New Zealand: Tomorrows Schools Review Report Out

One of my Kiwi colleagues passed this along…

---

https://conversation.education.govt.nz/conversations/tomorrows-schools-review/

Online or e-learning does have a place in the pages of the Government’s decision document:

Flexible learning and specialist provision: Over the longer term, the Government will consider opportunities to promote a more cohesive national approach to support flexible learning and specialist provision. This would include the roles of Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Te Kura) and the Virtual Learning Network (VLN), and the national and local special schools/kura.

…

4e. A review of the roles of Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (Te Kura) and the Virtual Learning Network (VLN), and the national and local special schools/kura, is undertaken with the aim of developing a more cohesive national approach to flexible learning and specialist provision. Progress further Priority B: Progress within the next 2 – 4 years “

Your NDLW Recording Link + More Multimedia Resources

An item from Quality Matters.

Uncover Answers to Your Multimedia Questions

Thank you for your interest in our 2019 National Distance Learning Week webinar on multimedia use in online courses! The recording of the webinar — “Busting Multimedia Myths: An Evidence-Based Approach to Quality Instructional Media” — is now available for you to view. It may also be viewed on Facebook. During the webinar, Dr. Steven Crawford explored different multimedia modalities and the research that supports best practices for using multimedia in online courses. Several of you inquired about Dr. Crawford’s references. Here is the complete list of references for your review. There were many other questions as well. These resources will help you find some answers: Many of you had general questions such as how to make presentations engaging for all types of learners. Delve into this issue and discover how you can use instructional materials, learning activities and technology to effectively promote learner engagement in Using Instructional Materials & Technology to Promote Learner Engagement. The next two-week workshop begins December 5. Register today! Accessibility was another hot topic with several participants wondering about making multimedia materials accessible for all learners. A great place to get info on that is the Accessibility and Usability Resource Site. The site addresses many important accessibility issues, including video captions and audio descriptions. Register to access the site today! Questions about video length also popped up in the Q & A. Take a deeper dive into the research behind the issue with “Video Length in Online Courses: What the Research Says.” Then, visit our Research Library and search for research related to QM Standard 4. Over 280 results represent the latest findings on the use of instructional materials in online learning, including video.

Quality Matters (QM) is the global organization leading quality assurance in online and innovative digital teaching and learning environments. It provides a scalable quality assurance system for online and blended learning used within and across organizations. When you see QM Certification Marks on courses or programs, it means they have met QM Course Design Standards or QM Program Review Criteria in a rigorous review process.

View this email in your browser Forward to a friendCopyright © 2019 QM Quality Matters, Inc., All rights reserved. Our email marketing is permission-based. If you received a mailing from us, our records indicate that (a) you have expressly shared this address for the purpose of receiving information in the future (“opt-in”), or (b) you have registered or purchased or otherwise have an existing relationship with us. We respect your time and attention by controlling the frequency of our mailings. Our mailing address is: QM Quality Matters, Inc. 1997 Annapolis Exchange Parkway Suite 300 Annapolis, MD 21401

EBSCO Alerts

First, I did not receive an alert for virtual schools.

Next, I also did not receive the alert for cyber schools.

Finally, once again I did not receive the alert for K-12 online learning.

So nothing to report again this week.

Aurora Institute Symposium Save The Date: October 25-28, 2020

An early reminder of this neo-liberal conference next year.

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

Dear Colleagues: Thank you for attending the Aurora Institute (formerly iNACOL) Symposium in Palm Springs, California. We hope you engaged in deep discussions around personalized, competency-based learning in an effort to foster equity, access and high-quality educational opportunities for all students. Please save the date for next year’s Symposium, to be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center on October 25-28, 2020. Registration will open in spring 2020. To reflect on this year’s Symposium and continue learning, here are some links to look forward to: Symposium 2019 Highlights Podcasts from the Voices Hub #inacol19 / #aurora19 Aurora Institute would like to thank all of our Symposium sponsors for their support of our event, and our philanthropic Diamond-level supporters, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and Walton Family Foundation,whose support makes our Symposium possible. About Aurora Institute  The mission of Aurora Institute is to drive the transformation of education systems and accelerate the advancement of breakthrough policies and practices to ensure high-quality learning for all. Visit our website, like us on Facebook, connect with us on LinkedIn and follow us on Twitter. Facebook Twitter Linkedin YouTube

This email was sent by: Aurora Institute 1934 Old Gallows Road, Suite 350, Vienna, VA, 22182-4040 United States

Spotlight On Quabbin Regional School District

An item from a US-based blended learning organization.

Highlander Institute

No Images? Click here

Join the conversation as we partner with communities to design and implement school-based change.

In This Week’s Issue

• Spotlight on our partnership with Quabbin Regional School District
• Purchase tickets to our Personalization 2020 Conference
• Check out Promise54’s newly released DEI in Action case studies
• Submit your event for Remake Learning Days Across America

Spotlight on Quabbin Regional School District

This week, Melinda Lopez and Kara O’Connell from our Implementation Team facilitated a full day of design activities at Quabbin School District in Barre, Massachusetts. This professional development is part of our larger partnership with the district, with 6 schools taking part in district-wide design work to create a guiding vision and priority practices. There are 22 teachers taking part in the pilot phase, which will focus on rigor and mastery with students. Thank you to the entire Quabbin team for your engagement, curiosity, and enthusiasm!

Registration Open

Our Personalization 2020 Conference is coming up on April 2-4, 2020. Join us in Providence for 3 days of learning – from site visits, to workshops, to symposium sessions. Early-bird pricing is available before February 1. Save an extra $50 when you purchase a 3-day ticket bundle.

Register

From Other Organizations

DEI in Action Case Studies

We are excited to announce that DEI in Action: A Radically Human Approach to Case Studies is now live! We hope this resource serves as a valuable learning tool for the sector as we explore the complex, challenging, rewarding, and ultimately human process of engaging in DEI (Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion) work.

These are not the case studies you’re used to. Check out “DEI in Action,” Promise54’s new series that follows Blue Engine, College Track, and TNTP’s multi-year efforts to deepen their organizational commitments to – and actions around – diversity, inclusion, and equity. These stories are a radically human alternative to the run-of-the-mill case study, reflecting the messy reality of progress made and missteps along the way.

Read More Here

Remake Learning Days Across America: Seeking Rhode Island Pop-Up Events 

Remake Learning Days Across America (RLDAA) is a learning festival that celebrates the many learning opportunities in a community. This celebration highlights innovative experiences and opportunities for youth to develop their sense of creativity, perseverance and curiosity. A variety of organizations — such as schools, museums, libraries, after school organizations, early child care centers, universities, media centers, tech startups and more — open their doors and host events for families to learn together.

Organizations in Rhode Island with events happening April 23 – May 23, 2020 can participate in RLDAA by submitting their hands-on learning family-friendly events to the RLD website as a Pop-up Event. Click below for more information.

Submit a Pop-Up Event

Highlander Institute
www.highlanderinstitute.org
Providence, RIPlease feel free to contact us directly, visit our website, or connect with us on social media!