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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.
Swartz Creek Academy Stresses Responsibility, Growth, and Relationships
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
Richard Thompson is the Dean of Students and Director of Operations at Swartz Creek Academy. The Academy is an alternative education school in Swartz Creek, Michigan, that provides students an opportu
Episode 45: Mimi Ito, UC Irvine and Justin Reich, MIT
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
https://soundcloud.com/mvlri/episode-45-mimi-ito-uc-irvine-and-justin-reich-mitIn this episode, we’re joined by two researchers affiliated with the Digital Media and Learning Research Hub – Mimi Ito f
Innovation in Education
Andrea McKay
Students have access to more information in their pockets than ever before, yet they are often told to leave their phones in their lockers.
Opportunities for Engaging Students in "Data Practices" in Online Science Classes
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
What are Data Practices?Data are powerful, both in science and science education as well as in our everyday lives. By preparing students to think about data, students can question the claims of scient
Episode 44: Jordan Rickles, American Institutes for Research
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
https://soundcloud.com/mvlri/episode-44-jordan-rickles-american-institutes-for-researchIn this episode, we’re joined by Jordan Rickles, principal researcher at the American Institutes for Research. Jo
Podcast: Flipgrid & The Great Chicken/Egg Debate
The Digital Backpack
Jeff 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 Gerlach
Designing the physical classroom to accommodate modern learning
Where the Research is @iNACOL 2017
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
For the last few years, MVLRI & TLA have been co-hosting the preconference K-12 Research Community Meeting at iNACOL. We hope to see you this year!We have several great panels planned, including:a
Episode 43: John Jacobs, Wisconsin eSchool Network
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
https://soundcloud.com/mvlri/episode-43-john-jacobs-wiscons-eschool-networkJohn Jacobs, the Director of the Wisconsin eSchool Network, joins us for this episode. He paints for us a picture of the digi
Episode 42: Charles Graham, BYU and Jered Borup, GMU
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
https://soundcloud.com/mvlri/episode-42-charles-graham-byu-and-jered-borup-gmuIn this episode, we’re talking with two researchers about a project they are currently working on to develop a tool to ass
How SOAR Academic Institute Puts Relationships in Focus
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
Matt Daly is the Director at SOAR Academic Institute in South Redford, Michigan. SOAR serves students in grades 6 through 12 with a fully online curriculum and provides support to students through on-
Episode 41: John Watson of Evergreen Education Returns
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
https://soundcloud.com/mvlri/episode-41-john-watson-of-evergreen-education-returnsIn this episode, we are joined once again by John Watson of the Evergreen Education Group. Since the last time John jo
Michigan Virtual honored by Quality Matters for quality courses and impact on student success
Michigan Virtual
LANSING, 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 con
Social Presence and Its Relationship to Learning Outcomes with Credit Recovery and Non-credit Recovery Students
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
AuthorsYining ZhangMichigan State UniversityChin-Hsi LinThe University of Hong KongIn recent years, online courses have become a major alternative method for at-risk students’ credit recovery (CR) eff
Understanding Engagement in K-12 Online Courses: Part Two
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
AuthorsAndrew Vanden Heuvel, Michigan VirtualKristi Peacock, Michigan VirtualKristen DeBruler, Michigan Virtual Learning Research InstituteAnecdotal evidence from course designers and Michigan Virtual
Understanding Engagement in K-12 Online Courses: Part One
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
Anecdotal evidence from course designers and Michigan Virtual™ instructors suggested that some students were not fully engaged with their online course materials. There was a commonly held belief by instructional staff and designers that some students were picking and choosing which assignments to do and only did the minimum required to get their desired grade. It was thought that some students were spending only as much time in the course as absolutely necessary, and even when in the course, not taking full advantage of all course materials.
Creating Conditions that Promote Success in Online Learning
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
This is the fourth in a series of blog posts written by Michigan Virtual’s Regional Mentor Leaders to bring to life what mentors do to build and maintain a supportive online learner environment to help students be successful. If you are a mentor and would like to share a strategy, a success story, or another topic that illustrates how you support students, please email [email protected].
Podcast: Putting Students in the Driver’s Seat
The Digital Backpack
After a summer hiatus (or a summer full of professional learning opportunities with teachers), we’re back! In this episode, we chat with Sharon Murchie, a high school English teacher with Bath Communi
Getting to Know Billy
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
This is the third in a series of blog posts written by Michigan Virtual’s Regional Mentor Leaders to bring to life what mentors do to build and maintain a supportive online learner environment to help students be successful. If you are a mentor and would like to share a strategy, a success story, or another topic that illustrates how you support students, please email [email protected].
The Student Who Made It Anyway
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
This is the second in a series of blog posts written by Michigan Virtual’s Regional Mentor Leaders to bring to life what mentors do to build and maintain a supportive online learner environment to help students be successful. If you are a mentor and would like to share a strategy, a success story, or another topic that illustrates how you support students, please email [email protected].
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