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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.
Episode 22: Denise Airola, Office of Innovation for Education, University of Arkansas
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
In this episode, we talk with Denise Airola, the Director of the Office of Innovation for Education at the University of Arkansas. Denise and her team are incredibly knowledgeable about how schools ca
Episode 21: Kristin Fontichiaro, University of Michigan
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
In this episode, we’re chatting with Kristin Fontichiaro, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Information at the University of Michigan’s School of Information. Kristin and I spend some time talking abo
Learn from the best at Blended & Personalized Learning Conference
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
On April 2, 2016, the Highlander Institute and the Christensen Institute showcased the best blended learning implementers from across the nation in Providence, Rhode Island, at the Blended & Perso
Teacher self-assessment for blended learning
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
Academic research in the field of effective practices specific to blended and online learning in K-12 classrooms is still “young,” so the lack of data to define those practices and build the resources
Episode 20: Dave Lefkowith, Louisiana Department of Education
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
In this episode, we have an engaging conversation with Dave Lefkowith, perhaps better own as Lefty, of the Louisiana Department of Education. As the Assistant Superintendent at the LADOE, Lefty worked
How districts can measure blended learning
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
Does blended learning work?I’ll bet many of you have asked or been asked that question. Regardless of our role in implementing blended learning, whether we are considering it as an instructional model
Episode 19: Competency-based Education
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
In this episode, we chat with Rose Colby, who is involved in a number of different initiatives at the state and national level concerning competency-based education. We ask Rose exactly what people me
Episode 18: Christine Fox of SETDA Returns
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
Our guest for this episode is actually a returning guest: Christine Fox, Director of Educational Leadership and Research of the State Educational Technology Directors Association, or SETDA. Christine
The Force Awakens Your Classroom
David Young
The blended learning team challenged their colleague, David Young (Instructional Design Manager at Michigan Virtual), to channel his excitement for the release of the new Star Wars film into a guest b
Episode 17: Year-End Review With MyBlend
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Gerlach of Michigan Virtual's blended learning team to reflect on a year of podcasting, sharing our insights, listening to clips from some previous episodes
Episode 16: Saro Mohammed
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
Our guest for this episode is Saro Mohammed, a partner at the Learning Accelerator. The Learning Accelerator, or TLA, works directly with school districts and states to develop implementation strategi
Call for Papers – Special Issue of Journal of Online Learning Research
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
K-12 online learning has grown dramatically the last decade. Despite its popularity among diverse parents and students (Beck, Maranto, & Egalite, 2014; Beck, Maranto, & Lo, 2014), it is becomi
The All Too Often Neglected Teacher Superpower
Kelli Hixon
Throughout my childhood, I had teachers I connected with in a way I will never forget, while others have faded in my memories. What is the extra “something” those teachers possess? I think I’ve finally figured it out.
A comprehensive look at postsecondary distance education enrollment in Michigan
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
In a previous blog post, we’ve examined online and distance education enrollment rates at postsecondary institutions across the United States. In this post, we’ll provide some local context by examini
Episode 15: Joel Rose
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
This episode's guest is Joel Rose, the Co-Founder and CEO of New Classrooms Innovation Partners. Joel and his team at New Classrooms are striving to implement personalized learning models in scho
Change, The Monster Lurking Under your Blended Learning Bed
Stacey Schuh
Change is not always easy for me. Ok, it is never easy for me. I dread the unknown, funny since a major part of my job is to support changes in education. Every day I encourage educators to take a lea
Episode 14: Julia Freeland Fisher
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
Our guest for this episode is Julia Freeland Fisher, Director of Education at the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation. Julia and I discuss some of her recent work focusing on helpi
Episode 13: Beatriz Arnillas
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
Our guest for this episode is Beatriz Arnillas, the Director of IT and Education Technology at the Houston Independent School District in Houston, Texas. Beatriz provides some insight into what it’s l
OLC addressing K-12 online teaching & learning research
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
The Online Learning Consortium is launching a new special interest area addressing the research and practice of K-12 online teaching and learning.Twenty-five concurrent sessions at the 21st Annual Onl
Episode 12: Paul Curtis
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
Our guest for this episode is Paul Curtis, the Director of Curriculum for the New Tech Network. Paul touches on some of the history of the organization, one that has been around for a surprisingly lon
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