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The Digital Backpack - Your Resource For Online Learning

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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.

Virtual Viewpoints: Roberto Gonzalez, STEAM Box

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

https://soundcloud.com/mvlri/episode-4-roberto-gonzalez-steam-boxThis episode is the fourth in our series documenting the Fuse Architect Project, a collaboration between the Nellie Mae Education Found

Research
AUG 10, 2018

Virtual Viewpoints Podcast: Pegah Rahmanian, Youth in Action

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

https://soundcloud.com/mvlri/episode-6-pegah-rahmanian-youth-in-action#t=0:00This episode is the fifth in our series documenting the Fuse Architect Project, a collaboration between the Nellie Mae Educ

Research
AUG 08, 2018
The Blended Files

The Blended Files — "As Seen on TV: Blended Learning's Greatest Achievements"

Emily Sicilia Emily Sicilia

Welcome to The Blended Files, our super-secret project (shhhhhhh) where we visit the classrooms of Michigan teachers and share the strategic and thoughtful ways they’re incorporating technology into their lesson plans. In our first case, we explore Mrs. M's 7th-grade social studies classroom.

Blended Learning
AUG 01, 2018
Paper letter with

An Open Letter to "Sit and Get" PD

Erin Luckhardt

My old friend — When I first started teaching, it was always you holding my hand. You were there for my first conference. Since the beginning, you've set my expectations for what professional development should be like. This may be difficult to hear, but it's time for our relationship to end.

Blended Learning
JUL 11, 2018

The challenge of “thinking outside of the box” while existing inside the box

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

In education as in other sectors, there exists this buzz phrase – “thinking outside the box.” While so commonly used, Highlander and its Fuse Architect partner schools have experienced that this phras

Research
JUL 10, 2018

Virtual Viewpoints Podcast: Emily Zilly and Students, Rogers High School

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

https://soundcloud.com/mvlri/episode-5-emily-zilly-and-students-rogers-high-school This episode is the fifth in our series documenting the Fuse Architect Project, a collaboration between the Nellie Ma

Research
JUL 06, 2018

Introducing the Fuse Architect Schools – Woonsocket High School and the Woonsocket Area Career and Technical Center

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

The only high school in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, Woonsocket High School is led by principal Carnell Henderson with a school mission to “do what is in the best interests of this community’s students s

Research
JUN 26, 2018

Virtual Viewpoints Podcast: Paula Dillon, Barrington Public Schools

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

https://soundcloud.com/mvlri/episode-3-paula-dillon-barrington-public-schoolsThis episode is the third in our series documenting the Integrated Learning Systems project, a collaboration between the Ne

Research
JUN 22, 2018

The Learning Sciences and Personalized, Competency-Based Learning: Thoughts from the Frontier of Research-Practice Partnerships in Virtual Learning

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

This past January, iNACOL released the report Current to Future State: Issues and Action Steps for State Policy to Support Personalized, Competency-Based Learning. Among its key recommendations for ac

Research, Instructional Design
JUN 22, 2018
Online learning graphic representation

How Does Online Learning Really Work?: A Conversation with Mitch Albom

Michigan Virtual Logo Michigan Virtual

In celebration of our 20th anniversary, we hosted four panel discussions on Mitch Albom's radio show on WJR 760. In this segment, Mitch Albom explores the day-to-day realities of virtual education in depth with a panel of our online teachers and students.

Teaching
JUN 21, 2018
silhouettes in futuristic setting with cogs and gears concept

The Students of Today & Tomorrow: A Conversation with Mitch Albom

Michigan Virtual Logo Michigan Virtual

What does the future of learning look like? In this segment of his radio show on WJR 760, Mitch Albom explores this issue in depth with a panel of the leaders of several current and former superintendents of Michigan schools.

Teaching
JUN 21, 2018
Illustration of a business man standing at the edge of a cliff

What's Getting in the Way of Progress in Michigan's Education System?: A Conversation with Mitch Albom

Michigan Virtual Logo Michigan Virtual

In celebration of our 20th anniversary, we hosted four panel discussions on Mitch Albom's radio show on WJR 760. In this segment, Mitch Albom explores barriers to progress in Michigan's educational system with a panel of the leaders of several of Michigan's educational organizations.

Teaching
JUN 21, 2018
Elementary students raising their hands

Why Are Michigan's Literacy Rates So Low?: A Conversation with Mitch Albom

Michigan Virtual Logo Michigan Virtual

In celebration of our 20th anniversary, we hosted four panel discussions on Mitch Albom's radio show on WJR 760. In this segment, Mitch Albom explores Michigan's literacy crisis in depth with a panel of the educational leaders in Michigan's early literacy movement.

Teaching
JUN 21, 2018

Introducing the Fuse Architect Schools – Newport Area Career and Technical Center

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

Led by Director Rob Young, the Newport Area Career and Technical Center’s (NACTC) program has pockets of student centered learning embedded throughout the school; however, the Fuse Architect design te

Research
JUN 19, 2018

Introducing the Fuse Architect Schools – Central Falls High School

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

Led by assistant principal Amy Burns and principal Troy Silvia, Central Falls High School (CFHS) is dedicated to helping students meet their graduation requirements and preparing them to make informed

Research
JUN 15, 2018

Design Thinking in Schools: “You can’t make school better without student voice.”

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

Have you thought about bringing design thinking to your school or district? One of the major foundations for the Fuse Architect project is design thinking. Through a partnership with IDEO, the Fuse Ar

Research
JUN 12, 2018

Introducing the Fuse Architect Schools – Narragansett High School

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

Narragansett High School, led by Principal Daniel Warner, is a high performing school located in Narragansett, RI. Principal Warner believes that personalized learning is a key element of growth for N

Research
JUN 12, 2018

Virtual Viewpoints Podcast: Stephen Osborn, RIDE and Daniela Fairchild, Office of Innovation

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

https://soundcloud.com/mvlri/nm-podcast2Stephen Osborn of the Rhode Island Department of Education and Daniela Fairchild of Rhode Island’s Office of Innovation provide some background on each of their

Research
JUN 08, 2018
Newpapers showing headlines of school shootings

Online Learning in the Wake of School Violence: False Solutions & Room for Growth

Jamey Fitzpatrick Jamey Fitzpatrick

There are many good reasons to promote the value of online learning, but gun violence should not be one of them.

Leadership
JUN 06, 2018

Introducing the Fuse Architect Schools – 360 High School

Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

A Providence Public School, 360 High School (360) opened its doors in 2015 with 80 students entering 9th grade. It is one of two schools in Providence that have been chosen to participate in the Fuse

Research
JUN 05, 2018

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