Virtual School Symposium 2009 – Final Reminders

We look forward to welcoming you to the Virtual School Symposium (VSS) 2009 in Austin next week.
iNACOL Membership Meeting on Sunday evening
iNACOL Members are invited to attend the iNACOL Membership Annual Meeting on Sunday, November 15th at 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., where we will be discussing iNACOL programs, membership services, updates and future plans. We will also be recognizing the new Online Learning Innovator award-winners.

Networking opportunities on Sunday and Monday nights
iNACOL President’s Welcome Reception – Sunday, November 15th , 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. This year, the President’s Welcome Reception will be held in the Austin Grand Ballroom, onsite at the Austin Hilton. We hope to see you there!

VSS Monday Night Networking Dinner – Monday, November 16th , 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. The Monday night VSS networking dinner will be held at the nearby Texas History Museum at the State Capitol, transportation will be provided.

VSS Newcomers Welcome and Orientation on Monday morning
First-time VSS Attendees: We are excited that you will be attending the conference for the first time. You will have the opportunity to learn from and network with expert leaders and practitioners in K-12 online learning from around the world.

In order for you to get the best possible experience throughout the conference, we would like to invite first-time attendees to a “Newcomers’ Welcome Session” on Monday, November 16th, 7:15 -7:45 a.m. in Meeting Room 406 in the Hilton. This session will be during the Continental Breakfast prior to the 8:00 a.m. opening session. This Welcome Session will allow you to meet several members of the iNACOL Staff and the VSS Program Committee, as they provide an orientation to guide you, highlight sessions which target those new to online learning, and answer your questions about iNACOL and the conference.

Dress Code
The dress code for the conference is resort/business casual (khakis), so please plan to be comfortable. But don’t forget to pack your jeans for the annual VSS networking dinner on Monday, November 16, 2009 at the Texas History Museum – the theme is “Boots & Bandanas”.

VSS 2009 Registration Hours

Sunday, November 15	8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Monday, November 16	7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 17	7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Special Opportunity – Chat with an iNACOL Researcher
In keeping with the last two VSS conferences, the research committee will be organizing opportunities for participants to speak with virtual school researchers and evaluators. In the past, those who have an interest in conducting research or carrying out internal or external evaluations have had the opportunity to sit down for an hour and get suggestions and advice from someone with experience doing these activities. If you are interested in speaking with a researcher or evaluator, please e-mail Michael Barbour at mkbarbour@gmail.com with your name, organization, position, and the nature of your interest in this opportunity. We will try and match you up with someone who reflects your specific interests at a time that is convenient for you during the symposium.

See the full Conference Agenda

Spa Discounts for VSS Attendees
And if you plan to pamper yourself during your stay in Austin, iNACOL has negotiated a Spa Discount –Call 512-493-4903 to pre-book your spa treatment at the Tower Health Club and Spa at the Hilton Austin before November 15th and receive a 10% discount. Call now to book your treatment, as space is limited.

About the Virtual School Symposium
The VSS conference, in Austin, TX from November 15 – 17, 2009, provides professional development for more than 1,200 attendees and K-12 administrators, policy leaders and practitioners; important networking opportunities; access to expertise and analysis, trends and research; and thought-provoking sessions for leaders looking to help shape the future of education. Presentations will highlight K-12 education solutions for college-readiness, credit recovery, teacher improvement and overcoming teacher shortages, web-based core and advanced courses, as well as personalized learning solutions for students across the grade-levels. For more information, visit www.virtualschoolsymposium.org.

About iNACOL
iNACOL is a non-profit 501(c)(3) membership association based in the Washington, DC area with more than 2,500 members. We are unique; our members represent a diverse cross-section of K-12 education from school districts, charter schools, state education agencies, non-profit organizations, research institutions, corporate entities and other content & technology providers. For more information, visit www.inacol.org.

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6th Annual Michigan Online Learning Symposium

Jamey Fitzpatrick from Michigan Virtual sent me this late last week.

Michael,

I hope things are going well for you.  I would like to invite you to attend the 2009 MVU Online Learning Symposium: Connecting with Youth in a Media-rich World, being held on December 2nd.  This year’s Symposium will explore how young people are using new media and communication tools to build social networks, create content and learn from their peers. I have attached a one-page flyer that describes this event and where to register.  You can also watch the following video clip to learn more about the Symposium and our special offer for school board members to attend:

http://mediasite.mivu.org/Mediasite/Viewer/?peid=a4820cd8538e440c9c9c1af6b6f3d264

Thank you for sharing this information with other educators.

Jamey

Celebrating ten years of online learning excellence!

Jamey Fitzpatrick
President
Michigan Virtual University
3101 Technology Blvd, Suite G
Lansing, MI  48910

To find out more about the symposium, you can visit http://www.mivu.org/AboutUs/MVUSymposium/tabid/413/Default.aspx

NRCRES Conference: Increasing Rural 8th Graders’ Access to Algebra I: Is Online Education An Effective Alternative?

