Blog
Our team shares their findings and expertise to help shed light on the things that matter most and ways to work toward your success.
The Blended Learning Fight Club
Jamie DeWittThe first rule of blended learning is: you do not talk about blended learning. Recently, I was designing a professional learning experience for some administrators and, for the first time in my career in blended learning outreach, decided to… Read more
Unlocking the Next Level of Science Teaching
Andrew Vanden HeuvelI’m not ashamed to admit it — I’m 34, married with three children and I still like to play video games. While the Sega Genesis gave birth to my addiction, I do vividly recall huddling around the Commodore 64… Read more
Campfire Podcast: The End of Swiss Cheese Learning with Dan Spencer
Erin LuckhardtSHOW #6! We have had a great time chatting with teachers, administrators, and technology integration specialists and this episode was no different. We had on our guest, and friend, Dan Spencer. Dan is a high school science teacher turned tech… Read more
Physical Spaces
Jeff GerlachDesigning the physical classroom to accommodate modern learning
Campfire Podcast: Talking Marginalia with Rachelle
Erin LuckhardtThanks so much for tuning into the show and checking out the show notes! We appreciate YOU! In our 5th episode, we got into some deep conversations with Rachelle Wynkoop surrounding literacy, explored a new tool for us that linked up… Read more
Campfire Podcast: Failure-free Failing
Erin LuckhardtAs we get deeper into our podcast adventure, we are feeling fortunate to have the opportunity to converse with fantastic educators and get a glimpse into how learning happens in their classrooms or schools. This week was no different…. Read more
Campfire Podcast: Shirley Temples With Ben
Erin LuckhardtShow notes from this week’s campfire: We got off to a good start by revisiting the hot dog/sandwich conundrum. We shared how we are majorly digging on Quizizz — a gamified review/assessment where students are answering questions in a race… Read more
Campfire Podcast: Talking About, and To, A Wonder Woman
Erin LuckhardtThe weather outside is feeling especially blustery, so come on over to our campfire for some great conversation. This week we launched our second episode of Campfire with our special guest, Sandy Freeland. We’re sensing a trend with teacher interviews,… Read more
Campfire Podcast: Getting Wizer Just P-Cuz
Erin LuckhardtThe weather may be snowy and cold, but our campfire’s keeping us warm! This week we launched our first “official” episode of Campfire with special guest, Ben Pineda. Despite having a snow day, Ben took the time to chat with… Read more
Campfire Podcast: Chubby Bunny Teacher Challenge
Erin LuckhardtBust out the s’mores, it’s time for a CAMPFIRE! It might be a little chilly to gather around a campfire this time of year, but we’d love for you to grab your coffee and get cozy while you listen… Read more
Teaching in Beta
Jeff GerlachMy colleagues, Kelli Hixon and Stacey Schuh, regularly facilitate blended learning regional events across the state. In most cases, they’ve partnered up with intermediate school districts (ISD’s) throughout the state to help host and promote the events. A great… Read more
The Force Awakens Your Classroom
David YoungThe blended learning team challenged their colleague, David Young (Instructional Design Manager at Michigan Virtual), to channel his excitement for the release of the new Star Wars film into a guest blog post about blended learning. He did not… Read more
The All Too Often Neglected Teacher Superpower
Kelli Hixon“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” —William A. Ward Throughout my childhood, I had teachers I connected with in a way I will never forget, while others have faded… Read more
Change, The Monster Lurking Under your Blended Learning Bed
Stacey SchuhChange is not always easy for me. Ok, it is never easy for me. I dread the unknown, funny since a major part of my job is to support changes in education. Every day I encourage educators to take… Read more
Rediscovering Microsoft: Three powerful tools for teachers
Roman StotlandExpand your presentations and supercharge your screen captures with these tools.
Is Online Teaching in Your Future?
Jamey FitzpatrickDuring the next decade, thousands of educators in the U.S. will start a new professional journey by teaching one or more courses in an online environment. For some, this will be an exciting transition and for others it will… Read more
Celebrating student learning at Brandywine
Jeff GerlachExploring a blended learning project from start to finish.
Is Blended Learning a Fairy Tale?
Jamie DeWittIn Michael Horn (@michaelbhorn) and Heather Staker’s (@hstaker) new book “Blended,” blended learning implementation is examined and discussed. As the blended learning movement is exploding, it is natural to have various levels of adoption. Horn and Staker mention… Read more
Cold weather doesn’t stop learning at Michigan Virtual
Jamey FitzpatrickWhen it’s cold out. Really cold. Like it has been often this winter. Many schools shut down. That’s not news to anyone in Michigan, but Michigan Virtual online learning students are warm and toasty on those days, sitting in… Read more
Differentiation in a world without learning styles
Jeff GerlachMy Experience It was in an 8th-grade social studies class that I first encountered differentiation based on learning styles. At that time I was a student assistant, gaining classroom experience in preparation of my student teaching assignment to follow… Read more