Michigan Virtual Wins International Education Award for Tool That Keeps K-12 Students on Track

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Virtual has earned international recognition for a homegrown solution to one of online learning's most persistent challenges: keeping students on track. The organization was named a 2026 Excellence Award winner by D2L, a global learning technology company, for its Student Pacing Tool, a custom-built resource that gives Michigan K-12 students personalized due dates, real-time progress tracking, and greater visibility into their own learning journey.

 Michigan Virtual’s partnership with D2L’s Custom Development team leveraged D2L Brightspace to build a tool that gives learners personalized assignment due dates, grade-to-date visibility, and real-time progress insights based on their individual enrollment timeline. Early results show more timely assignment submissions, higher assignment completion rates and statistically significant gains in final course grades. The tool also helps students, mentors, families and instructors better understand progress and intervene earlier when support is needed.

 “During the summer 2025 pilot we saw an 8 percent increase in assignment submission compared to summer 2024 before the tool was in place, with students submitting work, on average, just under one week after the suggested due date,” said Dr. Shannon Smith, Sr. Director of Student Learning at Michigan Virtual. “The Student Pacing Tool represents a meaningful step forward in helping students navigate flexible online learning with greater clarity, consistency and support.”

 The work began after Michigan Virtual piloted Automatic Zeros in fall 2023 in Advanced Placement courses. That pilot highlighted the value of automation, but Michigan Virtual’s broader course catalog required a more dynamic approach. In spring 2024, Michigan Virtual developed a solution that could respond to each student’s enrollment timeline while fitting the organization’s flexible instructional model. After design and testing, the Student Pacing Tool was deployed in May 2025.

 “We are delighted to celebrate the many innovative ways our customers are using D2L Brightspace to truly transform the way people learn,” said John Baker, CEO of D2L. “The 2026 Excellence Award winners show what’s possible when technology is used with purpose and intention. Their work reflects the power of learning to open doors, support communities and help people achieve more across K-12, higher education and corporate learning.”

 Michigan Virtual delivers flexible online learning experiences for middle and high school students across Michigan and equips educators and leaders with professional learning opportunities to strengthen teaching practices. 

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 _{About D2L}

_{D2L is transforming the way the world learns, helping learners achieve more than they dreamed possible. Working closely with customers all over the world, D2L is on a mission to make learning more inspiring, engaging and human. Find out how D2L helps transform lives and delivers outstanding learning outcomes in K-12, higher education and businesses.}

 _{About Michigan Virtual
Michigan Virtual is a nonprofit educational organization founded in 1998 that advances K-12 learning through innovation, research, and collaboration. Through the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute, we conduct original research, pilot emerging approaches, and work directly with districts to design and implement solutions that improve teaching and learning statewide. We translate work into practice through high-quality online courses for students, professional development for educators, and partnerships to be a change agent, service provider, and capacity builder with more than 500 schools and districts across Michigan. Learn more at michiganvirtual.org.}