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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.
Podcast: Strong Student Relationships in Online Courses
In this episode, Jeff chatted with Kevin Santer, Lead instructor with the Career & Technology department at Michigan Virtual. Kevin shared his story about coming to education after a successful ca
Are online courses "easier" than face-to-face courses?
Michigan Virtual
Debunking the common misconception that online courses are “easier” than face-to-face courses.
Reaching the Summit, Scaling the Mountain called Personalized Learning
I’ve been teaching for 14 years, most of which have been at the middle school level in an urban school district. I’m a risk taker, I enjoy trying new things in my classroom, especially when it comes t
Using Piktochart in the Classroom
Some of my students were struggling with specific aspects of taking a course online, as well as certain assignments. They would send me emails that were along the lines of “I need help with the test I
It’s not about the tech, but how you use it: a mindset for blended learning
In my district, we continue to work on preparing our students for a changing world. Maintaining positive relationships is always important, but we need to get our students to “learn how to learn.” Whi
Top 10 reasons students choose online summer credit recovery
Lisa Rohde
When a student fails a class — or perhaps multiple classes — they may come to the realization that taking classes over the summer is the only way they can graduate on time with the rest of their peers. For students facing this situation, taking summer courses online can be a great way to recover the credits needed for graduation without missing out on their existing summer plans.
Educating AP Students Across Locales
In 2016, Michigan Virtual, in conjunction with partner schools in the Virtual School Leadership Alliance, published a report on educating students across locales. This report investigated how students
Using SeeSaw to help students set, achieve, and reflect on their goals
Young students often have a hard time thinking about actions, consequences, and, generally, anything that takes place in the future, so setting goals is not an easy task for them. In this article, Erin walks you through how to use the iPad App, SeeSaw, to help students set and achieve goals.
Using Google Slides to showcase student art and create an inviting online classroom
As an online teacher, Google Slides been the answer to all my hopes and dreams. Using it is like making a collage, but my fingers don’t get sticky! Pretty much everything I post in my online courses is created in Slides. One of my favorite ways to use Slides is for a Class Gallery, a place where students can showcase their artwork.
Using videos to spend more meaningful time with students
It’s my dream is to have a classroom that feels like a Starbucks with students spread all over the room, engaging in a variety of activities, working in a group on a lab, or working solo on an assignment.But how do you make this type of independent learning a reality? For me, the answer was the camera on my phone. I know, nothing fancy, no bells or whistles, just my camera. Thanks to the work shared by Ben Rimes, the power of the camera allows me to be in multiple places at once.
Summer Learning FAQs (with advice from Michigan districts who are doing it well!)
Michigan Virtual
Summer brain drain isn’t a myth. On average, it is predicted that students lose about one month’s worth of learning over the summer.
Step-by-step guide to setting up a successful online summer learning program
Michigan Virtual
If you’re looking to provide students at your school or district with more summer learning options, this step-by-step guide will help you think through the process of building a highly successful online summer learning program.
Podcast: Student Agency and Google Classroom
Welcome to Digital Backpack! In our first Digital Backpack cast, we chat with Traci Smith, a high school English teacher at De La Salle. She shares some gems about connecting with students, creating a
Using PowToon to explain challenging concepts to students
One of my challenges as an online teacher is this: I teach in an asynchronous program, so my students are not necessarily online at the same time as I am. One tech tool that has helped me to bridge this divide is PowToon, the video-making software that allows teachers to create engaging, animated clips to help explain challenging content to students.
Using Calendly for scheduling student meetings
One of the biggest challenges as online Spanish teachers? Regularly scheduling time to connect with each student in our course to listen to and assess their language development. We needed to find a tool that would eliminate the need for several back-and-forth communications to simply set up an appointment for each short assessment. We not only wanted a tool to help share available time slots for appointments, but also one that would sync with our calendar. That’s when we discovered Calendly.
Using choice boards to promote student agency
Choice boards have helped improve student learning in my class by empowering students to develop confidence based on their individual needs and choices. I also believe when they are engaged in the learning and know the expected outcomes, they are more reflective and able to self-assess their own learning.
How online learning helps schools stand out in the competitive landscape of school choice
Michigan Virtual
If you’re looking to find ways to innovate your curriculum — and, yes, to compete with other schools in our current era of school choice — then providing your students with online learning options is one way you can stand out in the educational marketplace. Why? Because you’ll be providing your students with more course options, more flexibility in how and when they learn, and more opportunities to gain 21st-century learning skills.
New year's resolution? Earn SCECHs for reading blogs, listening to podcasts, and participating in Twitter chats
Teachers, I’d like to introduce you to my new friend, 2019.We’ve just met, but I have the feeling we’re going to get along splendidly.Here’s one way you and 2019 can do the same:By tackling your new y
Micro-credentialing & the dawn of competency-based professional development
When it comes to our students, we strive to foster growth mindsets and implement competency-based learning in our classrooms.But when it comes to our own professional development, we so often accept “
Restorative Justice 101 — A Paradigm Shift in Education [with infographics]
Michigan Virtual
Your Guide to Restorative Justice in Michigan Schools: This blog is the third in our series on Restorative Justice in Michigan Schools. We have already released articles on Michigan's new restorative justice law and the dangers of zero-tolerance policies and will continue to release articles on strategies for implementation in schools and classrooms.
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