Online courses at Scottsdale Unified School District are a highly interactive learning environment. To help ensure
an effective learning experience, all students in online courses are expected to participate on a regular basis.
1. START HERE
 You will be required to read each page of this folder before you are able to move
into the first lessons of your course.
 Please carefully read the information on each page. After viewing each page, click
the “Mark this activity complete” (button in the lower right corner of the content
window) to move on to the next attachment.
 After you have viewed all of the pages, please complete the “Student
Acknowledgement” assessment.
 You may refer back to these pages at any time while working on your course.
As an online student,
you must take extra
measures in order to be
successful in your classes.
Paying careful attention
to time management
and study habits are
just a few examples.
Please contact your teacher if you need more information or clarification.
2. DISCUSSION-BASED ASSESSMENTS/ORAL COMPONENTS
DBAs/Oral Components are a REQUIRED part of most online courses.
Your teacher will post information on making appointments for your phone calls. DBAs/Oral
Components should be completed as you reach them. Waiting until the last minute to
complete your DBAs/Oral Components may jeopardize your completion of the course due to
scheduling difficulties at the close of a term.
Check with your teacher on how to schedule a DBA/Oral Component.
3. FINAL EXAMS
 Students must pass the final exam with a score of at least 60% in order to earn
credit for the course.
 The final is the last assignment and all incomplete work will be marked as 0.
 A re-take of a final will be allowed only if the first attempt is less than 60% and
prior to the end of term.
 The final exam is taken in person in a proctored setting; students must present a
photo ID to sit for a final exam.
 If a student has another browser window/tab opened when taking a final, their
score will automatically result in a zero (0).
Make initial contact
with online
instructor during
the first week of class.
Students are expected
to maintain honesty
and integrity when
completing all
academic assignments
and examinations
Students wishing to
withdraw from an
online class must
adhere to Scottsdale
Unified School District
policies and
procedures.
Any form of academic dishonesty during a final exam may result in a failing grade
for the final and, therefore, a failing grade for the course.
Rev. 6.2015
1. ATTENDANCE
Just like a regular class at a traditional high school, regular and consistent attendance to your
online course is required and expected.
Attendance in an online course includes:
a. Logging into Genius/Gradpoint
b. Submitting assignments regularly and consistently on time.
c. Submitting a log of offline minutes as required for SOL students only.
(Link is located on the side tab on the Genius homepage).
d. Checking email and the messages on your Genius homepage daily.
e. If technical circumstances prevent a student from entering the course site for a period of
time, it is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor in a timely manner.
Students should expect to spend approximately the same amount of time working in their online
course as they would spend in a classroom course. Students will be withdrawn from a course:



eL courses after two weeks of inactivity
SOL courses after 10 calendar days inactivity
Summer School courses after five days of inactivity
Failure to meet attendance guidelines may result in a student’s withdrawal from and/or failure of a
course.
2. DUE DATES AND LATE WORK
ALL assessments/assignments in your course have a posted due date. To view a list of all due
dates for your course, view “Grades” page in GradPoint. Late work policy does not apply
during summer school sessions.
“Students taking an online course are expected to submit coursework by the due date posted. Students are granted
a seven day (7) ‘grace period’ after the posted due date to submit assignments without penalty, but once the grace
period has passed, the late assignment(s) will be issued a score of zero (0).”
What this means:
a. Setting yourself up for success means submitting quality work within a reasonable timeline.
b. Students who know that they are leaving town or have a long-term commitment or challenge
that will have an impact on their submitting work in a timely manner should communicate with
their teacher beforehand to make appropriate alternative arrangements.
c. FINALS-Once a final exam is attempted, no other assessments/assignment may be submitted for
credit.
Any uncompleted assessments/assignment will be marked with a zero (0).
It is the student’s responsibility to make every effort to submit work by the posted due date, with
the understanding that the grace period is available as a last resort if needed.
Rev. 6.2015
3. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND DISHONESTY
Academic integrity means:
 Your work on each assignment must be completely your own.
 You will not allow others to copy your work.
 You will not misuse content from the Internet.
 During finals you will not use an online translation service (i.e. Google Translate) for
translation. Use of electronic translators is considered cheating.
 Please be aware that all SUSD instructors utilize a myriad of technologies to check student
work for authenticity. If an instructor confirms that a student has plagiarized work in any
manner, the student will be subject to consequences determined by the SUSD administration
and may be removed from the course with a failing grade.
Plagiarism, cheating and any form of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in online courses.
Plagiarism is defined as (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/plagiarism):


