Virtual Viewpoints Podcast: Interview with Lucas Orwig, Nellie Mae Education Foundation
https://soundcloud.com/mvlri/episode-1-lucas-orwig-nellie-mae-education-foundationThis is the first episode in a series documenting the Integrated Learning Systems project, a collaboration between the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, the Highlander Institute, and several other Rhode Island-based stakeholders endeavoring to design and pilot systems that promote student-centered learning. In this first episode, we talk with Lucas Orwig, a program officer at Nellie Mae. In our conversation today, Lucas gives us some high-level background information and talks about some of the plans and goals for the work moving forward.
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
The Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute (MVLRI) is a non-biased organization that exists to expand Michigan’s ability to support new learning models, engage in active research to inform new policies in online and blended learning, and strengthen the state’s infrastructures for sharing best practices. MVLRI works with all online learning environments to develop the best practices for the industry as a whole.
Related Posts
Understanding How Students and Teachers Think About Responsible AI Use: An Interview with a Researcher
Students and teachers generally understand the risks of AI misuse, but they are less clear about what responsible AI-supported learning should look like in practice. This interview highlights findings from a Michigan Virtual study showing that students need clearer examples, consistent expectations, and practical guidance for using AI transparently and appropriately in schoolwork.
What Happens to Students' Online Course Scores After the Course Ends?
The moment an online course ends, a new question begins: how will that score be recorded locally? Drawing on a 2025 brief and a small follow-up survey, this blog post outlines three common approaches districts use to interpret and record students’ online course scores and why the differences can matter for students.
Out of Order, Still Out of Reach: Variations in Pacing among World Language Students
Cuccolo & Green’s (2025) report highlighted the relationship between students’ assignment submission patterns and final course scores. Given that pacing has important implications for student performance, knowing what assignment submission patterns look like across schools with varying demographics could help prompt early identification and intervention. As such, this blog explores students’ assignment submission patterns based on school-level demographic information.
From Curiosity to Career: Exploring Possibilities with VR
Explore how immersive VR simulations helped students step into real-world roles: from EMTs to chefs, all without leaving the classroom.
Out of Order, Still Out of Reach: An Interview with a Researcher
In this blog, MVLRI researchers synthesize the key findings from two research studies about student assignment submission patterns in Michigan Virtual online courses.
Understanding Teacher-Student Communication in Online Courses: An Interview with a Researcher
In this interview, MVLRI researchers discuss key findings from a report highlighting how personalized, consistent, and timely communication in online courses can help students feel more connected to their online teachers and may also impact their success in the course. This blog also explores practical strategies for communicating effectively and building relationships with online students.