The article “Addressing a problem of practice through research partnerships: How should you prepare students for online learning?” — originally published by the Digital Learning Collaborative on August 5, 2020 — summarizes the results of our joint study on the efficacy of online learning preparation programs and raises questions such as:
- Should an orientation be optional or mandatory?
- What content is important for an orientation? Is an orientation focused on how to use the specific learning management system more effective than an orientation focused on skills for learning online?
- What is the purpose of an orientation? Should it screen out students who are not prepared to learn online or should it prepare all students to be successful?
- When are students enrolling in online courses? Do you need to differentiate students’ onboarding experiences based on when they enroll?
- What supports are being provided throughout the course to help students be successful in online learning? Are they effective?
Michigan Virtual
For more than 27 years, Michigan Virtual has partnered with K–12 school districts across Michigan to expand learning opportunities for students and educators alike. Through our high-quality online courses, taught by Michigan-certified, highly qualified teachers, we empower students to learn anytime, anywhere. We also provide affordable, impactful professional development to help educators grow in their craft. Most recently, Michigan Virtual has been at the forefront of innovation and artificial intelligence in education, offering consultation services and professional learning to guide schools in thoughtfully integrating new technologies and learning pathways.