an act or instance of using or closely imitating the language and thoughts of another author
without authorization and the representation of that author's work as one's own, as by not
crediting the original author: It is said that he plagiarized Thoreau's plagiarism of a line
written by Montaigne. Synonyms: appropriation, infringement, piracy, counterfeiting; theft,
borrowing, cribbing, passing off.
a piece of writing or other work reflecting such unauthorized use or imitation: “These two
manuscripts are clearly plagiarisms,” the editor said, tossing them angrily on the floor.
For more information on plagiarism, please see this helpful tool on defining and avoiding academic
dishonesty: What is Plagiarism? http://www.lib.usm.edu/legacy/plag/whatisplag.php
Please see definitions of and consequences for “Cheating, Forgery, Lying, Plagiarism” in the SUSD
Student Code of Conduct on the SUSD district website www.susd.org. The SUSD Student Code of
Conduct applies to all online students.
“Academic dishonesty situations are the responsibility of the online teacher in collaboration with school
administration (and the eLearning Lab Instructional Aide if applicable). If a student is found cheating on an exam,
notification will be sent to the appropriate Assistant Principal at the student’s home school, and disciplinary
action will be taken in accordance with school policies and the SUSD Code of Conduct.”
Rev. 6.2015
STUDENT STEP BY STEP GUIDE
STUDENT GUIDE TO GRADPOINT
WHAT IS GENIUS?
Genius is the initial login to the Student Information System.
You must ALWAYS login to Genius to access your course.
Login to Genius > http://genius.susd.org
Check and/or send Messages
Under Academic Snapshot (fig.1)
Click > Course(s) to go to GradPoint
You can also:
Add Guardian Account
Add additional student email and cell phone
(fig.1)
WHAT IS GRADPOINT?
GradPoint is the online learning platform.
IF WORKING FROM HOME, CHECK HOME COMPUTER FOR SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
http://www.flvs.net//areas/faqs/pages/ hardwarerequirements.aspx
After logging into Genius:
1. Click > Course(s) to navigate course content and complete assignments and assessments (fig.2)
2. View > Due Soon
3. View > Announcements
4. Grades > View grades in course
(fig.2)
Rev. 7.2015
STUDENT STEP BY STEP GUIDE
STUDENT GUIDE TO GRADPOINT continued
GRADPOINT - GRADES
Students can view their grades, due dates and submission dates.
1. Click assignment/assessment > to view more details, score, and/or feedback. (fig. 3)
2. What-if calculator allows you to project your final percentage.
3. View the time that you have spent on each item in the course.
(fig. 3)
GRADPOINT – COURSE VIEWER
The Course Viewer (fig. 4) displays the navigation
pane on the left side of the screen and the
course content, including learning activities,
assignments, and assessments on the right side of
the screen.
Click > folder icon to view the activities for that
unit, week, or module.
Click > Assignments and Assessments to take
a test, quiz or submit an assignment.
Submitted, pending grading
Test or quiz
There are five possible types of assessments:
Multiple choice, short-answer, essay, matching, and
multiple-answer.
Retry allowed
Activity is completed
(fig. 4)
X
Excused from activity
77%
Grade on the activity
Rev. 7.2015
STUDENT STEP BY STEP GUIDE
STUDENT GUIDE TO GRADPOINT continued
COURSE VIEWER - continued
Students can navigate through their individual courses to view content, as well as complete any
assignments or tests that are assigned.
1. Navigate to course content and view course material.
2. If icons are included, click for more content.
3. Page through the course.
4. Some courses have videos to view (if a text version is available, click to read).
(fig. 5)
SUBMITTING AN ASSIGNMENT
There are two primary types of assignments that can be submitted online:
Assignments for which a template has been provided
Assignments for which you will either enter the information, or attach a document
1. Click > Open button.
2. To upload your assignment from your local computer, click > Save and then click > Browse to select
the location on your computer where the assignment or template is saved. If your, assignment does
not require an attached document, you may type (or Copy and Paste) your, assignment directly into
the Work window.
3. Click > Save to save your work. If you have completed the assignment, click > Submit button to send
it to your instructor.
Rev. 7.2015
STUDENT STEP BY STEP GUIDE
HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR TEACHER
TEXT OR CALL
Teachers will respond to voicemails and emails
within one business day.
You may reach your teacher by text message,
keep message brief (yes/no general questions).
If a student expects a response longer than a
sentence, they should send an email.
When texting or calling, include your
name and course.
(fig.1)
EMAIL
Your susdgapps email is automatically
added in Genius and Gradpoint (fig.1)
Students can add another email and/or
cell phone in Genius. (It will not replace
your susdgapps email.) (fig.2)




