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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.
3 tips for bringing hope into the alternative classroom
Michigan Virtual
Or listen on Apple, Spotify, Google, or another platform. Alternatively, you can read along with the transcript.For students who struggle in the traditional classroom, alternative education programs c
Bolstering Michigan's Teacher Recruitment through Grow Your Own Programs
Ed Timke
There is a teacher recruitment and retention crisis in Michigan and across the country. Why is there a crisis? What can be done? This last post in a blog series on teacher recruitment and retention summarizes the potential to address the crisis through Grow Your Own Programs.
Modernizing Professional Learning, Modeling Effective Practices for Student-Centered Learning
Christa Green
Based on direct input from learners via end-of-course survey data, Michigan Virtual’s Professional Learning Services team has modernized their professional learning for educators while modeling effective practices for student-centered learning.
3 things to consider when implementing restorative practices
Michigan Virtual
Getting ready to take restorative practices to the next level in your school community? Check out this list of strategies first!
3 ways to bring digital literacy into your classroom
Michigan Virtual
This Kalamazoo teacher is passionate about teaching digital literacy skills to the next generation.
Esports is coming to a school near you (here's why that's a good thing!)
Like anything new and growing at a fast pace, esports can be a confusing topic. Today, we will explore the benefits of encouraging esports in schools using global examples and my personal experience w
3 tips for engaging students in the post-pandemic classroom
Michigan Virtual
This Michigan teacher is changing up her instruction to better meet the needs of her students in the post-pandemic classroom.
Simulations, Visualizations, and Interactives: When to use them, why you should use them, and where to find them
Nikolas McGehee
Simulations, Visualizations, Interactive Applications and their place in education.Learning in the year 2022 looks vastly different than it did in the early days of education theory development. Educa
3 ways to support students experiencing trauma
Michigan Virtual
Check out this Washtenaw teacher’s go-to strategies for creating a trauma-informed classroom.
3 ways to make your math instruction more equitable
Michigan Virtual
This Detroit teacher is fighting to challenge stereotypes about who is and isn’t “good at math.”
Supports associated with teacher retention in Michigan
Ed Timke
There is a teacher recruitment and retention crisis in Michigan and across the country. Why is there a crisis? What can be done? This third post in a blog series on teacher recruitment and retention summarizes an important recent study on factors that help teacher retention in Michigan.
3 tips for starting an esports program at your school
Michigan Virtual
Esports is a billion-dollar industry and growing fast. That’s just one of many reasons this assistant principal from Ludington is giving students who may not otherwise engage in school activities the critical opportunity to be part of a team.
3 tried-and-true tips for mentoring online learners
Michigan Virtual
Here’s how you can help your online students THRIVE in the virtual classroom.
Reviewing Michigan's K-12 Virtual Learning Effectiveness Report
The author of Michigan’s K-12 Virtual Learning Effectiveness Report shares a few highlights from the 2020-21 school year to encourage a deeper dive into the full report.
3 tips for building agency as a teacher
Michigan Virtual
Feeling overwhelmed and looking for strategies to take back your agency? Here are three tips for building this vital skill as an educator.
Integrating STEM in your classroom using the “Grand Challenges for Engineering”
Nikolas McGehee
What is STEM, and why should I be teaching it?STEM education has been gaining momentum since the turn of the millennium, largely because of the pace of technological advances and the rapidly changing
22 Tech Tools for 2022
Emily Sicilia
Do you need to spice up your lesson plans? Add a little pizzazz to your classroom? Or just find a tech tool that makes life easier?I've compiled 22 Tech Tools for 2022. Each includes a brief desc
3 tips for starting a therapy dog program at your school
Michigan Virtual
Check out this Michigan principal’s top three tips for starting a therapy dog program at your school!
3 tips for bringing mindfulness into your classroom
Michigan Virtual
This media specialist is bringing mindfulness into the classroom to help students manage their mental health.
3 strategies for using AAC to foster student authenticity and self-advocacy
Michigan Virtual
This Michigan speech-language pathologist is fighting for every child’s right — regardless of ability — to fully communicate their thoughts and feelings.
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