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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.
Conversation with Barrington Principal & Assistant Superintendent: The Value of the iCreate Space
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
“Our students are really working in the iCreate Lab already, and it’s exciting to see.”Given what is happening on a national and international level, the students have decided that there's been a
Conversations with Barrington Teachers: Part 2 The iCreate Space and the Challenges of a New Initiative
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
“We are a little overwhelmed by all of the Fuse Architect meetings with all of the groups involved. We have a lot of initiatives going at the same time, and a lot that is changing in our day-to-day wo
Conversations with Barrington Teachers: Part 1 The Power of the iCreate Space
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
In late 2017, we had the opportunity to catch up with the Barrington High School teachers. They had so much to say about their work in the iCreate Space, a maker space that was set up as part of the F
A Principal's Perspective: Newport Area Career and Technical Center
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
We heard from Rob Young recently the P-TECH High School Director in Newport, Rhode Island, who shared more about their experience in the Fuse Architect project.“I can speak the language.”Because I had
Bringing The Team to the Courageous Side of Fear
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
We had the opportunity to chat with Principal Dan Warner at Narragansett High School who shared with us an organic shift from fear to courage with his Fuse Architect team.One area of growth for our te
Moving beyond student voice to empowering students in designing their learning
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
Student-centered learning has exploded as a mantra in many education circles. For the schools involved in Fuse Architects, this is no different. Schools’ applications and design meetings were and cont
Virtual Viewpoints: Roberto Gonzalez, STEAM Box
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
https://soundcloud.com/mvlri/episode-4-roberto-gonzalez-steam-boxThis episode is the fourth in our series documenting the Fuse Architect Project, a collaboration between the Nellie Mae Education Found
Virtual Viewpoints Podcast: Pegah Rahmanian, Youth in Action
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
https://soundcloud.com/mvlri/episode-6-pegah-rahmanian-youth-in-action#t=0:00This episode is the fifth in our series documenting the Fuse Architect Project, a collaboration between the Nellie Mae Educ
The Blended Files — "As Seen on TV: Blended Learning's Greatest Achievements"
Emily Sicilia
Welcome 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 Luckhardt
My 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.
The challenge of “thinking outside of the box” while existing inside the box
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
In education as in other sectors, there exists this buzz phrase – “thinking outside the box.” While so commonly used, Highlander and its Fuse Architect partner schools have experienced that this phras
Virtual Viewpoints Podcast: Emily Zilly and Students, Rogers High School
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
https://soundcloud.com/mvlri/episode-5-emily-zilly-and-students-rogers-high-school This episode is the fifth in our series documenting the Fuse Architect Project, a collaboration between the Nellie Ma
Introducing the Fuse Architect Schools – Woonsocket High School and the Woonsocket Area Career and Technical Center
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
The only high school in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, Woonsocket High School is led by principal Carnell Henderson with a school mission to “do what is in the best interests of this community’s students s
The Learning Sciences and Personalized, Competency-Based Learning: Thoughts from the Frontier of Research-Practice Partnerships in Virtual Learning
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
This past January, iNACOL released the report Current to Future State: Issues and Action Steps for State Policy to Support Personalized, Competency-Based Learning. Among its key recommendations for ac
Virtual Viewpoints Podcast: Paula Dillon, Barrington Public Schools
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
https://soundcloud.com/mvlri/episode-3-paula-dillon-barrington-public-schoolsThis episode is the third in our series documenting the Integrated Learning Systems project, a collaboration between the Ne
How Does Online Learning Really Work?: A Conversation with Mitch Albom
Michigan Virtual
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.
The Students of Today & Tomorrow: A Conversation with Mitch Albom
Michigan Virtual
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.
What's Getting in the Way of Progress in Michigan's Education System?: A Conversation with Mitch Albom
Michigan Virtual
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 barriers to progress in Michigan's educational system with a panel of the leaders of several of Michigan's educational organizations.
Why Are Michigan's Literacy Rates So Low?: A Conversation with Mitch Albom
Michigan Virtual
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.
Introducing the Fuse Architect Schools – Newport Area Career and Technical Center
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
Led by Director Rob Young, the Newport Area Career and Technical Center’s (NACTC) program has pockets of student centered learning embedded throughout the school; however, the Fuse Architect design te
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