t have to open the door to burnout to reach your academic goals.

Education is about more than just school subjects and grades; it’s about how we learn, think, and share knowledge and values across generations. At the same time, formal education plays an important role by providing structure, guidance, and opportunities for students to develop essential skills. In Canada, learning has long been highly valued, with a strong emphasis on knowledge, critical thinking, and academic achievement, which are priorities that continue to shape our education system today.

While online learning is often associated with modern technology, its roots go back much further than many realize. In 1959, the University of Illinois created PLATO, a digital computer-based learning system that introduced many principles still used today (University of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering, 2020). Over 6 decades later, online education has grown drastically- online high school enrollment in Ontario increased by about 46% between 2018 and 2022 (State of the Nation, 2023). The foundational ideas of systems like PLATO remain relevant in virtual high schools in Ontario because they are effective.

So, after ample research and reading several reviews of current and former Ontario Virtual School (OVS) students you’ve decided to make the move to online learning. Welcome, we are glad you’re here! Our community of online learners and educators have undergone a similar transition and are always here to help!

The idea of the university is far from new. It dates back to the Middle Ages, when some of the world’s first centres of higher learning took shape in cities like Paris, Bologna, Montpellier, Oxford, and Salamanca. Closer to home, the oldest institution of higher learning in Canada dates back to 1663, with the Université of Laval having been founded by the Séminaire de Québec. Since that time, the desire for higher learning has flourished. Today Canada currently has 97 public universities with over 16,000 university programs to choose from. What is more, 9 Canadian universities are in the top 200 in the world, including 4 in the top 100!

Canada is known around the world for having school systems that support both high achievement and fair opportunities for students. We also take pride in being a multicultural country, where diversity is valued and protected. Across Canada, education is shaped by important national laws and policies, such as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as well as decisions related to child care, language rights, immigration, and Indigenous peoples.

On a recent trip to Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, I was reminded how incredible it is to be a Canadian citizen and how proud I am of the role that Canada plays on the global stage. As I was visiting various tourist attractions and significant sites around the city, I couldn’t help but reflect on all of the connections to the content of various online high school courses offered at Ontario Virtual School and their relevance to shaping students’ sense of identity, both nationally and internationally.

At Ontario Virtual School, we believe in empowering students through learning – and that includes language learning. So before you decide to close the door on studying a new language, take a moment to consider the lifelong benefit it offers. Your future self will thank you.

Here at Ontario Virtual School, we understand the concerns of these families, and want to answer their questions and put their minds at ease. Here are answers to questions we hear from families every day.

At some point or another, we’ve all had the experience of misinterpreting the tone of an email or text message. Whether it is due to lack of punctuation, a questionable word choice, poor organisation or confusing sentence structure, it can sometimes be challenging to communicate effectively through email. This is why “netiquette” is an important component of teaching and learning at Ontario Virtual School and is part of online high school success.  

Upon graduating high school, teachers are not only equipping students to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), but also to develop a range of skills that will guide them beyond their virtual high school online courses. As technology continues to shape how we learn, work and interact, many of these essential skills are connected to technology use. Whether it is using technology to enhance learning, or understanding how to use it responsibly, digital citizenship has become imperative to student success.

In today’s fast-changing world, it’s not just what students know that matters, but how they think, learn, and problem-solve. In fact, the researchers behind the Institute for Habits of Mind have identified 16 habits that form the basis for the behaviours, skills, and dispositions foundational to effective thinkers. This means that students who practice and hone these skills are more likely to be prepared for unfamiliar situations and more resilient in the real world.

Did you know – that according to UNESCO – there are more than 7000 languages spoken around the world today? With this increased diversity in the linguistic landscape, the need for cross-cultural understanding is more important than ever. While learning an additional language is not a new concept, there is now an increased benefit to learning a new language, as it provides the skills needed to build peace, tolerance and respect for differences both within and outside of the classroom. 

Ontario Virtual School offers a variety of courses, including Grade 11 and Grade 12 biology. Both grades offer college-level and university-level, in order to meet the needs of a wide variety of students. Biology is a fantastic subject to study, and a wonderful credit to have on your transcript, but what exactly can you do with it? Why should you study biology at OVS?

Did you know – that according to UNESCO – there are more than 7000 languages spoken around the world today? With this increased diversity in the linguistic landscape, the need for cross-cultural understanding is more important than ever. While learning an additional language is not a new concept, there is now an increased benefit to learning a new language, as it provides the skills needed to build peace, tolerance and respect for differences both within and outside of the classroom. 

You’re staring at your Grade 12 Advanced Functions course (MHF4U), the words and numbers are blurring together, and you’re pretty sure you’ve already read that last sentence, twice. Sound familiar? Studying is essential, but it doesn’t need to be painful. Some methods support your brain, while others can lead to burnout. At Ontario Virtual School, we’re here to help you learn study tips for online high school, and yes, that includes brain breaks, because who doesn’t love those?