iNACOL Annual Conference 2012 – Thank You and Resources

From Friday’s inbox…

To view this email as a web page, go here.

Dear Michael,   I am excited to share with you resources from this year’s iNACOL annual conference on K-12 online and blended learning, the Virtual School Symposium (VSS), where we broke new ground in both attendance and scope. More than 2,100 of our colleagues gathered in New Orleans to learn and share best practices, and to discuss the latest trends across the online and blended learning field.   Over four days, iNACOL hosted 227 sessions with more than 320 speakers… and the most remarkable student panel we’ve ever had.   If you were able to join us, thank you! I hope you took as much away from the experience as I did. If you couldn’t be there in person, please see the list below for some of the tremendous resources available to connect with many aspects of the conference.   I come away from each VSS inspired by the work all of us are doing across the country and around the world as we move towards iNACOL’s 10th anniversary in 2013. It is truly astounding to see how far we’ve come, and how fast we are moving to provide great educational options for all students.   Don’t stop believing.   Sincerely,   Susan Patrick President and CEO     VSS Conference Video Links (link)   A Conversation on Next Generation Learning with Susan Patrick (iNACOL) and Stacey Childress (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) Leading Transformational Change: Tinkering or Transforming (Louisiana State Superintendent of Schools John White) Creative Leadership: Invention & Innovation (Chic Thompson) Student Panel Connecting the Dots: Transformative Trajectories (John Bailey of Digital Learning Now!, Karen Cator of the U.S. Department of Education, and Michael Horn of the Innosight Institute)   FREE download (Kindle edition) of Chic Thompson’s “What A Great Idea! 2.0″   Chic Thompson – enthused by his interactions at iNACOL’s VSS – is offering a free download of the Kindle edition of his book “What A Great Idea! 2.0″ to VSS attendees and iNACOL members for a limited time. Thanks, Chic! (link - good for two weeks) (How to get the book onto your Kindle)   Publications    Measuring Quality from Inputs to Outcomes: Creating Student Learning Performance Metrics and Quality Assurance for Online Schools (link) Keeping Pace with K-12 Online and Blended Learning 2012 (link) “Lessons Learned from Blended Programs: Experiences and Recommendations from the Field” (link) “Lessons Learned in Teacher Mentoring: Supporting Educators in K-12 Online Learning Environments” ( link)   Resources   iNACOL K-12 Online and Blended Learning Research Database (link) Teacher Videos Illustrating iNACOL’s National Standards for Quality Online Teaching (link)

This email was sent to: mkbarbour@gmail.com This email was sent by: North American Council for Online Learning dba International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) 1934 Old Gallows Road, Suite 350, Vienna, VA, 22182-4040, United States We respect your right to privacy – view our policy

2012 State of the Nation: K-12 Online Learning in Canada Report Released

While those attending the Computer Users in Education-British Columbia conference this past week received advanced notice, the 2012 State of the Nation: K-12 Online Learning in Canada report was officially released today at the International Association for K-12 Online Learning‘s Virtual School Symposium in New Orleans.

This year’s report was sponsored by Learn, Heritage Christian Online Schools, LearningMate Solutions, and Florida Virtual School Global.  It was published by Open School British Columbia.  The executive summary of the report reads:

This is the fifth edition of the State of the Nation: K–12 Online Learning in Canada report. The purpose of this annual investigation is to describe the policies and regulations that govern K–12 distance education in each of the thirteen Canadian provinces and territories. The study is also designed to survey the level of K–12 distance education activity across the country.

Over the past year there have been few changes to the regulation of K–12 distance education in Canada. Some provinces and territories still have little to no regulation. There are other provinces and territories that have passing references to distance education in their Education Act or Schools Act—often language that is no longer relevant due to changes with distance education delivery or the nature of K–12 distance education programs in operation. Further, there are several provinces and territories that use policy documents issued by the Ministry of Education. Finally, there is one province that has articles included in the collective bargaining agreement between the Government and teachers’ union, with one province that has an extensive legislative regime. British Columbia continues to have the most structured regulatory regime, while Quebec and Saskatchewan continue to have no regulation at all for K–12 distance education. Finally, there are several provinces that are in the process of reviewing their distance education policies (e.g., New Brunswick, Manitoba and Alberta).

