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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.
Out of Order, Out of Reach: An Interview with a Researcher
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, online learning has become increasingly prevalent, offering students flexibility and accessibility to course materials. Recent research has delved into the
Solving the Pacing Puzzle: What We Know About the Importance of Student Pacing in Online Courses
Kelly Cuccolo
One key aspect that significantly influences student success in online courses is pacing, or the way students progress through course material over time. This blog explores the crucial role of pacing and how to provide students with the guidance and structure they need for success.
Charting Teen Passions: A Practical Guide for Guardians and Educators
Michigan Virtual
Teens are still discovering what excites them—and your support matters. This guide offers practical ways to help them explore their interests, build confidence, and stay curious. From everyday observations to thoughtful conversations, learn how to create a learning environment that helps teens grow with purpose.
Using AP Exam Data to Drive Discussions about AP Courses
Michigan Virtual conducted an analysis to understand the factors influencing whether students take AP exams. They found that higher course grades and course subject were associated with exam participation. However, other factors beyond grades also contribute to student achievement. This analysis helps Michigan Virtual reflect on their courses and improve support for AP students.
Faster vs Better: Finding the Best Opportunities for AI in Education
Justin Bruno
Move beyond efficiency and take an intentional approach to adopting generative AI tools like ChatGPT.
Essentialism in the Age of GenAI
Ken Dirkin
The rise of GenAI, while offering immense potential for innovation and efficiency, also brings with it significant environmental costs.
Highlights from the 2023 AI Summit
Justin Bruno
The 2023 AI Summit at Michigan State University explored the impact of AI on education, featuring presentations urging innovative thinking, emphasizing learner-centered design, and discussing personalization with AI. Attendees expressed optimism for positive change in education practices, recognizing the urgency to adapt to rapid technological advancements.
AI, Learning, and Performance
Justin Bruno
Unveiling the impact of AI in education, proponents tout personalized learning, while critics caution against possible dependencies.
Creating a Culture of Continuous, Collaborative, and Personalized Professional Learning
Christa Green
Not only is the professional learning happening within Michigan's Grand Ledge Public Schools continuous and collaborative, it is also rooted in their strategic plan, reflective of their beliefs about student learning, and personalized to fit the unique needs of each staff member.
Mapping the Mentorship Landscape: Insights on Mentoring in Different School Settings
Kelly Cuccolo
This blog is based on a larger report from Michigan Virtual and explores the experiences of mentors working in different school settings. It additionally includes potential options for supporting mentors in their efforts to assist students in their online learning courses.
Supporting Schools: Maintaining an AI Tools toolkit for educators
Justin Bruno
Michigan Virtual's AI Resource Bank offers a curated compilation of websites, articles, podcasts, and tools. Engage with this evolving repository, explore emerging trends, and contribute to the conversation by sharing your own valuable resources for consideration.
A Framework for Empathy: 3 steps leaders can follow to center educators’ Needs and Wants
Anne Perez
Part 1 of this blog series digs into the results of a survey on what educators need and want from their professional learning experiences. Here in Part 2, we show you the framework we used to create and conduct the survey as well as provide you with ideas for implementing this framework in your own context. Special thanks to my colleague, Danielle Peck, who contributed significantly to this study and the writing of these blogs.
Personalizing Education: How Web3 and Digital Identity Empower Learners and Promote Equity
Dr. Mike Peck
Welcome back to our third and final installment of this introductory series on web3. In this series we’ve explored the technology and trends shaping the next generation of the web and most importantly
Street Data and Empathy: Revealing What Educators Truly Want from Professional Learning
Anne Perez
What do educators actually WANT out of their professional learning experiences? This is a question my colleague Danielle, who contributed significantly to this study and the writing of these blogs, an
The Web3 Revolution: 3 Critical Ways Web3 is Transforming Education and Work
Dr. Mike Peck
Step into the web3 era with this deep dive into its groundbreaking implications for education. From blockchain-enabled credentials to learner-employment records, see how this digital revolution could redefine learning and how we can prepare students for a rapidly evolving future.
Web3 101: What educators need to know about the future of the web
Dr. Mike Peck
Remember the days when the internet resembled a massive library, and Google was our librarian? Well, the internet has evolved a lot since then! As we transition to web3 — the 'read-write-own' era — we gain unprecedented control over our data and information. As educators, it's our responsibility to adjust to this new reality while embracing its exciting possibilities. Let's explore what web3 means for the future of education together!
Mastering the email game: Three hacks for getting students to ACTUALLY read & reply to your emails
Jonelle Barker
Discover the art of successful email communication with students. By following these three proven email hacks, you’ll stop sending emails that result in crickets and instead create authentic, engaging digital communications that foster rapport between you and your students.
AI's growing role in education: Top 5 predictions from Michigan school leaders
Nikolas McGehee
Will AI be the key to transforming education? Explore five game-changing ways AI has the potential to reshape the classroom and enhance student learning.
Overcoming procrastination: Boost student executive function with transparent planning (+ free template!)
Danielle Peck
The transparent planning process offers strategies for combatting procrastination and strengthening students’ executive function. This process not only can improve academic outcomes but also helps instill lifelong skills in students. In this article, I dive into the connection between procrastination and executive function before exploring what transparent planning is and how it can help. I’ll also share a free Google template you can use to practice transparent planning with your students.
Designing for the future with AI: Lessons learned in curriculum development
Nikolas McGehee
Michigan Virtual's educators experimented with ChatGPT to generate content for online courses, offering insights into its potential benefits and limitations in areas like content creation, individualized learning, and the 5D course design process.
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