Questions to consider when starting a virtual learning program
The resources and tools linked below answer frequently asked questions about how to start an online school program and offer advice on research-based best practices, including planning and leading for student success, choosing an LMS, finding online content, setting up a mentor program, preparing teachers and students, planning for pupil accounting, and more.
What are the key planning considerations?
The following planning document offers school leaders actionable advice on how they can leverage digital instructional content and remote teaching practices to provide learning opportunities for all students in the event of unanticipated and extended school closures.
How do I lead my school in best practices for online learning?
Created by researchers at the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute®, our family of free guides will introduce you to the world of online learning. Inside each guide, you’ll find key definitions, research findings and practical strategies that paint a picture of what kind of preparations and support systems are necessary to ensure students succeed in their online courses.
How do I decide whether or not I need an LMS?
Trying to decide which learning management system (LMS) is the right fit for your school or district? Unsure if now is the best time to implement one? Curious about how popular LMSs compare to one another? This free guide can help you answer these questions and determine which path forward will be best for your students and staff.
How do I find online content for my classroom?
You can use this repository to find, share, and rate both free and paid digital content options that can be used in your K-12 classroom. Because this repository is crowd-sourced, each resource listed has been submitted by a fellow educator who believes in the value of this resource to meet the unique learning needs of K-12 students.
How do I set up an effective mentor program?
Mentors provide critical support to online learners. By developing a face-to-face connection, keeping students on schedule, and providing guidance and support, mentors make online courses less overwhelming and more manageable for students.
How do I prepare teachers for remote teaching?
This interactive self-assessment tool asks teachers to evaluate their readiness to effectively reach and teach students in a remote or blended learning environment. Upon filling out this checklist, teachers will receive an automated playlist of PD options based on their unique growth areas.
How do I assess student readiness for online learning?
Students vary in their readiness for virtual learning. The Online Learner Readiness Rubric helps evaluate a student’s preparedness for virtual learning on eight dimensions.
How do I prepare students for remote learning?
Strategies for Online Success (SOS) is a free orientation to learning online geared towards preparing students for the transition from taking courses in-person to taking them online.
How do I create accessible learning experiences and support students with disabilities?
Thinking about providing your students with at-home learning experiences, but worried about web accessibility issues or supporting students with disabilities? We've created a list of resources to help you address these topics.
How does pupil accounting work with virtual learners?
When count day comes around, it’s important for your district to have a process in place to report your virtual learners and receive appropriate state funding. In this webinar, special guest, Brian Ciloski, a departmental analyst with MDE, discusses Michigan laws regarding count day requirements, share best practices for reporting virtual learners, and provide resources that can assist you through this process.
Are there any templates I can use to get started?
We have free templates that may be useful to those starting an online learning program, including sample communications, checklists for online learning coordinators, and a student and parent agreement.
How can I support students' social and emotional needs?
During times of crisis, our students need extra support to process their emotions. Our Michigan Cares Portal offers Michigan families and educators FREE digital lessons designed to help students in grades K-12 develop the skills required for social, emotional, and mental well-being. This portal will be freely available until the end of the 20-21 school year.
How can I get feedback on my online learning program?
We offer free reviews to Michigan K-12 schools with supplemental online learning programs (i.e. not full-time cyber schools). This opportunity allows districts to reflect on what’s working and what areas they could improve to enhance their program’s effectiveness.
Keep Michigan Learning Webinar Series
To help Michigan educators keep students learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, we produced a series of short webinars (approx. 30 minutes each) that offer tips, tricks, and best practices for remote teaching and learning.
Brought to you in part by Meemic Insurance Company, Insurance for Educators.
Hosting Summer School During a Pandemic
Has the COVID-19 pandemic completely changed your summer school plans? Would you like to have tips to create a successful online summer school program? In this webinar, Ann Arbor P
Mentoring through a Pandemic
Do you feel like you’re on an island while mentoring online students in our current remote learning environment? In this webinar, seasoned online mentors share tips and tricks to h
Supporting Students with Disabilities in Remote Learning Environments
In this conversation with Dr. Mark Deschaine, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Mississippi, we discuss what educators need to know when supporting
Teacher Support, Finding Others to Collaborate with and Lean On
As educators who have been separated from your colleagues and students, how are you connecting with other educators during this time? In this webinar, our panelists share the metho
Tips for Supporting Parents
How can we best support parents who are working AND teaching from home? In this webinar, our panelists discuss working remotely while looking after children, resources for teachers
Engaging Students When Learning from Home
Are you missing your students like crazy right now? Working from home has been showing its challenges for both parents and teachers, so know that you are not alone! In this webinar