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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.
AI, Learning, and Performance
Justin Bruno
Unveiling the impact of AI in education, proponents tout personalized learning, while critics caution against possible dependencies.
Creating a Culture of Continuous, Collaborative, and Personalized Professional Learning
Christa Green
Not only is the professional learning happening within Michigan's Grand Ledge Public Schools continuous and collaborative, it is also rooted in their strategic plan, reflective of their beliefs about student learning, and personalized to fit the unique needs of each staff member.
Mapping the Mentorship Landscape: Insights on Mentoring in Different School Settings
Kelly Cuccolo, PhD
This blog is based on a larger report from Michigan Virtual and explores the experiences of mentors working in different school settings. It additionally includes potential options for supporting mentors in their efforts to assist students in their online learning courses.
Supporting Schools: Maintaining an AI Tools toolkit for educators
Justin Bruno
Michigan Virtual's AI Resource Bank offers a curated compilation of websites, articles, podcasts, and tools. Engage with this evolving repository, explore emerging trends, and contribute to the conversation by sharing your own valuable resources for consideration.
Street Data and Empathy: Revealing What Educators Truly Want from Professional Learning
Anne Perez
What do educators actually WANT out of their professional learning experiences? This is a question my colleague Danielle, who contributed significantly to this study and the writing of these blogs, an
A Framework for Empathy: 3 steps leaders can follow to center educators’ Needs and Wants
Anne Perez
Part 1 of this blog series digs into the results of a survey on what educators need and want from their professional learning experiences. Here in Part 2, we show you the framework we used to create and conduct the survey as well as provide you with ideas for implementing this framework in your own context. Special thanks to my colleague, Danielle Peck, who contributed significantly to this study and the writing of these blogs.
Personalizing Education: How Web3 and Digital Identity Empower Learners and Promote Equity
Dr. Mike Peck
Welcome back to our third and final installment of this introductory series on web3. In this series we’ve explored the technology and trends shaping the next generation of the web and most importantly
The Web3 Revolution: 3 Critical Ways Web3 is Transforming Education and Work
Dr. Mike Peck
Step into the web3 era with this deep dive into its groundbreaking implications for education. From blockchain-enabled credentials to learner-employment records, see how this digital revolution could redefine learning and how we can prepare students for a rapidly evolving future.
Web3 101: What educators need to know about the future of the web
Dr. Mike Peck
Remember the days when the internet resembled a massive library, and Google was our librarian? Well, the internet has evolved a lot since then! As we transition to web3 — the 'read-write-own' era — we gain unprecedented control over our data and information. As educators, it's our responsibility to adjust to this new reality while embracing its exciting possibilities. Let's explore what web3 means for the future of education together!
Mastering the email game: Three hacks for getting students to ACTUALLY read & reply to your emails
Jonelle Barker
Discover the art of successful email communication with students. By following these three proven email hacks, you’ll stop sending emails that result in crickets and instead create authentic, engaging digital communications that foster rapport between you and your students.
AI's growing role in education: Top 5 predictions from Michigan school leaders
Nikolas McGehee
Will AI be the key to transforming education? Explore five game-changing ways AI has the potential to reshape the classroom and enhance student learning.
Overcoming procrastination: Boost student executive function with transparent planning (+ free template!)
Danielle Peck
The transparent planning process offers strategies for combatting procrastination and strengthening students’ executive function. This process not only can improve academic outcomes but also helps instill lifelong skills in students. In this article, I dive into the connection between procrastination and executive function before exploring what transparent planning is and how it can help. I’ll also share a free Google template you can use to practice transparent planning with your students.
Designing for the future with AI: Lessons learned in curriculum development
Nikolas McGehee
Michigan Virtual's educators experimented with ChatGPT to generate content for online courses, offering insights into its potential benefits and limitations in areas like content creation, individualized learning, and the 5D course design process.
3 Creative Ways to Celebrate Student Success in the Online Classroom
There is much to celebrate when students do well in their online courses! After all, success in online learning requires excellent time management skills, the ability to learn in a new environment, and so much more. Looking for ways to celebrate student achievements that go beyond the typical “good job” email? Here are three creative tactics you can try!
AI in education: What you need to know about this game-changing technology
Nikolas McGehee
Don’t miss these predictions for the good, the bad, and the ugly of AI’s impact on the future of learning (plus a sneak peek of how educators are already rising to meet this new challenge).
Become an online learning pro: Top tips & tricks from experienced instructors
Andrea McKay
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the freedom and flexibility of online learning? You're not alone! In this article, we share top tips from seasoned instructors on how to make the most out of your online course, no matter your experience level.
How Will Artificial Intelligence Change Education? Let’s Ask an AI to Find Out...
Justin Bruno
I asked two different AI programs how artificial intelligence will change the future of K-12 education. Here's how they responded.
The Power of the 5:1 Ratio: How Fostering Positive Interactions Can Transform Student Learning
Danielle Peck
The 5:1 ratio has completely changed my thinking about interactions in the classroom. It all started with a question about grading. After all, part of our jobs as teachers is to provide corrective feedback to help students grow. The 5:1 ratio helps to ensure that students can receive this feedback effectively. More importantly, however, it can help us be intentional about creating a classroom environment that centers our humanity.
A simple template for SEL check-ins
Andrea McKay
Using this simple template, our online instructors have learned a lot more about what’s going on in their students' lives, both sorrows and joys. This information can help teachers better connect with students and figure out what might be getting in the way of learning.
Three surprising benefits of holding structured check-ins with students (plus a free template!)
Anne Perez
Looking to cultivate a more student-centered classroom? Try holding structured check-ins with students. You'll immediately start seeing these three key benefits.
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