As a member of the CIS eLearning Consortium (ELC), we are pleased to be offering online courses for students. The CIS eLearning Consortium is a unique cooperative not-for-profit organization that provides exemplary online curriculum for the benefit of students in member CIS schools. The CIS eLearning Consortium’s mission is to provide exemplary online courses that offer best practices in online instruction and 21st-century skills, with a high level of student monitoring and support. ELC courses are open to students on a limited basis from any of the 13 Consortium schools who are approved by their Site Administrator (Mr. Southwell) and Student Services.

These online courses, similar to our other school courses, run from September to May with a final assessment in June. Course teachers, who are experts in developing and teaching online courses, come from member Conference of Independent Schools. Our online Site Administrator will communicate regularly with the online teachers and students to support student success, monitor progress, and report student grades. They are your resource if you have any problems with your online course.

CIS ELC Online Course Descriptions
*Note the lowercase “e” after each course which indicates it is an ELC online course

This online course explores the choices that individuals and societies make about the use of resources in a competitive global economy. Students will use economic concepts and models, as well as methods of economic inquiry, to analyze current economic issues and make informed economic choices based on their analysis.

This non credit course will prepare highly motivated students to write the AP Chinese Language and Culture exam in May. It is 50 hours in length and will be taught from September until May, completed before the AP exam. The course is taught entirely in Chinese and students are expected to be proficient in Pinyin and able to use the Pinyin input method to type Chinese characters on the computer. During the course, students will gain proficiency in interpersonal, interpretive and presentational communication skills in Mandarin Chinese, and enrich their knowledge of Chinese culture. Students will meet their teacher in the Wimba virtual classroom and be engaged in many group activities including discussion threads, group presentations, peer critiques, video projects, cultural projects, and debate. Students will be required to keep an online journal in which they will share their reflections.

This non credit course will prepare highly motivated students to write the AP Spanish Language exam in May. It is 50 hours in length and will be taught from September until May, completed before the AP exam. Students will meet their teacher in the Wimba virtual classroom where all communication will take place in Spanish. They will review Spanish grammar and gain proficiency in the four language skills required for success in the AP exam: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Through activities, exercises, and questions from previous AP exams students will become familiar with the AP exam format and the importance of synthesizing information from a variety of sources.

This course will prepare highly motivated students to write the AP Psychology exam in May.

The goal of the AP Psychology course is to provide students with a quality educational experience that is the equivalent of a one-semester, college-level introductory psychology course, incorporating the concepts and materials typically covered in such a course.Various topics in this course will include: research methods, biological bases of behaviour, cognition, states of consciousness, personality theories, states of consciousness—including dream theories, social and abnormal psychology. In addition to the mastery of the fundamentals of psychology, students will engage in the study of research designs, methods, statistics and ethical issues in psychological research and application, and undertake one research study (AP Central: Psychology Home Page).

This course develops students’ understanding of the basic concepts of astronomy and astrophysics. Students will study the laws of dynamics and energy conservation that describe the motions of planets, stars, and galaxies, the quantification and forms of energy, and the way energy is transformed and transmitted. They will develop scientific-inquiry skills as they verify accepted laws and solve both assigned problems and those emerging from their own investigations. Students will also analyse the interrelationships between astronomy and technology, and consider the impact of technological applications of astronomy on society and the environment

This course focuses on the development of leadership skills used in managing a successful business. Students will analyse the role of a leader in business with a focus on decision making, management of group dynamics, workplace stress and conflict, motivation of employees, and planning. Effective business communication skills, ethics, and social responsibility will be emphasized throughout the course.

This course examines Canadian and world politics from a variety of perspectives. Students will investigate the ways in which individuals, groups, and states work to influence domestic and world events, the role of political ideologies in national and international politics, and the dynamics of international cooperation and conflict resolution. Students will apply critical thinking and communication skills to develop and support informed opinions about current political conflicts, events, and issues.

