You’ll Be More Independent
Right from the beginning, you’ll have all the course materials available online.  The course syllabus includes assignments and due dates.  You’ll need to develop a work plan of what’s due when and submit your work on time.  Your teacher will help you keep on schedule, answer your questions, and grade your work.

You’ll Interact with Your Class Primarily Online
Your teacher will interact with you primarily through email, online discussions, and comments on your assignments.  You’ll read your teacher’s feedback on your returned work, ask questions over email, and participate in the online discussions.  You can also get questions answered over the phone by calling your teacher during your teacher’s office hours.

You’ll Go Online to Learn
Every course requires both online and offline work.  For instance, you’ll go online to watch multimedia presentations, do computer-graded online exercises, or participate in online discussions.  Other times, you might go online to pick up an assignment, then study or work offline.  You might read a chapter from a book and write an essay, or do a set of math problems and then submit them to your Online Instructor for grading.

You Can Check Your Progress at Any Time
You can check your progress and grades online.  Your Mentor is a teacher or administrator in your school who has been assigned to help you through the course.  Your Mentor will meet with you regularly, check your progress and grades online, and stay in contact with your Online Teacher.

Q: Is there an orientation session for online courses?

Directions to access the orientation module will be included in the course materials if applicable.  Some courses may require a face to face orientation meeting if they are taught locally.

Q: Is there a cost for courses?

Course costs are listed in the Course Catalog.  Local School Systems may offer scholarships or local funding to cover the cost of courses.  Please check with the Site Coordinator to determine the total cost before completing the Registration form.

Q: Do I need to physically sit in a school building to take a class?

Local school systems will decide the attendance policy for students enrolled in Maryland Virtual Learning Opportunities courses as part of their regular daily class schedule.  Check with your guidance counselor and/or Site Coordinator to see if you are required to be present at your school or may take the course off-campus. If you are taking courses during the summer, you do not have to be in a school building to take Maryland Virtual Learning Opportunities courses.

Q: What are the technical requirements for accessing the online course?

Students must have regular access to a computer with reliable Internet service.  You must also have an e-mail account that can be accessed from school.  E-mail accounts are not for personal use and should be used for the online classes only.  Lastly, your computer should have a Java Capable Browser (i.e. Internet Explorer, Netscape, Safari, etc.)  Click on the Technical Requirements link for more specific information.

Q: Do I have to login to my course every day?

Yes, you must have daily access to a reliable computer with Internet connection to enter your course.  You’ll need at least 50 minutes of Internet time every day during school, plus extra time for homework.  Plan to spend 10-15 hours a week, including homework, for each AP course and 8-10 hours for other subjects.  And, if you’re taking an AP course, be prepared to tackle college-level work!

Q: How many courses can I take at one time?

You will work with your guidance counselor, parent/guardian, and Site Coordinator to determine the number of classes you need to take online as part of your regular school schedule.  The MVLO program is for supplemental instruction- students cannot earn a high school diploma solely completing online courses.

Q: Now that I have registered, what do I do next?

Once enrolled in the course, the student will receive an email to confirm their registration.  Test the Username and Password provided by trying to log into the course (instructions on how to sign into the course should be provided).  Directions to access the orientation module should also be included if applicable.  Some courses may include the date and location of a face to face orientation meeting if they are taught locally.  Check with your Mentor about accessing or receiving your course materials and/or textbook before the start of the course.

Q: Will I have a local person to contact with questions about the course or problems I am encountering?

Yes, each public school with students enrolled in the Maryland Virtual Learning Opportunities program will have a staff member assigned to work as a Mentor to help answer questions, solve problems, and check to make sure work is completed.

Q: Do I have a real teacher?

Yes, a highly qualified certified teacher will be your instructor for the course(s).  You will communicate with them via the course, email, and phone.  Remember, they could be located anywhere.  Please communicate with your Online Teacher should you experience any problems or delays in the course.

Q: What is the structure of a course?

Your teacher will contact you via email and post announcements on the homepage of your course(s).  All course work will be delivered and completed via the Internet.  Every course requires both online and offline work.  For instance, you’ll go online to watch multimedia presentations, do computer-graded online exercises, or participate in online discussions.  Other times, you might go online to pick up an assignment, then study or work offline.  You might read a chapter from a book and write an essay, or do a set of math problems and then submit them to your Online Instructor for grading.

Q: What are the student’s responsibilities during the MVLO Registration process?

The student will:

• Work with staff at the school and the parent/guardian to determine whether the desired online course is appropriate.
• Indicate interest by completing the MVLO Student Enrollment Request form.
• Read and review the MVLO Student Responsibilities document with a parent/guardian.
• Complete the MVLO Student Participation Agreement form and MVLO Academic Integrity and Ethics Policy form if the school approves the request.  Turn the completed forms into the guidance counselor.
• Complete the Online Registration form with help from the Mentor or Site Coordinator if needed.
• Review the enrollment email and login to the online course.  Complete the online orientation module or attend the face to face orientation if applicable.
• Review the course expectations and course calendar with your Mentor.
• Set up a regularly scheduled class period and a dedicated computer to use during the class day.

Q: What are the parent/guardian’s responsibilities during the MVLO Registration process?

The parent/guardian will:

• Work with staff at the school to determine whether the desired online course is appropriate.
• Review and sign the MVLO Student Enrollment Request form.
• Review the MVLO Student Responsibilities document with the student.
• Review and sign the MVLO Student Participation Agreement form and MVLO Academic Integrity and Ethics Policy form if the school approves the request.  Turn the completed forms into the guidance counselor.
• If the course will be accessed from home, help to determine that the computer meets the technical requirements displayed.
• Complete the parent online orientation module or attend the face to face orientation if applicable.
• Communicate with staff at the school and/or Online Instructor as appropriate.

Q: What is the local school system’s commitment to the MVLO program?

Each participating school will be responsible for coordinating the following MVLO services at the local school:

• Work with staff at the school to determine whether the desired online course is appropriate.
• Coordinate securing of student services.
• Coordinate proctoring of MVLO exams.
• Support and monitor provisions for technical assistance.
• Oversee student access to necessary course materials and functionality.

Q: Whom do I contact for more information?
Submit a question online to