Category: Research

Competency-based education in mathematics

Teacher recruitment and retention: A snapshot of an ongoing crisis

There is a teacher recruitment and retention crisis in Michigan and across the country. Why is there a crisis? What can be done? This first post in a blog series on teacher recruitment and retention provides a snapshot of the crisis and some initial recommendations on how to fight it.

Why are schools making learning student-centered?

Christa Green

While the more traditional teacher-centered model of education does work for some students, it does not work for all.

4 differences between traditional teaching methods and competency-based education

My child is taking a competency-based course. What should I expect?

Research on Blended Learning, Teaching, & Professional Development

Kristen DeBruler

Research on Michigan’s K-12 Online Learning Demographics, Effectiveness, Evaluation, Quality, & Policy

Kristen DeBruler

Competency-Based Education and the Classroom Challenges

The Case for Coaching and Tutoring

Eight Years of Research on K-12 Special Populations and Motivation

Kristen DeBruler

Over the past eight years, Michigan Virtual has paid particular attention to online special populations and subsequently online student motivation. Our research team has focused on topics such as online credit recovery, supporting online students with disabilities, and the role of motivation in online courses.

Research on K-12 Online Best Practices

Kristen DeBruler

One of the first themes to clearly distinguish itself during the analysis of the reports published by Michigan Virtual was best practices in K-12 online learning. Over the last several years, our research team has explored factors for online student success such enrollment reason, student pacing, teacher-student communication, and instructor role.

Looking Ahead: How to Thrive in (and Beyond) the 2020-21 School Year

What steps can you be taking now to better prepare your students, yourself, and your school district for the future? When you think about the learning environment that your students will need, does it encompass any of the principles of student-centered learning?

Increasing Learner Agency Through Continuous Monitoring of Student Needs

Student-centered learning is about more than just putting students at the center of education. It is about giving each student the opportunity for success. It is about designing learning to be flexible and adaptable for each learner, not just the average student. It is about understanding the whole child—what they need both academically and non-academically—and giving students the skills they need for success within and beyond the classroom.

Tips and Tricks for Communicating with Parents and Students

During this time of remote learning, what are some best practices in the ways you communicate with your students and their parents? In this webinar, we’ll explore examples and tips for communication, specific tools and resources to aid this process, and lessons learned from applying these practices.

Competency-Based Progression: Designed for Student Success

As we transition into another school year faced with many uncertainties, maybe it doesn’t make sense to try and get back to “normal.” Maybe the need for learning continuity and remote learning actually provides us with an opportunity to look at teaching and learning differently. Maybe this is an opportunity to rethink what we know and believe education to be. Maybe this is an opportunity to make learning more student-centered.

How Implementing Voice & Choice Can Improve Student Engagement

Schools will look different this fall, there’s no doubt. However, the need to rapidly adopt virtual learning is no longer an emergency. We knew it was coming. So what can we do differently this time?

District Plans for Shifting to Remote Instruction in Spring 2020

Should we go fully digital, use paper copies, or use a hybrid model? How will we assess the technology needs of our students? Should we arrange for meal pick up, delivery, or some combination? How will we manage and monitor student learning? How will we continue to meet the social-emotional needs of our students? These are just some of the questions that school leaders faced as they developed their plans for continued learning after school doors were shuttered for the year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Student-Centered Learning at Fraser Public Schools

Competency-based learning. Asking kids to do things rather than know things. Designing learning for all. Just some of the ways in which at Fraser, learning drives innovation.

Student-Centered Learning at FlexTech High Schools

Student-centered by design. Meeting kids where they are. Competency-based learning. Project-based curriculum. Just some of the ways FlexTech is giving students permission to choose rather than deciding for them.

Creating a Supportive Learning Environment for Online Students: Communication is Key

What does a supportive online learning environment look like? Administrators, parents, mentors, and teachers must work together and communicate effectively. While overlap in responsibilities is inevitable, each has a defined role in shaping an online learning environment conducive to student success.