CBe-learn is the Calgary Board of Education’s (CBE’s) online school, offering regular programming for students in Grades 1-12. It operates as a single school with its own teachers and students, who attend online from their homes across Calgary. It has been part of CBE for nearly 20 years.
| Grades |
Grades 1 to 12.
|
Commitment |
CBe-learn requires a full school year commitment and is not designed to allow for transitions to in-person learning mid-year. |
Course Offerings |
CBe-learn offers the regular program, covering the full English Alberta Education Programs of Study. (Visit My Child's Learning: A Parent Resource on the Alberta Education website for more information.) It offers courses required for high school completion, including Core and Career and Technology Studies (CTS) courses. |
Full-Time School |
Students who are part of the full-time online learning program at CBe-learn are connected to CBe-learn only, not their in-person community school. They access learning resources and supports through CBe-learn.
|
Teaching |
- All classes are taught by certified teachers.
- Students interact with their teacher and each other as they learn.
- Interactions occur both in real-time (synchronous) and through recorded videos, written instructions, etc (asynchronously). See details below.
|
Calendar / Schedule |
- CBe-learn follows the CBE traditional calendar (2022-2023)
- Students must be available for learning that is scheduled within the regular school day. Anticipate 20-30 hours of learning/week for full-time students. This includes time for both live (synchronous) learning as well time to read instructions, complete assignments, watch recorded videos, etc..
|
Parent Involvement |
Parents are involved and offer learning assistance. See below and the grade-specific webpages for details. |
Technology Requirements |
At home, each student requires:
- An internet connection
- Their own laptop or desktop computer (Students who attempt to access courses via tablets and phones consistently struggle to meet learning outcomes.)
- A working web camera, speakers and microphone
- A separate headset and microphone (recommended)
Further information regarding technical specifics can be found on the Technical Support for Students and Parents help page. |
Learning Environment and Supplies |
Families support online learning by providing:
- A quiet work space free from distractions
- A routine that supports learning
- Supplies and resources typical to what is used in each grade-level (detailed requirements will be provided)
- Additional subject-specific supplies as needed (e.g glue for art projects)
See grade-level pages (linked below) for specific information. |
Learning Tools |
Teachers guide and support learning using a variety of distance learning tools including:
- Brightspace (by D2L)
- Virtual Classroom
- Google’s Education Suite including Google Classroom and Google Meet
|
| English Level |
Level 3 English proficiency is recommended to support ELL students (English Language Leaners) in being successful at CBe-learn. Please discuss your child’s best option for learning with your current school. |
Eligibility and Registration/Transfers
Please view the How to Register for Full-Time Online Learning webpage for details on who can attend CBe-learn and how to request a transfer.
Characteristics of a Successful CBe-learn Student
We encourage you to take an anonymous, optional Online Self and Family Assessment to help you determine if online learning is right for your family.
| Youngest Online Learners Require |
Older Online Learners Require |
- Significant home support
- Passion for learning
- Responsibility over learning
- Developing literacies
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- Comprehensive literacies
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Good time management
- Strong self-advocacy skills
- Self-motivated
- Self-disciplined
- Home support (limited amount required)
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Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning
Teachers at CBe-learn use both synchronous and asynchronous activities to support student learning.
Synchronous Learning
- Examples: video conference, live chat and live streamed videos
- Communication happens live in real time
- All students learn at the same time
- Allows for instant feedback and clarification
|
Asynchronous Learning
- Examples: recorded videos, blog posts, emails and written instructions
- Information is available all the time
- Each student can learn at different times
- Allows students to work at a time that fits their schedule
|
View the Grade-Specific Pages
CBe-learn does NOT offer
CBe-learn offers regular programming for Grade 1-12 students. We do not offer:
- Kindergarten
- Alternative and other programs such as:
- French Immersion
- Spanish Bilingual
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Advanced Placement (AP)
- Art-Centred Learning
- Traditional Learning Centre (TLC)
- Montessori
- All Boys or All Girls
- Special Education Classes (EES, TASK, etc.)
- Correspondence-based courses where students progress through independently and at their own pace.
Why does CBe-learn only offer regular program classes?
CBE has nearly 250 schools offering a wide variety of programs and courses for a wide variety of learners. We must deploy resources across the system in a manner that is responsible and equitable for all students. We do not have the resources to provide all offerings through both an in-person and online learning format. As well, the complexities of some programs and learning requirements are best supported in person.
Is this the same as Home Education?
No. CBe-learn is different from Home Education, where families are responsible for offering a program of studies for their child by developing, administering, managing and evaluating the progress of their student.