The final day of The National Research Center on Rural Education Support’s Supporting Rural Schools and Communities Research Conference (see program here). The breakout session today that focused upon K-12 distance education is:

8:00 – 9:45
Break-Out Session I
Distance Education and Technology

Chairs: Judith Meece and Matthew Irvin
Discussant: Miles Bryant (UNL)

Presenters:

• Wallace Hannum (UNC-CH) and Matthew Irvin (UNC-CH) – Enhancing Distance Education in Rural Schools
• Michael Barbour (Wayne State University) – Supporting K-12 Students Online: Local schools, Virtual Schools, and Teacher Education
• Peggy Clements (REL-NEI) – Increasing Rural 8th Graders’ Access to Algebra I: Is Online Education an Effective Alternative?
• Steve Oliver (UGA) – Relevance of NSF Drivers of Systemic Reform for Instructional Technology Interventions

This entry is focused on the first group in this session:

Peggy Clements (REL-NEI) – Increasing Rural 8th Graders’ Access to Algebra I: Is Online Education an Effective Alternative?

The session began with a rationale for her study…  Studying Algebra I because it is a gatekeeping course for more advanced mathematics, and studying it in an online environment with eighth graders because online delivery is a common way to increase access to curricular opportunities.  The sample focused on 70 schools in Maine and Vermont that did not previously offer Algebra I courses in their school.  The students who were the focus of the study were “algebra ready” (AR) eighth graders (based on the decision of the schools), but they were also interested in any side affects for the three quarters of eighth grade “non-algebra ready” students who were left in the classroom environment.

The primary research questions were:

1. What is the impact of offering Algebra I online to AR students on their end-of-eighth grade algebra achievement?
2. What is the impact of offering Algebra I online to AR students on their subsequent high school course taking?

The secondary research questions:

1. What is the impact of offering Algebra I online to AR students on the N-AR students mathematics achievement?
2. What is the impact of offering Algebra I online to AR students on the n-AR students subsequent high school course taking?
3. What is the impact of offering Algebra I online to AR students on the AR general mathematics achievement?

Unfortunately, while the research project has been completed the funding agency hasn’t approved the report yet – so the presenter was not able to discuss the results.

As a side note, on two separate occasions the presenter decided to “correct” something she thought I had said in my presentations – the first time she clearly wasn’t listening to what I said and the second time it was something she appears to have made up altogether.

Crossposted at Rural Education SIG.

NRCRES Conference: Enhancing Distance Education In Rural Schools

The final day of The National Research Center on Rural Education Support’s Supporting Rural Schools and Communities Research Conference (see program here). The breakout session today that focused upon K-12 distance education is:

8:00 – 9:45
Break-Out Session I
Distance Education and Technology

Chairs: Judith Meece and Matthew Irvin
Discussant: Miles Bryant (UNL)

Presenters:

• Wallace Hannum (UNC-CH) and Matthew Irvin (UNC-CH) – Enhancing Distance Education in Rural Schools
• Michael Barbour (Wayne State University) – Supporting K-12 Students Online: Local schools, Virtual Schools, and Teacher Education
• Peggy Clements (REL-NEI) – Increasing Rural 8th Graders’ Access to Algebra I: Is Online Education an Effective Alternative?
• Steve Oliver (UGA) – Relevance of NSF Drivers of Systemic Reform for Instructional Technology Interventions

This entry is focused on the first group in this session:

Wallace Hannum (UNC-CH) and Matthew Irvin (UNC-CH) – Enhancing Distance Education in Rural Schools

This session was a follow-up or more detailed focus on the qualitative results from yesterday’s session (see NRCRES Conference: Overview Of The Enhancing Rural Online Learning Project).  The data was based on discussion boards and interviews.  Some of the findings included:

• scenarios very useful to facilitators
• felt strategies likely effective but time limitations often impeded use
• already knew students and families very well
• the APA Learner Centered Principles may be better for less experienced educators

Interestingly, the research targeted what they called “very small” rural school and for over 80% of the schools that participated in their study this was the first time they had online learning in their schools. Based on their findings, they found that the best facilitators

• communcated regularly
• kept teacher informed of absences in advance
• had some connection to the content
• were aware of what students were doing
• assisted students with daily activities
• kept students on task
• were more than just a “baby sitter”
• checked daily e-mails from teacher
• were effective classroom managers

In terms of practice, the researchers found the facilitators were likely important, particularly when there was good communication and awareness of the role.

Crossposted at Rural Education SIG.

NRCRES 2009: Supporting K-12 Students Online: Local schools, Virtual Schools, And Teacher Education

The final day of The National Research Center on Rural Education Support’s Supporting Rural Schools and Communities Research Conference (see program here). The breakout session today that focused upon K-12 distance education is:

8:00 – 9:45
Break-Out Session I
Distance Education and Technology

Chairs: Judith Meece and Matthew Irvin
Discussant: Miles Bryant (UNL)

Presenters:

• Wallace Hannum (UNC-CH) and Matthew Irvin (UNC-CH) – Enhancing Distance Education in Rural Schools
• Michael Barbour (Wayne State University) – Supporting K-12 Students Online: Local schools, Virtual Schools, and Teacher Education
• Peggy Clements (REL-NEI) – Increasing Rural 8th Graders’ Access to Algebra I: Is Online Education an Effective Alternative?
• Steve Oliver (UGA) – Relevance of NSF Drivers of Systemic Reform for Instructional Technology Interventions

This entry is focused on my presentation in this session:

Michael Barbour (Wayne State University) – Supporting K-12 Students Online: Local schools, Virtual Schools, and Teacher Education

As this was my session, the best I can do is post the slides I used.  These are available at:

http://www.michaelbarbour.com/research/pubs/nrcres-2009.pdf

If you have any questions about this presentation, feel free to ask.

Crossposted at Rural Education SIG.