Students participate in directed study

By Catherine Brown, Photo & Business Editor

With distanced learning, classes have changed. With the extra time spent at home, the school has added directed study to the curriculum, allowing students to take extra classes, or learn new skills.

“Directed study is a bit like ‘independent study,’ where students are proposing something they want to learn… and laying out a specific plan for how they will… do that thing,” high school counselor Tara Vanselow said.

The high school has tried to make the best out of distanced learning by giving students the opportunity to take another class.

“Directed study was offered in response to the pandemic and to give students a unique opportunity to pursue and earn credit for something they might otherwise have not had time for and… to give students taking multiple AP courses a way to earn credit for the extra time they are putting in during the quarter they don’t have those classes.” Vanselow said.

Students are responsible to track their own 75 hours in order to earn a “pass” grade with a .5 credit. If the hours are not completed, the student will receive a “no credit.”

“The student is responsible for tracking their hours on the form they originally submitted to their counselor. Some students are doing [directed study] in their own time, and some actually have it scheduled during their day.” Vanselow said.

Besides off-quarter work, students are able to learn things outside of the classroom and still earn credit.

“There is actually a huge amount of variety in the things that students are doing. For example, some students are learning to play an instrument [by] watching YouTube video tutorials, practicing, etcetera. Some are studying nutrition, keeping logs of their food intake and exercise habits― one student did an internship with Vashon Electric.” Vanselow said.

Second semester sign ups are now available for students interested in taking a directed study. Students should reach out to their counselor to receive the form to fill out.

“We do not know if this is something that will continue. The original intent was that it was specific to distance learning.” Vanselow said.