How Did We Get Here?

Ever wonder what decisions made the early virtual education programs successful. This session will allow participants to ask the parents of virtual education questions to gain a better understanding of the rational and decisions that shaped the early virtual education programs and the learnings that made them successful. Potential questions might include:  How did these programs select their LMS? What were the keys to providing teacher training? How did their courses get designed? What about student drops, how was that addressed/prevented?

This session will be highly interactive. It will open with an opportunity for participants to identify why they selected this session and what they want to get out of it.  Questions help guide the session, and they also help other participants by exposing them to issues (questions) they may not have experienced yet.

Rather than repeating the session from 2 yrs ago, this will be more interactive, allowing participants to ask questions and focus attention on decisions that they may be facing themselves.

When: November 10, 2022 3:00 pm ET

Moderator: Ray Rose, Public Policy Committee Chair – Texas Digital Learning Association, (Co-Founder Virtual High School)

Panelists: Allison Powell, COO – Evergreen Education Group (Co-Founder of Clark County School District’s Virtual High School), Mickey Revenaugh, Vice President, International Business Development – Pearson Virtual Schools (Co-Founder of Connections Academy), Matt Wicks, Director of Assessment and School Accountability – Pearson Virtual Schools (Founder of Illinois Virtual School), Julie Young, Vice President – ASU Preparatory Academy (Founder of Florida Virtual School)

Online student funding: findings from a national study

The DLC recently released the report The Land of Confusion: A review of online student funding. This webinar will look at key issues including how funding levels vary by state, and how online schools face different costs and accounting challenges.

Speakers: DLC’s John Watson will host a discussion with policy expert Mary Gifford, and Arizona State University Prep Digital’s Chief Partnership Officer Lisa Edgar, as we delve into the findings of the study.

When: October 13, 2022 @ 3:00pm ET

October Best Practices Community Webinar

You are invited to join the DLC's Design & Refine Community of Practice at the October gathering! The Design & Refine Best Practices Community is a DLC Membership group that focuses on sharing proven strategies in online, blended, and hybrid digital learning programs. 

During the October Zoom meeting, we will be exploring the topic of Parent Collaboration. 

When: Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. EDT.

September Design & Refine Best Practices Community

The Design & Refine Best Practices Community is a DLC Membership group that focuses on sharing proven strategies in online, blended, and hybrid digital learning programs. This community will host eight webinar sessions during the 2022-2023 school year and continue the conversations throughout the year via the DLC membership portal.  The group will also convene at the annual DLAC conference. During the September webinar, the participants will help shape the direction of the Design & Refine Community for the entire year. We hope to see you there!

When: Tuesday, September 20, 2022 @ 3:00pm ET

Proof Points Demonstrating Online Learning Success

Can online and hybrid schools demonstrate successful student outcomes? YES! The DLCs Proof Points project has been gathering data from schools, programs, and course providers that can show positive outcomes based on externally validated academic data points. This session will feature findings from several schools, including interviews with educators exploring their keys to success.

When: September 8, 2022 @ 3:00pm ET

What’s Your Take? Differing views on online schools: a conversation

Are online schools serving students well or poorly? Are the companies supporting online schools a valuable part of the education system, or do they represent the neoliberal front lines of the privatization of public education? Does the recent GAO report on online schools suggest that digital learning policy disputes are shifting, as the DLC's John Watson writes, or is he missing the mark, as Michael Barbour of Touro University believes?

Michael Barbour recently wrote "Usually, John and I agree on most things. We come to a similar position from very different routes often times, but our end point is usually in the same general area. But on these issues, the two of us have recently diverged."

This session will be a conversation between Barbour and Watson about what they believe and why, moderated by DLC Director Chris Rapp . Join us and bring your questions!

When: Thursday June 9, 2022 @ 3:00pm ET

Quality Assurance In Online Learning

It’s More Than Just a Checkbox

(DLC Members Only)

Speakers -

Cindy Hamblin - Virtual Learning Leadership Alliance
Allison Powell - Digital Learning Collaborative
Chris Voelker - Quality Matters

Tuesday, May 17 at 3 pm EDT.

Understanding Accessibility from Multiple Perspectives

Accessibility is defined by the US Office for Civil Rights as when individuals with disabilities can access, use, and learn from instructional strategies and materials with the same ease, and in the same time frame as individuals who do not have disabilities. This requirement applies to digital as well as non-digital learning. It is vital to understand how accessibility must be included throughout the conception, design, instruction, and assessment processes for digital and online education. This DLC Discussion will involve the participant questions and concerns while taking a broad approach to accessibility. We’ll help participants Identify some of the "hot spots" or challenges to enacting an ethic of accessible learning that goes beyond the ability of students to log on and find the material. We anticipate a lively discussion with educators from varied roles in designing, instructing, managing, and assessing this important topic.

