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The Digital Backpack - Your Resource For Online Learning

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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.

Understanding Engagement in K-12 Online Courses: Part One

Understanding Engagement in K-12 Online Courses: Part One

MVRLI Icon 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.

Research, Instructional Design
SEP 19, 2017
Creating Conditions that Promote Success in Online Learning

Creating Conditions that Promote Success in Online Learning

MVRLI Icon 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].

Research
SEP 11, 2017
Podcast: Sharon Murchie

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

Blended Learning, Podcasts
SEP 05, 2017
Getting to Know Billy

Getting to Know Billy

MVRLI Icon 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].

Research
AUG 28, 2017
The Student Who Made It Anyway

The Student Who Made It Anyway

MVRLI Icon 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].

Research
AUG 21, 2017
Group photo of our online instructors

The New Michigan Virtual

Jamey Fitzpatrick Jamey Fitzpatrick

2018 marks our 20th anniversary as a nonprofit organization. We have witnessed the unparalleled growth of new technology tools that leverage the power and reach of the Internet to address business, en

Leadership
AUG 11, 2017
Episode 40: Kim Loomis, Clark County School District, Nevada

Episode 40: Kim Loomis, Clark County School District, Nevada

MVRLI Icon Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

https://soundcloud.com/mvlri/episode-40-kim-loomis-clark-county-school-district-nevadaIn this episode, we’re talking with Kim Loomis of the Clark County School District in Clark County, Nevada. Kim se

Podcasts, Research
AUG 07, 2017
Success in a Totally Virtual Program

Success in a Totally Virtual Program

MVRLI Icon Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

This is the first 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

Research
AUG 04, 2017
One person hitting another with boxing gloves

The Blended Learning Fight Club

Jamie DeWitt Jamie DeWitt

The first rule of blended learning is: you do not talk about blended learning.

Blended Learning
JUL 17, 2017
Video game controller

Unlocking the Next Level of Science Teaching

Andrew Vanden Heuvel

I’m not ashamed to admit it — I’m 34, married with three children and I still like to play video games.While the Sega Genesis gave birth to my addiction, I do vividly recall huddling around the Commod

Professional Development
JUL 07, 2017
Accountability in Online Learning: Ann Arbor Public Schools

Accountability in Online Learning: Ann Arbor Public Schools

MVRLI Icon Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

This blog post is the second in a series examining district-level accountability and teacher effectiveness related to virtual learning in Michigan. Each post in the series is accompanied by a podcast

Research
JUN 29, 2017
Accountability in Online Learning: Grand Ledge Public Schools

Accountability in Online Learning: Grand Ledge Public Schools

MVRLI Icon Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

This blog post is the first in a series examining district-level accountability and teacher effectiveness related to virtual learning in Michigan. Each post in the series is accompanied by a podcast w

Research
JUN 27, 2017
Online Credit Recovery Series: Buchanan High School

Online Credit Recovery Series: Buchanan High School

MVRLI Icon Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

This blog post is the thir­­d and final in MVLRI’s series on online credit recovery programs in Michigan, examining their intended purposes and key outcomes, the benefits of having online credit recov

Research
MAY 31, 2017
Student motivation in online science courses: A path to spending more time on course and higher achievement

Student motivation in online science courses: A path to spending more time on course and higher achievement

MVRLI Icon Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

Written by:Joshua RosenbergMichigan State [email protected]. John RanellucciHunter College, [email protected] can we motivate our students to engage with the course material

Research
MAY 08, 2017
Online Credit Recovery Series: Kenowa Hills High School

Online Credit Recovery Series: Kenowa Hills High School

MVRLI Icon Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

This blog post is the second in MVLRI’s series on online credit recovery programs in Michigan, examining their intended purposes and key outcomes, the benefits of having online credit recovery program

Research
APR 27, 2017
Campfire Podcast: Dan Spencer

Podcast: The End of Swiss Cheese Learning with Dan Spencer

The Digital Backpack

SHOW #6! We have had a great time chatting with teachers, administrators, and technology integration specialists and this episode was no different. We had on our guest, and friend, Dan Spencer. Dan is

Blended Learning, Podcasts
APR 26, 2017
Comparing Virtual Schools in Michigan to National Trends Identified in NEPC's Annual National Report, 2017

Comparing Virtual Schools in Michigan to National Trends Identified in NEPC's Annual National Report, 2017

MVRLI Icon Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

In April 2017, the National Education Policy Center (NEPC), released its fifth annual report on virtual schools in the U.S, Virtual Schools in the U.S. 2017. In it, the authors provide “objective anal

Research
APR 25, 2017
Conference Recap: 2017 Blended and Personalized Learning Conference

Conference Recap: 2017 Blended and Personalized Learning Conference

MVRLI Icon Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

MVLRI staff attended the 2017 Blended and Personalized Learning Conference, hosted by The Highlander Institute, The Christensen Institute and The Learning Accelerator. Over the course of two days, att

Research
APR 11, 2017
Spacious Classroom

Physical Spaces

Jeff Gerlach

Designing the physical classroom to accommodate modern learning

Blended Learning
MAR 29, 2017
Campfire Podcast: Rachelle Wynkoop

Podcast: Talking Marginalia with Rachelle

The Digital Backpack

Thanks so much for tuning into the show and checking out the show notes! We appreciate YOU! In our 5th episode, we got into some deep conversations with Rachelle Wynkoop surrounding literacy, explored

Blended Learning, Podcasts
MAR 28, 2017

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