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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.

Where the Research is @iNACOL 2017

Where the Research is @iNACOL 2017

MVRLI Icon 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

Research
OCT 23, 2017
Episode 43: John Jacobs, Wisconsin eSchool Network

Episode 43: John Jacobs, Wisconsin eSchool Network

MVRLI Icon 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

Podcasts, Research
OCT 16, 2017
Episode 42: Charles Graham, BYU and Jered Borup, GMU

Episode 42: Charles Graham, BYU and Jered Borup, GMU

MVRLI Icon 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

Podcasts, Research
SEP 29, 2017
How SOAR Academic Institute Puts Relationships in Focus

How SOAR Academic Institute Puts Relationships in Focus

MVRLI Icon 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-

Research
SEP 29, 2017
Michigan Virtual honored by Quality Matters for quality courses and impact on student success

Michigan Virtual honored by Quality Matters for quality courses and impact on student success

Michigan Virtual Logo 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

Online Learning
SEP 27, 2017
Social Presence and Its Relationship to Learning Outcomes with Credit Recovery and Non-credit Recovery Students

Social Presence and Its Relationship to Learning Outcomes with Credit Recovery and Non-credit Recovery Students

MVRLI Icon Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

AuthorsYining ZhangMichigan State UniversityChin-Hsi LinThe University of Hong KongIn recent years, online courses have become a major alternative method for at-risk students’ credit recovery (CR) eff

Research
SEP 27, 2017
Understanding Engagement in K-12 Online Courses: Part Two

Understanding Engagement in K-12 Online Courses: Part Two

MVRLI Icon Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

AuthorsAndrew Vanden Heuvel, Michigan VirtualKristi Peacock, Michigan VirtualKristen DeBruler, Michigan Virtual Learning Research InstituteAnecdotal evidence from course designers and Michigan Virtual

Research, Instructional Design
SEP 27, 2017
Episode 41: John Watson of Evergreen Education Returns

Episode 41: John Watson of Evergreen Education Returns

MVRLI Icon Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

https://soundcloud.com/mvlri/episode-41-john-watson-of-evergreen-education-returnsIn this episode, we are joined once again by John Watson of the Evergreen Education Group. Since the last time John jo

Podcasts, Research
SEP 27, 2017
Understanding Engagement in K-12 Online Courses: Part One

Understanding Engagement in K-12 Online Courses: Part One

MVRLI Icon Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

Anecdotal evidence from course designers and Michigan Virtual™ instructors suggested that some students were not fully engaged with their online course materials. There was a commonly held belief by instructional staff and designers that some students were picking and choosing which assignments to do and only did the minimum required to get their desired grade. It was thought that some students were spending only as much time in the course as absolutely necessary, and even when in the course, not taking full advantage of all course materials.

Research, Instructional Design
SEP 19, 2017
Creating Conditions that Promote Success in Online Learning

Creating Conditions that Promote Success in Online Learning

MVRLI Icon Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

This is the fourth 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.

Research
SEP 11, 2017
Podcast: Sharon Murchie

Podcast: Putting Students in the Driver’s Seat

The Digital Backpack

After a summer hiatus (or a summer full of professional learning opportunities with teachers), we’re back! In this episode, we chat with Sharon Murchie, a high school English teacher with Bath Communi

Blended Learning, Podcasts
SEP 05, 2017
Getting to Know Billy

Getting to Know Billy

MVRLI Icon Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

This is the third 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.

Research
AUG 28, 2017
The Student Who Made It Anyway

The Student Who Made It Anyway

MVRLI Icon Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

This is the second 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.

Research
AUG 21, 2017
Group photo of our online instructors

The New Michigan Virtual

Jamey Fitzpatrick Jamey Fitzpatrick

2018 marks our 20th anniversary as a nonprofit organization. We have witnessed the unparalleled growth of new technology tools that leverage the power and reach of the Internet to address business, en

Leadership
AUG 11, 2017
Episode 40: Kim Loomis, Clark County School District, Nevada

Episode 40: Kim Loomis, Clark County School District, Nevada

MVRLI Icon Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

https://soundcloud.com/mvlri/episode-40-kim-loomis-clark-county-school-district-nevadaIn this episode, we’re talking with Kim Loomis of the Clark County School District in Clark County, Nevada. Kim se

Podcasts, Research
AUG 07, 2017
Success in a Totally Virtual Program

Success in a Totally Virtual Program

MVRLI Icon Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

This is the first 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

Research
AUG 04, 2017
One person hitting another with boxing gloves

The Blended Learning Fight Club

Jamie DeWitt Jamie DeWitt

The first rule of blended learning is: you do not talk about blended learning.

Blended Learning
JUL 17, 2017
Video game controller

Unlocking the Next Level of Science Teaching

Andrew Vanden Heuvel

I’m not ashamed to admit it — I’m 34, married with three children and I still like to play video games.While the Sega Genesis gave birth to my addiction, I do vividly recall huddling around the Commod

Professional Development
JUL 07, 2017
Accountability in Online Learning: Ann Arbor Public Schools

Accountability in Online Learning: Ann Arbor Public Schools

MVRLI Icon Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

This blog post is the second in a series examining district-level accountability and teacher effectiveness related to virtual learning in Michigan. Each post in the series is accompanied by a podcast

Research
JUN 29, 2017
Accountability in Online Learning: Grand Ledge Public Schools

Accountability in Online Learning: Grand Ledge Public Schools

MVRLI Icon Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute

This blog post is the first in a series examining district-level accountability and teacher effectiveness related to virtual learning in Michigan. Each post in the series is accompanied by a podcast w

Research
JUN 27, 2017

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