When: May 12, 2022 @ 3:00pm ET

Speakers: 

Ray Rose, Consultant

Mary F. Rice, Assistant Professor of Literacy, University of New Mexico

Roman Stotland, Director of Technology Integration at Michigan Virtual School

Chris Smith, Instructional Designer at NCVPS

The Passed + the Proposal: What passed for FY22 and What the President is Proposing for FY23

(DLC Members Only)

Things are always getting done at the 11th hour in DC and passing the budget is no exception. The President proposed ambitious numbers for the budget, but many of the promises made on the campaign trail went unfulfilled in this year. Join us to see what the numbers look like for FY22 and we'll take a look at what the Biden administration is prioritizing to try and make good on several of those promises. Added bonus: The US Department of Ed is FINALLY doing something with the National Ed Tech plan. (It's been a minute.) It's time once again for the Policy Protectors to UNITE!

When: Thursday May 5, 2022 at 3:00 pm Eastern Time

Professional Learning for the Online Environment: Building a Foundation for Collective Teacher Efficacy

(DLC Members Only)

Join the DLC Best Practices Community as we delve into the role of professional learning in building the foundation for collective teacher efficacy.  John Hattie’s research validates the importance of teachers collectively believing that they can make a difference in student learning outcomes. Teachers who are supported and provided opportunities to learn from and with peers are prepared, and they know that they make a profound difference in the lives of students.

When: Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 3:00pm EST

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DLC Discussion Highlight: Student Panel

(Public - All Welcome)

What can we learn from students?

The digital learning field exists to serve students, of course, but their voices are not included as often as they should be. This session will feature three middle and high school students of online and hybrid schools. They will explore why they chose their current school, how their school operates, what they like about it--and what they might want to change. We will be taking queries from the audience so bring your questions!

April 14, 2022
3:00pm ET

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Best Practices Webinar - Portrait of an Online Teacher

(DLC Members Only)

This webinar will focus on the skills and mindsets essential for teachers to possess to help students thrive in an online environment.  Guest panelists will share insights on their recruitment and selection process as well as reference the alignment to the National Standards for Quality.

Special Guests: RIch Copeland - Georgia Virtual; Lori Grantham - Pearson; Tony Quilici - Idaho Digital Learning Alliance

When: Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at 3 pm EST

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What - Beyond burnout? - Join our discussion focused on educator mental health!

(Public - All Welcome)

Mental health issues among students during the pandemic have been recognized, but we have also seen a crisis for our educators, with some choosing to leave the profession to preserve their wellbeing. We are seeing a need for whole-school approaches to support the mental health and wellbeing for all stakeholders, not just educators and students but also families and caregivers. Join us for an active discussion to share strategies for supporting you and your stakeholders’ wellbeing!

Panelists:

• Dr. Rebecca Itow - Principal at Indiana University High School Online

• Alejandra Ramos Gomez - Author, Education Consultant, and Bilingual Educator

• Shomari Jones - Director of Equity and Strategic Engagement at Bellevue School District

• Dr. Dacia Robertson - Supervisor of Montgomery Virtual Academy Grades 6-12 at Montgomery County Public School

• Tyrone Martinez-Black - Practice Integration Specialist at Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)

• Dr. Meroudjie Denis - Licensed Psychologist and Licensed Master Social Worker at Momentous Institute

When - March 17, 2022 at 3:00 pm ET.

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DLC Design and Refine Best Practices Community(CofP) for a discussion around Breaking Through Educational Barriers with Collaborative Innovation.

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

3 pm Eastern time.

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How do we think about quality Online Learning?

We have seen so many headlines and stories over the past two years about how online learning doesn’t work! However, these articles are referring to the emergency remote learning models schools & districts implemented for students and families out of necessity. The majority of these were not based on research or examples of other high-quality implementations of online learning. Additionally, very little planning & training was provided for these models. Quality online learning has been happening in K-12 education (public, private, and charter schools, districts, state programs, etc) around the world for over 20 years. Quality online learning can happen over time with thoughtful planning, as well as intentional and ongoing pedagogical- & technology-focused training using research-based best practices. 

Join us for a conversation about how the National Standards for Quality Online Learning (NSQOL.org) can be used as a free framework and resource for all stakeholders who are implementing new or refreshing current online programs.
November 9, 2021
3:00 pm ET

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Digital learning and Career Readiness: Examples from the Field

As discussed in the DLC’s recently released report and in our webinar in early October, digital learning in all its forms supports career readiness and CTE in several important, innovative ways. In this second of two webinars examining Digital Learning and Career Readiness, we will explore these issues and opportunities with leaders representing online schools, state virtual schools, and mainstream school districts.

November 4th, 2021
3:00pm ET

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A busy year for federal and state policy: How policymakers are working through a new era of education

From $197 billion in stimulus funds, states looking to remove barriers to remote learning, and districts considering new anytime, anywhere learning opportunities, 2020-2021 has seen an avalanche of policies as the entire field grapples with what an education setting is. Join our expert panel for a discussion on where policy barriers still exist and where they are being broken down.

October 14, 2021
3:00 pm ET

Moderator:

• Susan Gentz, BSG Strategies

Panelists:

• Joe Freidhoff, Michigan Virtual

• Ken Haptonstall, Colorado River BOCES

• Sheryl Tatum, Stride

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The Nexus of Digital Learning and Career Readiness

Career readiness has been a major focus of education of late, and CTE has been a topic of interest for many decades. Online and hybrid learning, of course, are much more recent developments. But digital learning in all its forms supports career readiness and CTE in several important, innovative ways. In this first of two webinars exploring Digital Learning and Career Readiness, we will explore these issues with two people who have deep experience thinking about career readiness and CTE from national and international perspectives, and the heads of a full-time online school and state virtual school.