This course allows students to explore the beliefs and achievements of the classical world, which have shaped Western thought and civilization. Students will investigate such aspects of classical culture as its mythology, art, literature, and philosophy, as well as elements of ancient Greek and Latin, through a variety of activities such as dramatizations, audio-visual presentations, and discussions. By reading classical authors in English and examining archaeological evidence, students will enhance both their communication skills and their ability to think critically and creatively.

This course examines communications technology from a media perspective. Students will develop knowledge and skills as they design and produce media projects in the areas of live, recorded, and graphic communications. These areas may include TV, video, and movie production; radio and audio production; print and graphic communications; photography; digital imaging; broadcast journalism; and interactive new media. Students will also develop an awareness of related environmental and societal issues and explore college and university programs and career opportunities in the various communications technology fields.

This online course introduces students to computer science. Students will design software independently and as part of a team, using industry-standard programming tools and applying the software development life-cycle model. They will also write and use subprograms within computer programs. Students will develop creative solutions for various types of problems as their understanding of the computing environment grows. They will also explore environmental and ergonomic issues, emerging research in computer science, and global career trends in computer-related fields.

This online course enables students to further develop knowledge and skills in computer science. Students will use modular design principles to create complex and fully documented programs, according to industry standards. Student teams will manage a large software development project, from planning through to project review. Students will also analyze algorithms for effectiveness. They will investigate ethical issues in computing and further explore environmental issues, emerging technologies, areas of research in computer science, and careers in the field.

This course provides students with the fundamental knowledge of, and skills relating to, environmental science that will help them succeed in life after secondary school. Students will explore a range of topics, including the role of science in addressing contemporary environmental challenges; the impact of the environment on human health; sustainable agriculture and forestry; the reduction and management of waste; and the conservation of energy. Students will increase their scientific and environmental literacy and examine the interrelationships between science, the environment, and society in a variety of areas.

This course investigates financial management, capital markets, and ways in which capital is acquired. In addition to providing an opportunity to learn about investing and financial management for both individuals and corporations, students will investigate the clear linkage between products developed for corporations and the personal usage of these products. They will discover via capital markets - with a focus on Canadian & International markets and other financial securities (fixed income, derivatives and mutual funds) - how they affect both the individual investor and corporations. Events in business (and world) news and the effects on corporations will be discussed and interpreted daily. Students will interconnect knowledge of Accounting, Economics, Data Management, Law, and Media. They will use diverse information skills, resources, and technologies to gather information related to a variety of Canadian and International financial institutions. They will also analyze the social impact of personal and corporate investment decisions. The course will utilize both qualitative and quantitative analysis to examine problems and come to intelligent decisions.

This online course provides an overview of the importance of international business and trade in the global economy and explores the factors that influence success in international markets. Students will learn about the techniques and strategies associated with marketing, distribution, and managing international business effectively. This course prepares students for post-secondary programs in business, including international business, marketing, and management.

This online course introduces the theories, questions, and issues that are the major concerns of anthropology, psychology, and sociology. Students will develop an understanding of the way social scientists approach the topics they study and research methods they employ. Students will be given opportunities to explore theories from a variety of perspectives and to become familiar with current thinking on a range of issues that have captured the interest of classical and contemporary social scientists in the three disciplines.

Depending on language studied, this course is designed to enable students to begin to communicate with native speakers of the language of study. Students will use simple language and read age-and language-appropriate passages for different purposes. They will explore aspects of the culture of countries where the language under study is spoken, including social customs and the arts, by participating in cultural events and activities involving both print and technological resources.

This online course enables students to discover what others believe and how they live, and to appreciate their own unique heritage. Students will learn about the teachings and traditions of a variety of religions, the connections between religion and the development of civilizations, the place and function of religion in human experience, and the influence of a broad range of religions on contemporary society. This course also introduces students to skills used in researching and investigating world religions.

This course is for students with a special interest in literature and literary criticism. The course may focus on themes, genres, time periods, or countries. Students will analyse a range of forms and stylistic elements of literary texts and respond personally, critically, and creatively to them. They will also assess critical interpretations, write analytical essays, and complete an independent study project.