VHS Learning Adds High School STEAM, IT, and Business Courses

  • By Kristal Kuykendall
  • 04/20/23

Online instruction provider VHS Learning has added 11 new courses for the 2023–24 school year for high school students studying online either through their local school district or at home for supplemental learning, the nonprofit said in a news release.

The new courses cover a number of STEAM subjects including computer science, fine arts, business, and languages, and include the following titles:

  • AP Pre-Calculus 

  • AP Seminar

  • Digital Photography

  • Music Composition and Songwriting

  • Accounting

  • IT Fundamentals

  • Mobile App Development

  • Principles of Computer Science

  • Graphic Novels 

  • American Sign Language and Culture

  • Chinese Language and Culture

The new courses will be available for fall 2023 except the Graphic Novels course, which will launch for the spring 2024 semester, the organization said.

“Many of our students have expressed an interest in business courses, and more specifically, courses in accounting,” said VHS Learning President and CEO Carol DeFuria. “The AP Seminar course was developed as part of the College Board’s response to post-secondary educators’ wish for incoming freshmen with greater proficiency in critical thinking and communication.”

The yearlong AP Seminar course for grades 10–12 is the first part of the College Board’s new AP Capstone Diploma program, designed to develop students’ critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management, and presentation skills, according to VHS Learning. AP Seminar enrollees “will engage in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues” and “will also write research-based essays, deliver dynamic presentations, and study a variety of topics and subject areas,” VHS Learning said. 

The new 33-week Accounting course will teach students “how to analyze, assemble, and process basic financial statements to determine the value of assets, liabilities, and owner’s equity” and “enable students to communicate essential information about the financial operations of both service and merchandising businesses,” the organization said.

The 15-week Mobile App Development course will teach students how to design and code smartphone apps for a wide variety of uses, according to the announcement. 

“In the 15-week Information Technology Fundamentals course, students will learn IT concepts and terminology, applications and software, software development, database fundamentals, and essential security concepts,” VHS Learning said. “Those who successfully complete the Information Technology Fundamentals course will be eligible to take the CompTIA IT Fundamental (ITF+) certification exam.”

Learn more at VHSLearning.org.

About the Author

Kristal Kuykendall is editor, 1105 Media Education Group. She can be reached at [email protected].


Featured

  • young educators collaborate with AI tools on laptops and tablets

    Survey: Younger Educators More Likely to Embrace AI Tools

    While educators across the United States agree that AI has enhanced classroom engagement, enthusiasm for AI's benefits is strongest among young teachers, according to a recent survey from learning technology company D2L.

  • red brick school building with a large yellow "AI" sign above its main entrance

    New National Academy for AI Instruction to Provide Free AI Training for Educators

    In an effort to "transform how artificial intelligence is taught and integrated into classrooms across the United States," the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), in partnership with Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, and the United Federation of Teachers, is launching the National Academy for AI Instruction, a $23 million initiative that will provide access to free AI training and curriculum for all AFT members, beginning with K-12 educators.

  • student holding a smartphone with thumbs-up and thumbs-down icons, surrounded by abstract digital media symbols and interface elements

    Teaching Media Literacy? Start by Teaching Decision-Making

    Decision-making is a skill that must be developed — not assumed. Students need opportunities to learn the tools and practices of effective decision-making so they can apply what they know in meaningful, real-world contexts.

  • students using digital devices, surrounded by abstract AI motifs and soft geometric design

    Ed Tech Startup Kira Launches AI-Native Learning Platform

    A new K-12 learning platform aims to bring personalized education to every student. Kira, one of the latest ed tech ventures from Andrew Ng, former director of Stanford's AI Lab and co-founder of Coursera and DeepLearning.AI, "integrates artificial intelligence directly into every educational workflow — from lesson planning and instruction to grading, intervention, and reporting," according to a news announcement.