The level of K–12 distance education activity in Canada continues to grow, although that growth is uneven and only experienced in certain jurisdictions. There also continues to be some level of K–12 distance education activity in all thirteen provinces and territories, with British Columbia having the highest number and highest percentage of student participation and Nunavut having the lowest. Further, the total number and proportion of K–12 students enrolled in distance education has increased from 2010–11 to 2011–12. However, that growth was isolated to a few jurisdictions—namely British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta. Provinces that have had longstanding distance education programs, particularly those in Eastern Canada, have seen more consistent levels of K–12 distance education participation. Finally, there also continues to be a reliance on print-based methods of distance education delivery in some jurisdictions.

The full report can be accessed at:

http://www.openschool.bc.ca/pdfs/iNACOL_CanadaStudy_2012.pdf

Earlier this morning, a panel consisting of Sarah Hainsworth (Coordinator for Distributed Learning in the Nova Scotia Department of Education), Michael Canuel (Chief Executive Officer of LEARN), Karen Flello (Vice Principal for the South Island Distance Education School), and Carey Eldridge (District E-Learning Contact for the Lambton-Kent District School Board) described their own experiences within the K-12 online learning environment.  Those attending the conference can access session materials at http://vss2012.inacol.pathable.com/#meetings/90158 (however, unlike previous year’s those of us not registered for the conference are unable to access these materials).

eDynamic Launches New Online Career & Elective Courses!

iNACOL‘s annual Virtual School Symposium began yesterday.  Those that have followed this blog for some time know that I have taken to calling this is the Virtual School Trade Show, due to the high level of incorporate involvement in the event (and the organization as a whole, but that’s for another entry).  Two years ago, which was the last time I attended, I posted all 30-odd vendor e-mails that I received on the hour in the hours leading up to the event.  Even though I didn’t attend last year, I still posted the dozen-odd vendor e-mails that I received leading up to the event.  This year, again I’m not attending.  Thankfully, I only received two vendor e-mails (this one and Online PE At VSS).

eDynamic Learning – Contemporary Career & Elective Courses

	Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.
		www.edynamiclearning.com 1-877-585-2029 Click Here for More Information
	Contemporary Career & Elective Courses. Join us for live course demos at the 2012 iNACOL’s Virtual School Symposium October 21st – 24th (Booth 103) Discover how our unique online high school courses engage students.  All courses can seamlessly integrate with any learning management system. Students in over 30 states have discovered the eDynamic Difference! Watch our testimonial videos here.
Gothic Literature From vampires to ghosts, these frightening stories have influenced fiction writers since the 18th century. Terror versus horror and the influence of the supernatural are some of the themes presented in this course. Forensic Science Fingerprints. Blood spatter. DNA analysis. Students use science to better understand the crimes that are committed and to catch those individuals responsible for the crimes. Veterinary Science As animals play an increasingly important role in our lives, scientists have sought to learn more about their health and well-being.  Student will examine common diseases and treatments for domestic and wild animals.
World Religions An analysis of the major religions that have played a role in human history, including Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Shintoism, and Taosim. Anthropology I The aim of anthropology is to use a broad approach to gain an understanding of our past, present and future. This course will explore the evolution, similarity and diversity of humankind through time. Real World Parenting Students will learn what to prepare for, what to expect, and what vital steps a parent can take to create the best environment for their child.
Digital Photography I In the digital photography course, students will learn creative photographic skills and processes. Students will build a portfolio of work and explore the fields of photography and graphic arts. Criminology Why do some individuals commit crimes why others do not? What aspects in our culture and society promote crime and deviance? Why are different punishments given for the same crime? Health Science Students will be introduced to the various disciplines within the health sciences, including toxicology, clinical medicine, and biotechnology.
	eDynamic Learning Suite #219, 612-500, Country Hills Blvd NE, Calgary T3K 5K3 1.877.585.2029 // info@edynamiclearning.com www.edynamiclearning.com
	This newsletter was sent by eDynamic Learning because we thought you might be interested in online learning. Would you rather not hear from us? You can unsubscribe here.