October 7, 2021
3:00pm ET

Panelists:

John Ashworth - Executive Director, Virtual Arkansas

Shaun McAlmont - President, Career Learning, Stride, Inc.

Michael Connet - Assoc. Dep. Director of Outreach & Partner Development, Association for Career and Technical Education

David Crook - Head of School, CyberAcademy of South Carolina

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Build Your Schools’ Resilience as a Pathway to Innovation and Equity

Description: The pandemic is an extreme example of the ongoing disruption facing our society and schools, but building resilience to that disruption is an opportunity to increase learning innovation and equity. Join a panel of thought and practice leaders to learn how you can identify, design, and implement practice changes to increase your preparedness for the next foreseeable change event. You will gain access to a research-based framework for building resilience, hear examples from education leaders growing their schools’ agility and flexibility, and have the opportunity to reflect on your school’s resilience and pathway forward.

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September 23, 2021
3:00 pm ET

Moderator:

Allison Powell, Digital Learning Collaborative (DLC)

Panelists:

Mark Schniederman - D2L
Amy Valentine - Future of School
Elizabeth Barszcz - Principal of the K-12 public school in Silverton School District
Dr. Jessica Potts - Online Curriculum Coordinator

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Centering Equity in Remote Learning

Help your students leap across the homework gap! Focusing on equity is always important but as Covid-19 forced schools to move quickly to remote learning, how intentional is your school about centering equity in your plan? Broadband access for school aged children in low income homes can cause low-income students to fall behind.  The “homework gap” can be daunting. Our panel of principals and digital equity experts will share their best strategies for providing equitable remote learning and take questions from attendees to help address the challenges that they face. 

April 8, 2021
3:00 pm ET

Moderators:

Comaneci Brooken, Director of Professional Learning at Digital Promise
Shawn McCusker, Director of Professional Learning at Digital Promise

Panelists:

Nicole Adell,  Newburg Middle School Principal in Jefferson County Public Schools, KY 
Ronda Cosby , Grace James Steam Academy in Jefferson County Public Schools, KY
Erin Berry-McCrea, North Carolina Virtual Public Schools

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Supporting ELL Students in Remote Learning Environments

How are English Language Learners (ELs) supported in your remote and hybrid learning environments? Panelists will share how they support families and understand the obstacles of first-generation families at the classroom, school, and district levels. Learn from their personal stories and professional experiences in communicating with and supporting EL students and their families in remote learning environments.

March 11, 2021: 3PM ET

Speakers:
Prakash Patel
Christy Saez
Pate Thomas

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Maintaining Academic Growth During a Pandemic
COVID-slide? Learning Loss? However you approach it, unfinished learning has been a main topic of research and discussion during the pandemic. Instead of focusing on the existing learning gaps and inequalities that have happened over the last year, let's change the conversation to focus on how we can take advantage of a variety of strategies to engage students to maintain their academic growth during the pandemic. Topics of conversation include ideas such as personalized learning pathways, planning for the short-, medium-, and long-term, accelerating learning as opposed to remediation, changing how we define success in education, rethinking grading to focus on learning vs compliance, and other strategies to support student academic growth.

Moderator: Stacy Hawthorne, Director of Online Learning - Davidson Academy
Speakers: Carrie Bisgard, Director of Instructional Support in Placentia-Yorba Linda USD
Dr. Paula Dillon, Assistant Superintendent for Barrington Public Schools
Buffy Roberts, Executive Director of Assessment and Evaluation at Charleston County Schools

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Student perspectives of online and blended learning during the pandemic
As the pandemic has changed the way we think about school and learning, many students have chosen to learn online either temporarily for this school year, or more permanently for the remainder of their K-12 education. Let’s learn from these students about their experiences this year compared to previous years of school. We will explore what is working and not working for them in these online, remote, and hybrid environments, how they have changed as students over the past year, and what they hope sticks after the pandemic. Join us for this discussion from the students point of view, and bring your specific questions to learn from these students.

January 14, 2021: 3PM ET
Summary will be available shortly

Speakers:

Samara: 3rd grade - Da Vinci Connect K8
Dylan: 8th grade - Pine Springs Preparatory Academy
Abigail: 11th grade - Alabama Virtual Academy
Daren: 12th grade - Summerville High

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Supporting the whole learner: SEL in remote and online learning
During this time of remote learning, student support and social emotional learning has been recognized as critically important. But SEL is not new. Experienced educators have been considering SEL needs for many years, and are now building processes to incorporate SEL into a variety of online and hybrid learning environments. This panel will discuss student support and SEL as they relate to digital learning, from the perspective of experienced online educators as well as mainstream school districts.

December 16th, 2020: 3pmET
Click here for a summary of the webinar

Speakers:

Erin Craft
Robert Cole
Djuna Craig