Sevenstar Newsletter ★ Blended Learning Best Practices, Trends & Tips

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Sevenstar Newsletter Issue 6, No. 8 September 2012 News and Opportunities Live Webinar: Best Practices for Implementing a Blended Model of Instruction Are you interested in adding an online component to your school? You are invited to hear Lisa Gillis present best practices for implementing blended learning programs at private schools. As a passionate advocate for more choice and opportunity in education, Lisa has guided numerous blended learning projects and helped school leaders fulfill the promise of digital learning. In this webinar, you will learn: • Why schools are considering blended learning • What the typical benefits are for students • Which do’s and don’ts to keep in mind for planning • How to avoid the 10 most common launch mistakes • Ways to effectively use blended learning Can’t make the live event? Everyone who registers will get a link to the recording after the event. About Lisa Gillis: As a lifelong educator, reformer and advocate, Lisa has held key positions from local to national levels, ranging from classroom teacher to school administrator, charter school developer, board member and parent. Lisa Gillis Chief Academic Officer Junior Achievement Date September 25, 2012 Start Time 10:00 a.m. PT 11:00 a.m. MT 12:00 p.m. CT 1:00 p.m. ET Duration 1 Hour Registration Link http://ow.ly/dFFF1 Enrollment Record Smashed for August! Our partner schools helped us set new records this August, with 1,483 enrollments occurring last month and 816 requested enrollments occurring in just one week. To God be the Glory. You are a part of this! Here is how one of our partners is using online learning in 2012: “Oaks Christian School students take online courses to relearn a subject, fit a course into their schedule, or take an enrichment course.  Between our main-campus students and other local high school students, they will enroll in more than 500 semester long courses this year.  Online courses have been a tremendous benefit to our campus in terms of flexibility.” - Vicki Conway, Director, Oaks Christian Online School Not a Partner Yet? Contact Us Today! Tomorrow’s Education is Here Today! Have you ever wondered what the future of learning will look like? Sevenstar’s online learning environment engages students in learning, has biblical integration, and is taught by highly-qualified Christian instructors. Each teacher takes time to individually attend to each student. Schools can even use their own teachers at certain partnership levels! By offering online courses at your school, students get to personalize learning to suit specific interests and work on course material anytime, anyplace, at a predetermined pace. Sevenstar is currently accepting new partnerships. Find out if your school is a good fit for online learning and apply today! Registration is Open for the Speak Up 2012 Survey The Speak Up National Research Project provides participating schools, districts and non-profit organizations with a suite of online surveys and reports to collect feedback from students, educators and parents. The top reasons private schools participate in Speak Up are to: • Collect unique data from stakeholders • Conduct a needs assessment • Create a vision and strategic plan for 21st century learning • Use the data to create and inform technology initiatives Please consider participating in this complimentary research project. For the last two years, Project Tomorrow has graciously presented the annual results through our free webinar series. Register today to participate in Speak Up 2012 Participate in Speak Up 2012 Welcome New Partner Schools! - North Coast Christian School (OR) - San Marcos Academy (TX) - Heritage Christian School (CO) - Scottsdale Christian Academy (AZ) - Trinity Oaks Christian Academy (IL) - Southwest Florida Christian Academy (FL) - Columbus Catholic High Schools (FL) - Christian Heritage Academy (OK) - Wellington Christian School (FL) - Grace Community School (TX) - Covenant Christian Academy (PA) - Arthur Christian School (IL) Devotional – Power for Imperfect People But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9 Getting back into a routine can be tough. Beginning a new one is even more difficult. Nothing reveals our weaknesses—physically, mentally, or even spiritually—like being knocked out of the comfortable rut we are in and being forced to do something different. For many, that probably describes the beginning of the school year—new routine, new activities, new people, new weaknesses revealed. It is at these times we should allow God’s words to the Apostle Paul echo in our ears: My power is made perfect in weakness. Our theme for this school year—The Power of One – Eph. 4:4-6—draws us back to the power found in our Powerful God. What a contrast His power makes with our weaknesses! As we struggle to make the cut, understand the schedule, and grow accustomed to our new routines, our need for God’s power should be more evident than ever. Aren’t you glad He is offering it? As our struggles prompt us to yield to feelings of inadequacy, frustration, and doubt, push them away in favor of the peace offered from the hands of God who is saying, “Watch My power be revealed through your life today.” We can find glory in our weakness because of our Powerful God. News Top Ten Tips for Effective Teaching Online (free webinar) Online learning is proving to be equal if not superior to the traditional classroom setting when measured in terms of faculty perception, student satisfaction, and evidence-based achievement of desired learning outcomes. In this webinar led by Brenda Watkins and Celeste Fenton of Hillsborough Community College, you will “pack your backpack” with practical strategies to improve student motivation and engagement in your distance learning courses. Register at eSchool News Small, Local Foundations Now Funding More Private Schools Driven by national trends in the economy and in philanthropy, many city-based foundations now see themselves driving a discussion around school transformation and innovation. The organizations often share a vision that embraces private schools, as well as alternative training programs for teachers and principals. Read More at EdWeek Five Technology Skills Every Student Should Learn What are the most critical technology skills for students to learn? Find out why being a tech-savvy student in the 21st century is about much more than learning how to use a certain software program or device—it’s about being able to adapt to what’s constantly changing. Read More at eSchool News Connect with us:   Our Blog   Facebook   LinkedIn   Twitter Contact Sevenstar 3630 Park 42 Drive Suite 170F Cincinnati, OH 45241, USA T: +1 877 877 7040 Newsletter Subscription This newsletter was sent to mkbarbour@gmail.com from Sevenstar. Forward To a Friend