Log in to Genius
Click > Edit account
Add secondary email/cellphone
Click > Save
(fig.2)
CHECK MESSAGES IN GENIUS
It is your responsibility to check for
messages in Genius every time
you login.




Log in to Genius
Click > Message Inbox (fig.3)
Click > Message to read
Click > Compose to send
(fig.3)
Rev. 7.2014
STUDENT STEP BY STEP GUIDE
HOW TO GET STARTED WITH SUSD GAPPS (EMAIL)
STEP 1
Open a web browser and type >
http://googleapps.susd.org (fig.1)
Username = first initial, last name, last 2
digits of student ID
(example: [email protected])
Temporary Default Password = 8 digit birthday
mmddyyyy (example: 07271997)
Click > Sign In
First time users will be prompted to change
your password from the temporary default
to a unique password; accept access.
(fig.1)
Be sure you use googleapps.susd.org to
login to have access to Google Drive.
If you are having trouble with your
password, please call 480-484-HELP.
STEP 2
Once logged in, Click > Mail
to access your SUSD Gmail
Note: SUSD Gmail is an internal email
system. You will only be able to
correspond with your instructor(s).
Click > Apps icon
(fig.2)
(located on the upper right of your
browser) to access your mail, groups,
drive, etc.
(fig.2)
Rev. 7.2014
STUDENT STEP BY STEP GUIDE
CHECKING FEEDBACK FOR ASSIGNMENTS IN GRADPOINT
STEP 1
Click > Grades (fig.1)
in the top bar to view your gradebook.
(fig.1)
STEP 2
Click > Assignment (fig.2)
in your gradebook that you would
like to review.
(fig.2)
STEP 3
Once you do, you will be taken into the
course view and the assignment that you
clicked on will open.
Click > Details (fig.3)
in the lower right hand corner.
(fig.3)
STEP 4
A new window will pop up with
specific information about your
performance on that assignment.
(fig.4)
Scroll through the entire window!
Look for a line titled “Feedback”
and read the information provided
by your teacher.
If the assignment had a rubric,
feedback will be under the rubric.
(fig.4)
Rev. 7.2014
STUDENT STEP BY STEP GUIDE
HOW TO ACCESS ADDITIONAL INTERNET RESOURCES
SAS PATHWAYS
Open a web browser and type >
www.sascurriculumpathways.com/portal/
Click > Log In (fig.1)
Username = learnaz
No password is necessary
Click > Log In
(fig.1)
DISCOVERY ED
Open a web browser and type >
https://susd.discoveryeducation.com
Username = student ID (fig.3)
Password = 8 digit birthdate (mmddyyyy)
Click > Login
(fig.3)
GIZMO
Open a web browser and type >
http://www.explorelearning.com/
Click > Enroll in a Class* (fig.4)
Enter Class Code provided by instructor
Click > Continue
Username = student ID
Password = 8 digit birthdate (mmddyyyy)
(fig.4)
*Note: If you are already enrolled, login
with your username and password.
GEOGEBRA
Open a web browser and type >
http://www.geogebra.org
Click > Download (fig.5)
Follow prompts for free download
(fig.5)
Rev. 3.2015
STUDENT STEP BY STEP GUIDE
HOW TO SUBMIT AN ASSIGNMENT IN GRADPOINT
There are two primary types of assignments that can be submitted online:
• Assignments for which a template has been provided
• Assignments for which you will either enter the information attach a separate document or attach
multiple documents.
STEP 1
Click > View (fig.1)
Under the Course Title
(fig.1)
STEP 2
Click > Folder (fig.2)
To reveal the assignment in the Navigation
pane. The instructions and the assignment
toolbar display in the assignment panel.
(fig.2)
STEP 3
Click > Open (fig.3)
In the lower right hand corner.
If your instructor has provided a template
for this assignment, you will be prompted to
Save the assignment template to your local
computer and open it in the appropriate
software application, such as Microsoft
Word. Complete the assignment and save
your work to the computer.
(fig.3)
To upload your assignment from your local
computer to GradPoint, click Save and then
click Browse to select the location on your
computer where the assignment or template
is saved. If your assignment does not require
an attached document, you may type (or
Copy and Paste) your assignment directly
into the Work window.
Rev. 8.2014
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Students must show student ID when taking finals.
Please do not bring/use cell phone when taking finals. (Student is responsible for lost or stolen cell phone.)
No headphones.
The final is the last assignment. All lessons not completed before then shall be scored as zero.
FINAL EXAM - In order to earn credit for the course, you must have an overall class grade of 60% or higher and
pass the FINAL EXAM with a score of 60% or better. If a student does not pass the final exam (received 59% or
lower) on the first attempt, a re-take may be allowed prior to the end of the term. Re-takes are not allowed for
grade improvement, those who received 60% or higher are not eligible for final exam retakes.
6. Blank scratch paper may be used and must be submitted upon departure.
7. If a student has another browser window/tab opened when taking a final, their score will automatically
result in a zero (0).
ELECTIVES


