The Digital Backpack - Your Resource for Online Learning
Design Learning for Visually Impaired Students with NVDA
Jeff GerlachJeff reviews Non-Visual Desktop Access (NVDA), an open source screen reader for Windows. Screen readers help those with vision impairments to access digital content. Teachers can use screen readers to check that web content for lessons is accessible to students with visual impairments.
The Accessible Classroom is a video series exploring web accessibility for K-12 education. In this first video, Jeff takes a look at the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) from the perspective of schools.
Emily SiciliaWelcome to The Blended Files, our super-secret project (shhhhhhh) where we visit the classrooms of Michigan teachers and share the strategic and thoughtful ways they’re incorporating technology into their lesson plans. In our first case, we explore Mrs. M’s 7th-grade social studies classroom.
An Open Letter to “Sit and Get” PD
Erin LuckhardtMy old friend — When I first started teaching, it was always you holding my hand. You were there for my first conference. Since the beginning, you’ve set my expectations for what professional development should be like. This may be difficult to hear, but it’s time for our relationship to end.
In celebration of our 20th anniversary, we hosted four panel discussions on Mitch Albom’s radio show on WJR 760. In this segment, Mitch Albom explores the day-to-day realities of virtual education in depth with a panel of our online teachers and students.
What does the future of learning look like? In this segment of his radio show on WJR 760, Mitch Albom explores this issue in depth with a panel of the leaders of several current and former superintendents of Michigan schools.
In celebration of our 20th anniversary, we hosted four panel discussions on Mitch Albom’s radio show on WJR 760. In this segment, Mitch Albom explores Michigan’s literacy crisis in depth with a panel of the educational leaders in Michigan’s early literacy movement.
What’s Getting in the Way of Progress in Michigan’s Education System?: A Conversation with Mitch Albom
Nikki FisherIn celebration of our 20th anniversary, we hosted four panel discussions on Mitch Albom’s radio show on WJR 760. In this segment, Mitch Albom explores barriers to progress in Michigan’s educational system with a panel of the leaders of several of Michigan’s educational organizations.
Online Learning in the Wake of School Violence: False Solutions & Room for Growth
Jamey FitzpatrickThere are many good reasons to promote the value of online learning, but gun violence should not be one of them.
In this blog post, we’ll cover the basics of the summer slide — what and who are at risk and why — as well some tips and tricks for mitigating the effects of summer learning loss.
Podcast: Power With, Not Power Over
Michigan VirtualIn this episode, Jeff and Erin chat about the concept of “power with vs. power over” — inspired by a recent book study of Jim Knight’s High-Impact Instruction — and host a great interview with the always amazing Val Capel.
How Effective is Online Learning in Michigan
Nikki FisherLet’s be honest: Online learning in Michigan, as a whole, is in deep need of reform. Since 2010, the average pass rate for online courses in Michigan has hovered around 60 percent. Compared to the pass rate for traditional classrooms, this statistic has led some to condemn virtual schooling as a failed experiment.
Michigan’s Literacy Crisis is a Public Health Crisis
Michigan VirtualWho suffers when our literacy rates are low? In this blog post by Tamara Bashore-Berg, we dive into the startling reality of Michigan’s literacy crisis and explore Dr. Nell Duke’s argument that this issue is, at its heart, a public health crisis.
Turning Digital Natives into Digital Citizens
Nikki FisherTwo educators share their experiences teaching digital literacy Last week, I had the great pleasure of speaking to two educators about their experiences teaching digital literacy. The conversations that emerged were eye-opening. Both teachers have taught — or are… Read more
Podcast: Live Episode @ Rebel U
Michigan VirtualIn this episode, Jeff shares some audio from a recent teacher professional development session on podcasts, then Jeff and Erin chat about using classroom experience to shape professional learning.
Podcast: Anchors Away!
Michigan VirtualIn this episode a podcast about … podcasts! Jeff and Erin discuss a cool tool for recording podcasts and how teachers might think about using podcasts in the classroom.
Innovation in Education
Andrea McKayStudents have access to more information in their pockets than ever before, yet they are often told to leave their phones in their lockers.
Podcast: Flipgrid & The Great Chicken/Egg Debate
Michigan VirtualJeff and Erin share about Flipgrid and how they dig using it with students and teachers alike, then ask: what comes first, the technology tool or the learning?
Free Microsoft services that are great for classroom use
Jeff GerlachDesigning the physical classroom to accommodate modern learning
Michigan Virtual honored by Quality Matters for quality courses and impact on student success
Michigan VirtualLANSING, MI — Michigan Virtual™ is excited to announce that it received a 2017 Quality Matters Making a Difference for Students Award for Outstanding Impact by a K-12 Organization at the QM annual conference “Connect Conference — Pathways to… Read more