The reputation of the APEX Learning platform has been unfairly maligned. About APEX, opinions were mixed. It was believed that a real-life instructor had a lot more to contribute than could ever be provided by a computer program. This ignorance could be the case, particularly for someone who has never participated in the Academic Program for the Exceptional, also known as APEX.
Since 2012, the Mat-Su Borough School District has been utilizing the APEX system. Although it is designed specifically for secondary schools such as Valley Pathways and Burchell High School, APEX is utilized by students from all of the district’s middle and high schools. This information alone is enough to show the importance and involvement of the APEX Learning Platform in the student’s life.
The fact that APEX deviates significantly from the norm is the sole reason for its negative image. Traditionally, classes have consisted of a single instructor instructing several rows of pupils while sitting at desks in a single room. The APEX program handsomely debunks the hypothesis. Although an adult is present to provide supervision, students have unrestricted access to the computer and are free to work during class time.
APEX: A High-Quality Alternative to Traditional Classroom Learning
Students now have access to a high-quality alternative to the traditional classroom setting in virtual learning, which removes time and location constraints. Users of APEX have access to the same educational materials as other students, but they can move through the material at their own pace. The program provides study tools and reminders to help students prepare for online quizzes, diaries, and in-class conversations.
Yet, not every single one of the tasks is graded by a machine. Every single APEX student is paired with a specific instructor. These educators are responsible for teaching that particular class in both an in-person and an online setting. In addition to having the opportunity to have in-class conversations on the material being studied, students can exchange emails with their respective instructors.
An APEX class at Wasilla High School is taught by three different teachers, although students at WHS who enroll in APEX may or may not have the same teachers as those at Wasilla APEX. Educators teach the APEX curriculum from across the district.
A teacher selected and agrees to serve as a virtual teacher utilizing the APEX Curriculum outside of the usual workday is compensated with a stipend equal to $3,300 per semester, according to the most recent agreement reached between the Matanuska-Susitna Education Association and the Mat-Su Borough School District. The deal was reached between the Matanuska-Susitna Education Association and the Mat-Su Borough School District. If a teacher can successfully manage more than 25 or 30 pupils in their APEX classes, they are eligible for an increase in their base salary.
Reviews from APEX Teacher
Heather Pelletier, a teacher at Mat-Su iTech, stated that funds from the Legislative Department of Education fund the majority of the program’s costs. “The program would ordinarily cost the district thousands of dollars,” Pelletier said.
A teacher’s time on APEX each week is quite variable. There are times when many students hand in their work to be graded, and sometimes only a few do. The amount of time that teachers spend on APEX each week can range anywhere from two hours to ten hours.
Throughout the Mat-Su school district, 1,416 students are registered with at least one APEX course. A total of 2,272-course enrollments are accessible for students within the community. Only at Wasilla High School are 193 students participating in the APEX program.
Meanwhile, APEX teacher Sean Murphy, who also teaches social studies at Mat-Su Vocational and Technical High School, stated that the curriculum is ineffective for everyone.
“APEX is not a platform that I consider perfect for education, yet it does wonders for certain students. “It is a wonderful practice for afterwards online learning that students may confront when (or if) they go to college,” he added. “It allows for more selections and alternatives for a self-directed and focused learner, and it also allows for far more options and choices.”
APEX Learning Allows for Flexible and Accelerated Learning
Even though each APEX class is intended to be finished during one school semester, many students complete their work before the semester’s halfway point. If students follow this procedure, they can start another class during the same academic year or semester. If a student enrolls in an additional APEX class, the course can be carried over into the following school year to be finished. Students complete a test that is graded by the computer and difficulty that the instructor grades after each APEX unit. These examinations are the sole component of the lesson plan that necessitates the presence of a teacher. All the work needed in APEX can be done on any computer, at any time, and in any location. It is not bounded or limited to only examinations or tests.
Students who have not yet successfully obtained required course credits can get back on track for on-time graduation by utilizing the digital curriculum provided through APEX learning. The same benchmarks content that keeps students engaged and ensures they receive the original credit guarantees that all students can grasp the skills and ideas essential for future success.
To get kids back on their feet and succeed academically, an increasing number of secondary schools are providing non-traditional programs such as APEX digital learning. The curriculum and the opportunities it presents have become available in several locations worldwide. It is common knowledge that implementing APEX learning in Mat-Su schools is turning what was formerly thought to be a possibility only in the distant future into a reality in the educational landscape of the here and now.
The Squished Understanding
The article discusses the reputation of the APEX Learning platform and how it may be unjust. It highlights that while some people view the platform as subpar or ineffective, there are many success stories and positive experiences with the platform. The article suggests that the negative reputation may stem from a lack of understanding of using the platform effectively and encourages individuals to explore its capabilities before forming an opinion.