Asynchronous Academy

Written Exam: American History

Suggested Duration: 7 Hours

This is your final written exam for Grade 11 American History. The final evaluation combines independent preparation of comprehensive course notes with a secure online proctored essay.

📋 Step 1: Prepare Your Exam Notes

Before entering the proctored workspace, spend time reviewing your course media logs, primary source evaluations, and historical thinking concepts across Units 1–4 to prepare a set of comprehensive study notes:

  • Synthesize Key Themes: Outline historical evidence, causal relationships, and key developments related to American geopolitics, social movements, and economic policy.
  • Upload to Dashboard: Submit your completed Exam Notes file directly on the course dashboard. Uploading your notes (along with your Culminating Reflection Video) unlocks the Secure Exam Workspace.

🔒 Step 2: Secure Exam Guidelines

  1. Accessing the Workspace: Once your Exam Notes and Reflection Video are uploaded, click "Start Secure Written Exam" in your course dashboard. You will be redirected to the secure workspace at exam.asyncacademy.ca.
  2. Lockdown Mode: Once the session begins, your browser will enter locked full-screen mode. Tabbing out, resizing the window, or using external apps will trigger a workspace lockout.
  3. Writing the Essay: You will be presented with a choice of historical prompts covering major themes from the course. You will write your essay (500–800 words) live in the text editor from scratch.
  4. Video Proctoring: You must record a continuous 3/4 side-view video of your workspace using your phone during the session, and upload the link to Google Drive on submission.

📝 Exam Structure

The exam will test your understanding of critical developments in American history since World War I. Select one of the three prompts below and write a historical essay (500–800 words) demonstrating historical thinking concepts (significance, cause and consequence, continuity and change).

Option 1: Geopolitics & Global Power

Prompt: To what extent did the United States' entry into World War I and World War II mark a definitive shift from isolationism to global hegemony? Analyze the domestic and geopolitical consequences of these conflicts to support your argument.

Option 2: Social Movements & Rights

Prompt: How did the Civil Rights Movement and other major social struggles of the mid-20th century (such as the women's rights movement or anti-war protests) redefine the meaning of the 'American Dream' and reshape constitutional protections? Analyze key leaders, events, and legislative outcomes.

Option 3: Economic Crises & Federal Power

Prompt: Compare the causes, government responses, and long-term societal impacts of the Great Depression in the 1930s with the Great Recession of 2008 in the United States. Analyze how economic policies during these crises altered the role of the federal government in American life.

Assessment

What to Turn In

🛡️ Secure Exam Workspace

To comply with Ontario ministry guidelines, you must draft your final exam essay live in our secure proctored editor environment.

demo exam
  • 📤

    Your Exam Notes uploaded to the course dashboard

  • 📤

    Your Final Essay typed live from scratch in the Secure Exam Workspace

  • 📤

    A Google Drive link to your phone camera proctoring recording

💡 A Different Way to Learn

Async Academy courses are inquiry-based. There are no rote answer keys or multiple-choice worksheets here. You learn by exploring, questioning, and building projects you care about.

Because your discovery path is completely unique, you need a human sounding board. Enroll to submit your projects and get personalized video feedback from an Ontario Certified Teacher to guide your work.

Learning Goals

We are learning to:

  • 🎯

    Apply historical thinking skills to construct a coherent argument and communicate understanding of key developments in American history

Success Criteria

I can:

  • ✅

    Analyze historical events and trends to demonstrate historical thinking concepts (significance, cause and consequence, continuity and change)

    Expectations Covered: A1, A2
  • ✅

    Communicate arguments and conclusions with clarity, structure, and historical accuracy

    Expectations Covered: A1, A2

Rubric

Category Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1
Application Student has demonstrated exceptional facility with the concepts of historical thinking Student has effectively used the concepts of historical thinking when constructing their essay Student has often used the concepts of historical thinking when constructing their essay Student has sometimes used the concepts of historical thinking when constructing their essay
Communication Student is able to communicate their ideas, arguments, and conclusions with exceptional clarity and structure Student is able to communicate their ideas, arguments, and conclusions clearly Student is often able to communicate their ideas, arguments, and conclusions Student is sometimes able to communicate their ideas, arguments, and conclusions
Application
Level 4

Student has demonstrated exceptional facility with the concepts of historical thinking

Level 3

Student has effectively used the concepts of historical thinking when constructing their essay

Level 2

Student has often used the concepts of historical thinking when constructing their essay

Level 1

Student has sometimes used the concepts of historical thinking when constructing their essay

Communication
Level 4

Student is able to communicate their ideas, arguments, and conclusions with exceptional clarity and structure

Level 3

Student is able to communicate their ideas, arguments, and conclusions clearly

Level 2

Student is often able to communicate their ideas, arguments, and conclusions

Level 1

Student is sometimes able to communicate their ideas, arguments, and conclusions