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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.
How Effective is Online Learning in Michigan?
Michigan Virtual
Since 2010, the average pass rate for online courses in Michigan has hovered around 60 percent. Compared to the pass rate for traditional classrooms, this statistic has led some to condemn virtual sch
Making Student-Centered Learning A Reality? Nellie Mae’s Integrated Learning Systems Grant Program
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
How will the vision of student-centered learning become a reality? The Nellie Mae Education Foundation (NMEF) sought to address a piece of the puzzle through their recent Integrated Learning Systems r
How Effective is Online Learning in Michigan
Michigan Virtual
Let's be honest: Online learning in Michigan, as a whole, is in deep need of reform. Since 2010, the average pass rate for online courses in Michigan has hovered around 60 percent. Compared to the pass rate for traditional classrooms, this statistic has led some to condemn virtual schooling as a failed experiment.
Rural Virtual Learning
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
This is the fifth in a series of blog posts written by Michigan Virtual's Regional Mentor Leaders to bring to life what mentors do to build and maintain a supportive online learner environment to help students be successful. If you are a mentor and would like to share a strategy, a success story, or another topic that illustrates how you support students, please email mvlri@michiganvirtual.org.
Michigan's Literacy Crisis is a Public Health Crisis
Michigan Virtual
Who suffers when our literacy rates are low? In this blog post by Tamara Bashore-Berg, we dive into the startling reality of Michigan’s literacy crisis and explore Dr. Nell Duke's argument that this issue is, at its heart, a public health crisis.
Turning Digital Natives into Digital Citizens
Michigan Virtual
Two educators share their experiences teaching digital literacyLast week, I had the great pleasure of speaking to two educators about their experiences teaching digital literacy.The conversations that
Podcast: Live Episode @ Rebel U
The Digital Backpack
In this episode, Jeff shares some audio from a recent teacher professional development session on podcasts, then Jeff and Erin chat about using classroom experience to shape professional learning.
Podcast: Anchors Away!
The Digital Backpack
In this episode a podcast about … podcasts! Jeff and Erin discuss a cool tool for recording podcasts and how teachers might think about using podcasts in the classroom.
Swartz Creek Academy Stresses Responsibility, Growth, and Relationships
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
Richard Thompson is the Dean of Students and Director of Operations at Swartz Creek Academy. The Academy is an alternative education school in Swartz Creek, Michigan, that provides students an opportu
Episode 45: Mimi Ito, UC Irvine and Justin Reich, MIT
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
https://soundcloud.com/mvlri/episode-45-mimi-ito-uc-irvine-and-justin-reich-mitIn this episode, we’re joined by two researchers affiliated with the Digital Media and Learning Research Hub – Mimi Ito f
Innovation in Education
Andrea McKay
Students have access to more information in their pockets than ever before, yet they are often told to leave their phones in their lockers.
Opportunities for Engaging Students in "Data Practices" in Online Science Classes
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
What are Data Practices?Data are powerful, both in science and science education as well as in our everyday lives. By preparing students to think about data, students can question the claims of scient
Episode 44: Jordan Rickles, American Institutes for Research
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
https://soundcloud.com/mvlri/episode-44-jordan-rickles-american-institutes-for-researchIn this episode, we’re joined by Jordan Rickles, principal researcher at the American Institutes for Research. Jo
Podcast: Flipgrid & The Great Chicken/Egg Debate
The Digital Backpack
Jeff and Erin share about Flipgrid and how they dig using it with students and teachers alike, then ask: what comes first, the technology tool or the learning?
Free Microsoft services that are great for classroom use
Jeff Gerlach
Designing the physical classroom to accommodate modern learning
Where the Research is @iNACOL 2017
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
For the last few years, MVLRI & TLA have been co-hosting the preconference K-12 Research Community Meeting at iNACOL. We hope to see you this year!We have several great panels planned, including:a
Episode 43: John Jacobs, Wisconsin eSchool Network
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
https://soundcloud.com/mvlri/episode-43-john-jacobs-wiscons-eschool-networkJohn Jacobs, the Director of the Wisconsin eSchool Network, joins us for this episode. He paints for us a picture of the digi
Episode 42: Charles Graham, BYU and Jered Borup, GMU
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
https://soundcloud.com/mvlri/episode-42-charles-graham-byu-and-jered-borup-gmuIn this episode, we’re talking with two researchers about a project they are currently working on to develop a tool to ass
How SOAR Academic Institute Puts Relationships in Focus
Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute
Matt Daly is the Director at SOAR Academic Institute in South Redford, Michigan. SOAR serves students in grades 6 through 12 with a fully online curriculum and provides support to students through on-
Michigan Virtual honored by Quality Matters for quality courses and impact on student success
Michigan Virtual
LANSING, MI — Michigan Virtual™ is excited to announce that it received a 2017 Quality Matters Making a Difference for Students Award for Outstanding Impact by a K-12 Organization at the QM annual con
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