Research Publications
MVLRI’s research provides a foundation to examine, engage and explore educational practices in the industry.
MVLRI is dedicated to taking education techniques to the next level. We believe that with proper research, the ways we learn can continue to evolve to strengthen our futures.
Educating Students Across Locales: Understanding Enrollment and Performance Across Virtual Schools
Researchers at MVLRI and the Virtual School Leadership Alliance investigated the enrollment and pass rates of students in all locales to see how well students performed.
iEducator: Program Design and Reflection
This report introduces and details the iEducator program and includes reflections from the administrative and instructional design teams involved in the development of the program, as well as reflections and feedback from the iEducators themselves.
Statewide Blended Learning Implementation: Voices From Fuse RI Stakeholders
This report is the second in a series focused on research being conducted with the Highlander Institute on their Fuse RI project, a statewide blended learning implementation initiative in Rhode Island, RI.
Quality Assurance in K-12 Online Learning Programs: Michigan Case Studies
This report presents case studies of three exemplar programs that represent major types of K-12 online and blended learning programs (supplemental, alternative, and charter). Each of these freestanding case studies explores the ways in which a successful program seeks to ensure quality and positive student outcomes, with a focus on the five iNACOL quality metrics cited above.
Transforming Rural K-12 Education Through Blended Learning: Student Perspectives
The Transforming Rural K-12 Education Through Blended Learning study provides a perspective of rural students who have engaged in a variety of forms of blended learning. Their perception is valuable to teachers and administrators who might currently be teaching a blended learning course or considering the option of teaching such a course.
Public Awareness and Views of K-12 Online Learning in Michigan 2015
From August 20–August 24, 2015, Public Sector Consultants, Inc. (PSC) conducted a telephone poll with 800 adult residents of Michigan to obtain their opinions about online learning opportunities for public school students in Michigan. This survey is a follow-up to a similar poll conducted by PSC in 2014. It was designed to include common questions for comparison purposes, as well as new questions to build on the 2014 survey results. This summary provides highlights of the 2015 survey, along with comparisons to 2014 when appropriate.
A Report to the Legislature, 2015
This report is submitted in compliance with Section 98 (6) of Public Act 85 of 2015, which requires the Michigan Virtual University (MVU) to provide, not later than December 1 of each fiscal year, a report to the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on State School Aid, the State Budget Director, the House and Senate Fiscal Agencies and the Department of Education that includes specific information related to the Michigan Virtual School (MVS) for the preceding fiscal year.
Supporting Online Learners: Michigan Mentor Program Case Studies
A mentor can make all the difference whether you’re a new employee on a job or a young person looking for guidance from a caring adult. In online learning, a good mentor can be the difference between passing and failing. A case study of mentor programs conducted by MVLRI describes what mentoring looks like in a particular school, develops a set of profiles that illustrate the range of mentoring programs across the state and provides points of comparison for mentors, instructors, administrators, parents and students about alternative support structures and strategies for online learners.
Accountability in K-12 Online Learning Course Access Programs: Stakeholder Recommendations for Policy and Practice
K-12 online learning continues to grow in primary and secondary schools, while educational policy strives to keep up with the ever-changing environment. Specifically in the state of Michigan, a recent statewide analysis of online learning showed that over 76,000 students took at least one virtual course in the 2013-14 school year, accounting for over 319,000 virtual enrollments.
Fuse RI: An Open Access Model of K-12 Blended Learning Implementation
MVLRI is studying and documenting Fuse RI, an open access state model for supporting and expanding K-12 blended learning in Rhode Island. Developed by the Highlander Institute in Providence, RI, Fuse RI is a national model for delivering tailored support to local school districts as they deepen their knowledge and implementation of blended learning at their own pace.
Recruiting, Training, Supporting, and Evaluating Online Teachers: A Cross-case Analysis of Teaching Infrastructure Across Virtual Schools
The Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute conducted a study of the similarities and differences across Virtual School Leadership Alliance member programs with a focus on teacher recruitment, hiring, training, support, evaluation and retention.
Michigan's K-12 Virtual Learning Effectiveness Report, 2013-14
Based on pupil completion and performance data reported by school entities to the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) or the Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI), this report highlights 2013-14 enrollment totals, completion rates, and the overall impact of virtual courses on K-12 pupils.
Michigan's K-12 Virtual Learning Effectiveness Report, 2014-15
Based on pupil completion and performance data reported by school entities to the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) or the Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI), this report highlights 2014-15 enrollment totals, completion rates, and the overall impact of virtual courses on K-12 pupils.
Public Awareness and Views of K-12 Online Learning in Michigan
A strong majority of Michigan adults—79%—feel that it is important for middle and high school students to have the option of enrolling in an online course at their local school district, according to a recent survey of Michigan adults. However, only 27% know Michigan has had a high school online learning requirement since 2006. The survey—the first of its kind in Michigan—was led by Michigan Virtual and conducted by Public Sector Consultants to gauge support for K-12 online learning and to determine adult awareness of current education policies.
Public Awareness and Views of K-12 Online Learning in Michigan 2014
From September 19 to September 21, 2014, Public Sector Consultants conducted a telephone poll with 800 adult residents of Michigan to get their opinions about online learning opportunities for public school students in Michigan. The poll included 480 landline and 320 cell phone respondents, and has an overall margin of error of +/- 3.5% at a 95% confidence level. To control for potential bias, the sample was monitored to ensure an adequate numbers of respondents in certain subgroups (particularly for respondents age 18-35). Post-stratification weights were applied for gender, race, age, income, and educational attainment using American Community Survey estimates of Michigan’s population.
A Report to the Legislature, 2014
This report is submitted in compliance with Section 98 (6) of Public Act 196 of 2014, which requires the Michigan Virtual to provide, not later than December 1 of each fiscal year, a report to the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on State School Aid, the State Budget Director, the House and Senate Fiscal Agencies and the Department of Education that includes specific information related to the Michigan Virtual School for the preceding fiscal year.
Evaluation and Approval Constructs for Online and Blended Course Providers
A recently released Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute report examines existing policies and practices related to the evaluation and approval of online and blended learning in the 50 states as well as relevant international examples, such as those arising from Canada’s province-based K-12 education systems.
Findings and Reflections from the K-12 Teaching in the 21st Century MOOC
Following the conclusion of a massive open online course (MOOC) in the Fall of 2013 by Michigan Virtual and researchers from Kent State University, evidence presented in a final report suggests that MOOCs can lead to positive outcomes, particularly as they relate to getting teachers to think more deeply about teaching and learning in the 21st century.
Michigan's K-12 Virtual Learning Effectiveness Report, 2010-11 to 2012-13
Based on pupil completion and performance data reported by school entities to the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) or the Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI), this report highlights enrollment totals, completion rates, and the overall impact of virtual courses on K-12 pupils. Through this report, the authors sought to 1) expose and explore the variability that exists in the use of and performance in virtual courses and 2) develop a more nuanced understanding of K-12 virtual learning in the state of Michigan.
2012-13 Annual Report
The Annual Report for the 2012-13 school year provides a summary of the accomplishments of the Institute’ first year of operation.
Categories
- Ai (4)
- Blended Teaching & Learning (14)
- Effective Practices in Online Learning (22)
- Effectiveness Reports (12)
- Mentoring (7)
- Michigan (44)
- Motivation & Social Emotional Learning (6)
- Online Teaching and Professional Development (21)
- Program Evaluation / Quality / Policy (27)
- Research in Review (11)
- Special Populations (13)
- Student Centered Learning (10)
- Student Pacing (10)