Frequently Asked Questions
Is DEP the right choice for our family?
Can International students take courses?
Can adults take DEP courses if they haven’t completed their K-12 Education?
Can I just take one course through DEP and still be registered in another school?
Can a student use DEP courses to Graduate or earn a Dogwood Diploma?
Can I transfer back to regular school from DL?
What are the benefits of enrolling in an online course?
What is a PEN and how is it different from a BCeSIS number?
Are DEP courses easier than the courses in regular high school?
Is it true that some universities and colleges may not accept DL credits?
What are the minimum technical requirements I need on my computer?
How many hours a week should I expect to spend on the course?
Do I have to attend regularly?
Do I have to be online at specific times?
Is DEP the right choice for our family?
The decision to be involved in DEP should not be entered into casually. Parents facilitate their child’s educational program ensuring that: assignments are understood; work is completed to an acceptable standard; and, work samples or assignments are submitted on an ongoing basis.
Parents need to be patient and prepared to take the time needed to constantly motivate their children to learn and achieve goals.
Who can take DEP Courses?
We provide courses to Grade 10-12 students in
·To take a course not offered in your school;
·To take a course that doesn’t fit your timetable; or,
·To complete a course at your own speed
Are there any costs?
No. All courses are free for School District 79 students who are resident in
Can International students take courses?
In many cases, yes. Particularly if a course is not available to a student in their school.
Can adults take DEP courses if they haven’t completed their K-12 Education?
Yes.
Can I just take one course through DEP and still be registered in another school?
Yes, if you are in Grade 10 to 12 or an Adult student you can be cross enrolled to DEP.
Can a student use DL courses to Graduate or earn a Dogwood Diploma?
Yes. We can help students earn a regular Dogwood or an Adult Dogwood. All of our courses are fully accredited with the Ministry of Education.
Can I transfer back to regular school from DEP?
You may transfer back to regular public school at any time. At year end, the transition is automatic upon completion of a grade or courses. During the year, students may transfer in or out of DL, and the matching of curriculum will be determined by DEP teachers for incoming students. The match for student leaving DEP and entering regular schools will be the receiving school’s responsibility.
How do I register?
Information and DEP registration forms are available through secondary school counselors.
What are the benefits of enrolling in an online course?
Our staff are well-trained to work with students to develop a learning plan suited to your needs.
What is a PEN and how is it different from a BCeSIS number?
PEN is short for Provincial Education Number. This number is provided to each student in
The
Are DEP courses easier than the courses in regular high school?
All DEP courses must meet the same Ministry of Education curriculum expectations as regular schools. You should expect the same time commitment as students in regular schools. Teachers follow the same curriculum and assessment practices. There is more flexibility in how you can take DEP courses and we may have some courses that students cannot get in their home school.
Is it true that some universities and colleges may not accept DEP credits?
The
What are the minimum technical requirements I need on my computer?
High speed internet connect is recommended
PC Users – Windows 2000 or better. Computers should have at least 1GB of RAM and 30GB of hard drive space. PCs require a sound card.
MAC Users – Mac OSX 10.2 or better. Computers should have at least 1GB of RAM and 30GB of hard drive space.
How many hours a week should I expect to spend on the course?
The actual amount will vary depending upon the course, and will be equivalent to the time you would spend in a face-to-face course plus additional time for studying and homework. However, not all of this time will be online. Your time will be spread between course reading, and assignments. Your teacher will provide you with specific expectations of daily or weekly assignments that you must complete.
Do I have to attend regularly?
Yes, but your attendance is different with DL. Your attendance may be evidenced by your regular contributions to online discussions or email reflections to your teacher as well as regularly logging into your course.
Do I have to be online at specific times?
This depends on your course style you choose and the requirements for the course. Many self-paced courses do not have online meeting expectations.
When can I start?
Most online courses start at the beginning of each semester (early September for Semester 1 and early February for Semester 20. Self-paced courses may be started at any time. Course results are sent to students upon completion of a course. Regular progress reports are also issued for online teacher directed courses.
How are parents involved?
Students taking secondary school courses usually work independently on their courses in consultation with their teacher. However, home educated children often depend upon their parent(s) to structure day-to-day learning. Parents or guardians are expected to provide an email contact and should expect emails from teachers to inform them about how the student is progressing. Parents and guardians can assist students by monitoring time and work completed. Parental help may not be possible in some courses and may not be required but parents play a huge role in helping their child be successful. Note that parental and student emails are only used for school purposes.