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Virtual Education

Recognizing opportunities to expand access to learning for students and educators at all levels and education environments, especially at-risk and underserved students, NECC supports a network of state leaders on K-12 virtual education. NECC staff has examined policies, initiatives, and practices within and outside the region to provide a context for current virtual education efforts and convened online events and a regional summit to disseminate its findings and to understand education leaders' highest priority information and policy needs and concerns. At these sessions, leaders explore needs and issues related to expanding access and educational opportunities for diverse learners in their own states and in the region. State leaders are developing virtual education action plans to guide local initiatives.

Contact

Kirsten Peterson
Email: kpetersonatedc.org

 

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Related events

May 22, 2012

Webinar: Parent Engagement in Online Courses

3:00 – 4:00 pm, Eastern Time

Research has shown that students from with involved parents are more likely to succeed in school and be college- and career-ready on graduating high school. Parental involvement is just as important in online learning. Join us for a presentation on the role of parents in online learning and how parents can help online teachers and mentors by staying fully engaged in the learning experience, promoting good study habits and attitudes by modeling them, and providing structure for students at home.

To register, please go to: http://registrations.rmcres.com and enter Event/Form ID: NYOC (not case sensitive).

Contact: Heidi Larson
Email: hlarsonatedc.org

May 2 - 22, 2012

Online Course: Learning Online: What Education Leaders Should Know about Virtual Education

NECC offers this brief course, conducted both synchronously and asynchronously over a three-week period, to other technical assistance centers to build their content knowledge and learn how to offer and facilitate the course with state education leaders. No prior experience with online learning is necessary.

For more information about the course, watch this video overview:  https://vimeo.com/40014066

Contact: Kirsten Peterson
Email: kpetersonatedc.org

Click for more information about where the idea for the course originated. >

April 24, 2012

Webinar: Building the Virtual High School Experience

3:00 – 4:00 pm, Eastern Time

Planning and implementing a virtual school program is no small undertaking. Stakeholder involvement at all levels is necessary and knowing what issues to address and when is critical. This webinar will feature experts who have been through the process of building fully online programs:
 
John Watson is founder of the Evergreen Education Group, which works with schools, districts, agencies, and companies that are improving educational opportunities and outcomes through online and blended learning. John and Evergreen’s work have been cited in the New York Times, Education Week, and eSchool News. He has appeared on NBC Nightly News, and he has presented numerous times at the Virtual School Symposium of the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL), Technology and Leadership Conference of the National School Boards Association, and other conferences.
 
Dr. Stephen Kossakoski is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School. Under his leadership the Academy has grown from 700 enrollments to over 11,500 enrollments since opening in January 2008. As CEO, he oversees the implementation of the school’s charter and the development of policies, budgets, and curriculum. During his 31 years in public education, Dr. Kossakoski has served as a teacher, department head, coach, technology director, independent consultant, and assistant superintendent.
 
The presenters will provide an in-depth exploration of current K-12 virtual school policy and programmatic issues, including challenges and solutions addressed within their own and related programs.

Contact: Heidi Larson
Email: hlarsonatedc.org

March 27, 2012

Webinar: Online Course Evaluation

3:00 – 4:00 pm, Eastern Time

As virtual education continues to expand as a valid path for many students, determining course quality is an imperative skill for states, districts, and schools. Experts in the field will describe research and provide insight from their experiences to help stakeholders approach effective means of evaluating online courses.

Contact: Heidi Larson
Email: hlarsonatedc.org

pdf Presentation Slides

Webinar link >

February 28, 2012

Webinar: What Resources And Elements Constitute A Quality Online Or Blended Course?

Having agreed-upon standards of quality for online courses enables organizations to evaluate course quality and implement best practices for students and teachers. This webinar will feature expert online course developers who, using the National Standards of Quality for Online Courses developed by the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) and the EdTech Leaders Online (ETLO) Recommended Criteria for Quality Online Courses as reference points, will show examples of quality learning objects and pedagogical strategies that work together to create effective online and/or blended courses.

Contact: Kirsten Peterson
Email: kpetersonatedc.org

pdf Presentation Slides and Complementary Resources

Webinar Link >

January 11 – 31, 2012

Online Course: What Education Leaders Should Know about Virtual Education

Developed in response to requests from Massachusetts and Rhode Island policy leaders at last April’s Virtual Education Summit (http://neny-ve-summit.wikispaces.com/), this brief course focuses on virtual education policy and practice and will include interaction with national experts Susan Patrick, President and CEO of the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL), and Susan Lowes, Director of Research and Evaluation at the Institute for Learning Technologies at Columbia University, and regional colleagues. Co-sponsored by NECC and the Center on Instruction, the course will be conducted both synchronously and asynchronously and cover topics such as where and how K-12 online learning is used and how online learning can help engage diverse learners. No prior experience with online learning is necessary. Participation is expected to take about three hours per week. First priority is given to educators in New England.

Registration is limited to 25 participants and closes on January 10.  If the course is over-enrolled, NECC will announce plans to run additional sections in the spring and fall of 2012.

Contact: Kirsten Peterson
Phone: 617-618-2780
Email: kpetersonatedc.org

November 2 - 22, 2011

Online Course: What Board of Education Members Should Know about Virtual Education

Developed in response to request from SEA leaders at last April’s Virtual Education Summit, this brief course, conducted both synchronously and asynchronously over a three-week period, introduces state policymakers to the essential features of online learning, from logging on to taking part in an online discussion. No prior experience with online learning is necessary. Participation is expected to take about three hours per week. First priority is given to members of state Boards of Education, followed by members of state education agencies (SEAs).

 

Registration is limited to 25 participants and closes October 21. Additional courses will be offered later, based on interest.

 

Contact: Kirsten Peterson
Email: kpetersonatedc.org

October 24, 2011

Webinar: Instructional Strategies for Online Learning

3:00-4:00pm Eastern Time

Part of NECC’s ongoing exploration of virtual education, this webinar features two veteran online teachers. Colleen Spinelli, who teaches AP Environmental Science for Virtual Virginia, and Doug Scott, who teachers Information Technology at Natick (MA) High School and Cybercrime and Security online to the Massachusetts TEC Online Academy, will share practices and examples of direct instruction, interactive learning, and online assessment. 

 

Contact: Kirsten Peterson
Email: kpetersonatedc.org

September 26, 2011

Webinar: Early Learners & Online Learning

3:00-4:00pm Eastern Time

Andrew Oberg, executive director of the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, Rebecca Palacios, an educational consultant and curriculum advisor with ABCmouse, and Dave Hendry of the ABCmouse development team discussed the effect of online learning environments on early learners and shared Web-based and other resources available to assist early learners in the online learning environment. This webinar was co-presented with the New York Comprehensive Center. 

 

Contact: Kirsten Peterson
Email: kpetersonatedc.org

April 26-27, 2011

Digital Learning Takes Center Stage in the Northeast

Boston, MA

To expand state and district leaders’ understanding of the possibilities for virtual learning in the PK – 12 education context, the  12 Virtual Education Summit for SEA Leaders highlighted current national research, policy, and practice in virtual education. In addition to featured speakers, opportunities for cross-state and in-state collaboration and consultation with experts were available.

An invitation-only event.

Contact: Carol Keirstead
Email: ckeirsteadatrmcres.com

pdf Full Summary of the Regional P-12 Summit on Virtual Education

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