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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 Superintendents Can Foster College & Career Readiness by Incorporating SEL in a K-12 Environment
Social-emotional learning (SEL) can result in significant academic improvements for students. In fact, school districts in Chicago that partnered with the Collaborating Districts Initiative (CDI) from
4 Strategies for Superintendents When Implementing a Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum
Social-emotional learning (SEL) plays a huge role in human development for young people, helping them manage their emotions, show empathy to others, and maintain healthy relationships. In fact, resear
How Stress Affects the Teenage Brain
K-12 students at all levels are experiencing tremendous changes both physically and mentally as they progress toward adulthood. Guiding students through this journey is one of the greatest rewards for
3 strategies for providing culturally responsive education to Native American students
Michigan Virtual
What does it mean to provide a culturally responsive education to Native American students? As a teacher, where should you begin? Meet Tan-A Hoffman, a second-grade teacher at JKL Bahweting Anishnabe School and a 2020-21 regional teacher of the year, representing her geographic area in Michigan’s upper peninsula. Tan-A shares some incredible stories, a brief bit of history, and three strategies for providing culturally responsive education to Native American students.
SEL Strategies Educators Can Use to Improve Decision-Making Skills in K-12 Students
The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) found that five core competencies provide the ideal foundation for high-quality social-emotional learning (SEL) curricula. Those
10 New Year’s Resolutions for Teachers in 2022
Michigan Virtual
From filling your bucket to creating boundaries, we created these resolutions to guide you during this irregular year.
How Schools Can Address Individual Student Needs: Anxiety and Depression
Everyone experiences anxiety and low points from time to time, including children and teens. But when anxiety becomes excessive, it can disrupt normal function and learning and even require the suppor
How Schools Can Support Social Awareness and Empathy in Students Through SEL Curriculum
The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) defines social awareness as, “The ability to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others, including those from diver
The Case for Districtwide SEL Initiatives
After the events of this past year, administrators are reexamining strategies used to address student behavior and improve educational intervention. With students and staff returning in full to classr
Mitigating the Risk of Harm to Self and Others on Both Sides of Bullying
Bullying can take many forms—physical, verbal, emotional, and cyber—and has lasting effects on anyone involved. While much of the focus of bullying lands on the victim, and rightly so, it’s also impor
The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in the Future Workforce
The world is changing rapidly and how work gets done is evolving. While we have witnessed this evolution over time, the critical nature of emotional intelligence became front and center during the pan
The Case for SEL: How Academic Stress Affects Student Mental Health
You’re likely already aware that students today are facing heightened mental health issues, including staggering rates of anxiety and depression. A number of factors contribute to adverse mental healt
Teacher recruitment and retention in Michigan - Challenges and potential solutions
There is a teacher shortage in Michigan and across the country. Why is there a crisis? What can be done? This second post in a blog series on teacher recruitment and retention focuses on challenges and potential solutions in Michigan.
How to start solving your toughest educational challenges with design thinking
Michigan Virtual
In this article, we’ll walk you through the first phase of design thinking called “immersion” and show you how you can use it to start solving your toughest educational challenges.
Enter the matrix of competency-based education tools
What is CBE?Competency-based education (CBE) is a student-centered methodology of instruction that incorporates elements of constructivist philosophy, 21st Century Skills education, and flexible learn
Cyberbullies are everywhere. Do you know how to spot one?
What does a bully look like?Regina George. Draco Malfoy. Angelica Pickles. Bullies are everywhere. Some are easier to spot than others.So, what does a bully look like?Oftentimes, they’re loud and have
What it’s really like to be an online teacher
Michigan Virtual
Meet Amy Smith, recognized as the Michigan Virtual 2020 Online Teacher of the Year, who shares her honest insights into a day-in-the-life of an online teacher, how it compares to face-to-face teaching, and what advice she has for those who are new to teaching in an online environment.
How School Leaders Can Support Teachers in Making the Shift Toward Student-Centered Learning
Christa Green
Common themes emerged around the supports that school leaders have put in place as their district makes the shift toward student-centered learning. We hope their insights and advice provide some guidance for other school leaders who may be just getting started.
The fall of letter grades & the rise of comprehensive learner records
Michigan Virtual
Meet Bruce Umpstead, director of statewide programs for IMS Global Learning Consortium, who explains what comprehensive learner records are and why these digital transcripts will be a crucial step toward building a competency-based future.
Challenges (and Opportunities) When Implementing Student-Centered Learning Models
Christa Green
Shifting to a more student-centered learning model can and will present many challenges, but it’s also an opportunity to design learning differently.
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