One hand-written notecard (3X5 size) with notes on the front and back
Critical Thinking Article Only - Elizabeth Blackwell, “Woman Attends Medical
School” – provided by the proctor
ENGLISH


One hand-written notecard (3X5 size) with notes on the front and back
English Dictionary and Thesaurus
MATH




One hand-written notecard (3X5 size) with notes on the front and back
A calculator (student may NOT use the calculator on the computer)
The AIMS reference sheet – provided by the proctor
Math Formula Sheet – provided by the proctor
AP COMPUTER SCIENCE ONLY
 One page of hand-written notes (8.5 by 11), both sides
 A graphing calculator
 BlueJ IDE to write their code
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
SCIENCE


One hand-written notecard (3X5 size) with notes on the front and back
A calculator (student may NOT use the calculator on the computer)
ALL SCIENCE
 One hand-written notecard (3X5 size) with notes on the front and back
PHYSICS ONLY
 One hand-written notecard (3X5 size) with notes on the front and back
 A calculator (student may NOT use the calculator on the computer)
 A protractor – provided by the proctor
 A ruler – provided by the proctor
SOCIAL STUDIES

One hand-written notecard (3X5 size) with notes on the front and back
WORLD LANGUAGE



One hand-written notecard (3X5 size) with notes on the front and back
Firefox as web browser
“Accent Mark” – provided by the proctor
LATIN ONLY
 One page of hand-written notes (8.5 by 11), both sides
 Latin/English Dictionary
Rev. 8.2015
CHEMISTRY ONLY
 One hand-written notecard (3X5 size) with notes on the front and back
 A calculator (student may NOT use the calculator on the computer)
 A Periodic Table with List of Polyatomic Ions provided by the proctor
STUDENT STEP BY STEP GUIDE
HOW TO ADD/CHECK OFFLINE MINUTES BEFORE TAKING FINAL
STEP 1
Scottsdale Online requires that each student
completes a minimum of 5400 combined
minutes of offline + online work per class.
This is in accordance with the guidelines from
the Arizona Department of Education to
recognize a student in good standing.
Open a web browser login to Genius
Click > Offline Minutes (fig.1)
Make sure that your combined total
minutes are accurate. Two classes will
need to show 10,800 total minutes (yes,
one class may be less if the other makes up
for it).
(fig.1)
The drop down menu allows for you to
rectify offline minutes that may have been
overlooked during the block. (fig.2)
STEP 2
When the above step is completed and you have met the minimum attendance requirement,
please raise your hand so that the proctor may enter your password for your final.
(fig.2)
Rev. 7.2014