Blog
The Digital Backpack
Your resource for online learning
Your trusted source for K-12 online learning insights, teaching strategies, and success stories from Michigan’s leading virtual education provider. Join us as we explore innovative approaches to help students thrive in the digital age.
Parenting in a pandemic: Encouraging positive behaviors and self-discipline
Lauren Kazee
As everyone continues to stay home to stay safe, new routines may have begun to normalize for parents and their children.As this new way of life continues, behavior patterns also begin to adjust. Ever
Online Student Support and Enrichment
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
We’ve talked previously about monitoring student progress as an essential responsibility of online instructors. Today’s blog post will dive deeper into instructor responsibilities around monitoring student progress, including providing support services or enrichment opportunities to students. These services are incredibly important as they can make the difference between student success and students failing to thrive in their online courses.
Your brain in crisis: Why it’s so hard to learn during difficult times
Lauren Kazee
It’s 10 o’clock in the morning, and you glance at your to-do list. You have emails to send, phone calls to make, school lessons to complete with your child(ren). With the whole day ahead of you, you f
Self-care for parents: Why you need to take care of yourself first
Lauren Kazee
Attention all passengers:In an emergency, a mask will drop from a container above your seat. Please fit the yellow cup over your nose and mouth and place the elastic strap around the back of your head
Supporting your child's social and emotional needs during school closures
Lauren Kazee
Right now, parents and children across the globe are under a lot of stress. On top of this, parents are being asked to do even more to support the academic needs of their children than ever before. While it's easy to focus on the logistical concerns of living through a global pandemic, we also need to tend to the emotional impact such events can have both on ourselves and our children.
What Does Research Say About Mentoring Online Students?
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
There exists an ever growing body of research on mentoring online students. In this article we seek to answer the question: What does this research tell us about mentoring K-12 online students?
Communication & Engagement in the Online Classroom
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
Most teachers would agree that communication and engagement are key factors for student success in any classroom. In the online classroom, however, these variables play out a little differently than they might in a face-to-face setting. In this article, we break down what communication looks like in an online course, who is responsible for student engagement, and, finally, how communication and engagement interact in practice.
January & February Research Round Up
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
What’s new in the world of K-12 research on online, blended, and innovative learning? This month, we take a look at learning to teach mathematics online, coaching instructional coaches, the value of project-based learning and high-level knowledge activities, and a framework for affective, behavioral, and cognitive engagement in online courses.
Digital Learning Day: Ways to Support Successful Online Learning
Michigan Virtual
On Digital Learning Day, what can be done to improve online instruction? In this article, we share suggestions for researchers and practitioners from EDC's Erin Stafford and Jacqueline Zweig.
What if Michigan Had eLearning Days?
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
With eLearning, students can learn from home when extenuating circumstances (such as snow storms) prevent them from being able to attend their brick-and-mortar schools. Many states in the U.S. have eLearning policies, but Michigan's not one of them. Why is that and what would it look like if we did have eLearning days?
Using Autocrat to showcase student work
Stacey Schuh
As a teacher, it's great to showcase student work, but it can be time-consuming to compile and share these accolades with parents. In this article, we walk through how teachers can use the Google add-on Autocrat to showcase student work in an efficient way.
Using image annotation tools to bring assignments to life
Stacey Schuh
Looking for ways to make your classroom resources more interactive? In this article, we share two free image annotation tools that teachers can use to bring assignments to life in their classroom.
Online Student Success Triangle — Students, Mentors, & Parents
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
A healthy support system for online students involves interrelationships between students, mentors, and parents. In this article, we take a look at how students, mentors, and parents can all work together to help students thrive in the online environment.
Using Google Forms to innovate your assessment practices
Stacey Schuh
Google Forms is not a new tool. It’s been around for quite some time; however, a number of recent updates have made this tool one you will want to use in your classroom. In this article, we will walk you through some innovative ways to use Google Form for student surveys, quizzes, and assessments.
December Research Round Up
Michigan Virtual
Each month our team of researchers highlights K-12 online, blended, and innovative learning research, reports, standards, and other noteworthy resources published nationally and internationally in the preceding weeks. Our hope with this series is to inform the educational community of the latest digital learning research in order to better serve students.
Why Mentors Matter: A Conversation with Jered Borup
Michigan Virtual
Why are on-site mentors so important for online students? In this article, Jered Borup, a digital learning researcher and professor at George Mason University dives into research that supports the critical role that mentors play in highly successful online learning programs.
The Hidden Heroes of Successful Online Courses
Michigan Virtual
Last month, our team discussed key systemic program supports for K-12 online learning based on the National Standards for Quality Online Programs released by Quality Matters (QM) and the Virtual Learn
Many Notable People Among Homeschool Success Stories
Michigan Virtual
With the flexibility and discipline required by homeschooling, it’s no wonder that so many homeschoolers have gone on to amazing careers. Homeschool success stories run the range from top Harvard grads and elite athletes to actors, musicians, and more. In this article, we showcase both historical and recent famous figures who got their start through homeschooling.
Podcast: Engaging with STEM and the Community
The Digital Backpack
In this episode, we’re joined by Spencer Kiper, a STEM educator and the 2019 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year. We focus our conversation on STEM education, the opportunities that have come along w
4 Easy Steps to Prepare Homeschoolers for eLearning Success
Michigan Virtual
You’ve done your homework on eLearning and are ready to power up the computer for your first online course. What comes next? What can you do to best prepare for educational success? Just like back-to-school checklists, an online school has its own set of to-dos. Here are 4 steps to get you started.
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