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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.

Ripe Apples in Orchard ready for harvesting

Rural Virtual Learning

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This is the fifth 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].

Research, Mentoring
APR 16, 2018
A money tree coming out of a book in a library

Michigan's Literacy Crisis is a Public Health Crisis

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Who 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.

Teaching
MAR 27, 2018
Silhouette of kids playing with technology

Turning Digital Natives into Digital Citizens

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Two educators share their experiences teaching digital literacyLast week, I had the great pleasure of speaking to two educators about their experiences teaching digital literacy.The conversations that

Teaching
MAR 22, 2018
Godfrey-Lee Public Schools Rebel U Shield

Podcast: Live Episode @ Rebel U

The Digital Backpack

In 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.

Blended Learning, Podcasts
FEB 19, 2018
Anchor in Sand

Podcast: Anchors Away!

The Digital Backpack

In 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.

Blended Learning, Podcasts
JAN 27, 2018
Swartz Creek Academy Stresses Responsibility, Growth, and Relationships

Swartz Creek Academy Stresses Responsibility, Growth, and Relationships

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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

Research
DEC 20, 2017
Episode 45: Mimi Ito, UC Irvine and Justin Reich, MIT

Episode 45: Mimi Ito, UC Irvine and Justin Reich, MIT

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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

Podcasts, Research
DEC 18, 2017
Child staring out a window in a classroom

Innovation in Education

Andrea McKay 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.

Teaching
NOV 30, 2017
Opportunities for Engaging Students in

Opportunities for Engaging Students in "Data Practices" in Online Science Classes

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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

Research
NOV 20, 2017
Episode 44: Jordan Rickles, American Institutes for Research

Episode 44: Jordan Rickles, American Institutes for Research

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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

Podcasts, Research
NOV 15, 2017
Devices showing FlipGrid

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?

Blended Learning, Podcasts
NOV 08, 2017
The Office 365 Dashboard

Free Microsoft services that are great for classroom use

Jeff Gerlach

Designing the physical classroom to accommodate modern learning

Tips and Tools
OCT 27, 2017
Where the Research is @iNACOL 2017

Where the Research is @iNACOL 2017

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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

Research
OCT 23, 2017
Episode 43: John Jacobs, Wisconsin eSchool Network

Episode 43: John Jacobs, Wisconsin eSchool Network

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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

Podcasts, Research
OCT 16, 2017
Episode 42: Charles Graham, BYU and Jered Borup, GMU

Episode 42: Charles Graham, BYU and Jered Borup, GMU

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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

Podcasts, Research
SEP 29, 2017
How SOAR Academic Institute Puts Relationships in Focus

How SOAR Academic Institute Puts Relationships in Focus

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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-

Research
SEP 29, 2017
Michigan Virtual honored by Quality Matters for quality courses and impact on student success

Michigan Virtual honored by Quality Matters for quality courses and impact on student success

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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

Online Learning
SEP 27, 2017
Social Presence and Its Relationship to Learning Outcomes with Credit Recovery and Non-credit Recovery Students

Social Presence and Its Relationship to Learning Outcomes with Credit Recovery and Non-credit Recovery Students

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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

Research
SEP 27, 2017
Understanding Engagement in K-12 Online Courses: Part Two

Understanding Engagement in K-12 Online Courses: Part Two

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AuthorsAndrew Vanden Heuvel, Michigan VirtualKristi Peacock, Michigan VirtualKristen DeBruler, Michigan Virtual Learning Research InstituteAnecdotal evidence from course designers and Michigan Virtual

Research, Instructional Design
SEP 27, 2017
Episode 41: John Watson of Evergreen Education Returns

Episode 41: John Watson of Evergreen Education Returns

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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

Podcasts, Research
SEP 27, 2017

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