Online PE At VSS

From Friday’s inbox…

2013 Catalog High School Health & Personal Wellness Exercise Science Nutrition Life Skills HOPE 1 & 2 Personal Health and Fitness Fitness Fundamentals 1 & 2 Walking Fitness Running Strength Training Flexibility Training Group Sports Individual Sports Advance PE 1 & 2Variations Credit Recovery PE 1 & 2 Credit Recovery Health Adaptive PE Homebound PE or Health Middle School Middle School Health Life Skills Fitness Basics 1 & 2 Intro to Group Sports 1 & 2 Intro to Individual Sports 1 & 2 Elementary K-5 Health* K-5 PE* *1-year course per grade	ONLINE PE? Absolutely! Visit Our Booth During the Virtual School Symposium in New Orleans, Oct 21-23! Stop by Booth 225 and Enter to Win an iTunes Gift Card! Contact Us Today To Learn More! Information Request Form information@caronefitness.com

Sent to mkbarbour@gmail.com — why did I get this?
Carone Fitness · PO BOX 1505 · Riverton, UT 84065

Release: iNACOL Announces Virtual School Symposium 2012

Also from Monday’s inbox…

Dear Michael,

Thought this might be of interest to you. Please let me know if you have any questions, thanks!

Parker

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         

October 15, 2012

Contact: Jonathan Oglesby
(703) 752-6256

joglesby@inacol.org

Inventing the Future of Learning at the iNACOL Virtual School Symposium 2012

Annual online and blended learning conference brings 2,000 industry leaders to New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, LA – The International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) will host nearly 2,000 online and blended learning educators, administrators, students, researchers, developers, and entrepreneurs during their annual Virtual School Symposium (VSS) in New Orleans, LA from October 21 through October 24. VSS is the premier online and blended learning conference for K-12 education in the United States and throughout the world.

“The availability of online and blended learning programs for students across the country continues to grow at an amazing pace,” said Susan Patrick, President and CEO of iNACOL. “The rate of innovation and adoption of techniques and tools is cycling fever faster as well. VSS provides that rare moment for the field to come together to share success and learn from others on the leading edge of efforts to provide students of all ages and abilities with “anytime, anyplace” learning solutions. It’s an invaluable opportunity for all of us to engage in the overarching conversation about the direction in which education must move in the United States and internationally if we are to truly provide our students with the best, and most personalized, pathways to success.”

Keynote presentations over the conference’s three days will include Louisiana’s State Superintendent of Schools John White, creativity guru and author Chic Thompson, Stacey Childress of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, author Michael Horn of Innosight Institute, and Karen Cator of the U.S. Department of Education.

As ever, the 2012 Virtual School Symposium will see the publication of several research reports and books from across the field of online and blended learning. On-site registration for VSS will be available at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans beginning October 21^st.

For more information, and a full conference agenda, please visit http://vss.inacol.org.

# # #
iNACOL is the International Association for K-12 Online Learning, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Washington, DC. Representing more than 4,000 members, iNACOL’s mission is to ensure every student everywhere has access to a world class education, no matter their geographic or economic situation by advocating for student-centered educational policies to ensure equity and access, developing quality standards for emerging learning models using online, blended and competency-based education, providing research, and supporting the ongoing professional development of classroom, school and district leaders. Keep up with iNACOL on Facebook, Twitter or our blog.