CUE Member eNews – June 2021

An item for my readers in California.

Oops! In our previous email, we accidentally botched the Fall CUE 2021 dates! Fall CUE 2021 takes place October 23-24 at the Teachers College of San Joaquin in Stockton, CA! Staying Connected Welcome to the June Member eNews The Transformative Leadership Summit • Summer Reading List • Fall CUE & Spring CUE • CUE Member News • Exciting ways to get involved with CUE Affiliate and events and opportunities! The Transformative Leadership Summit June 23 • 9:00AM – 1:15 PM An ONLINE & FREE Leadership Summit promoting practices to create modern-day learning. Post-Pandemic Planning -Using What Worked (and Didn’t) to Re-Create Our Schools with THREE TRANSFORMATIVE TOPICS to address POST PANDEMIC NEEDS Digital Transformation Campus Wellness Personalized Learning Hear from experts and discuss with peers in similar positions from across California and beyond! RSVP for the FREE Event CUE Member Summer Reads 2021 Call for Recommendations If there’s one thing we know about educators, it’s that they are always reading. The CUE Team is pulling together a selection of summer reads to share out and we want to hear from you! We’re looking for a variety of books– from education and non-fiction, to fiction, fantasy, poetry, or other genres. Have you read something that would be a great recommendation for a summer read? Let us know, and give us a brief explanation of why you’re recommending the title(s). The CUE Summer Reading List will be included in the July Member eNews and featured on our blog! Recommend a Summer Read We Are Back In Person! FALL CUE 2021 Fall CUE will present our first opportunity to re-unite the CUEmmunity together once again to meet in person! Are you ready? NEW LOCATION: Teachers College of San Joaquin, in Stockton, CA! REGISTER FOR FALL CUE 2021 Save the Date – SPRING CUE 2022 Spring CUE 2022 is scheduled to take place March 17-19 in Palm Springs, CA! CUE Member News! Niles Elementary School Students Win Grand Prize and $5,000 Grant in National Book Challenge Local educator and longtime CUE member, Ms. Sissie Lola-Woodward, and her first grade class at Niles Elementary School have been announced as the grand prize winners in the 2020-2021 National Book Challenge hosted by Studentreasures Publishing. Lola-Woodward’s class beat out over 60,290 other entries to take this honor, winning themselves a $5,000 grant for their school. Read the Article On/CUE LeRoy Finkel Award Winner Takes on Local History, STEM and More for Her Students Lisa Chavez is not just your average third grade teacher. Nope — she’s a creative problem solver, STEM inspiring role model, newly elected IA CUE Board Member, and the newest winner of the LeRoy Finkel Fellowship (LeRoy’s Big Idea). Despite teaching in the midst of a pandemic, Chavez – a 20-year education veteran – was able to make more meaningful connections with her students, families, and learning community as a whole, while learning to utilize EdTech in ways she hadn’t previously dreamed about. Read the Article On/CUE Grants Available for Field Trips to California State Parks! CUE has partnered with Parks California and California State Parks to bring you the passPORTS blended access to parks program! With this partnership comes the wonderful opportunity for you and your students to apply and receive a field trip grant to visit a participating California State Park. Our goal is to take 4,250 students by the end of the 2021-22 school year. As our golden state begins to re-open and our students come back to in-person learning, what better way to have them engage than a geographic, historic, scientific, and cultural experience at a California State Park! This is a great opportunity to expose your students to our California State Parks and engage in a wonderful educational experience. The application process is simple and easy. Apply for a Grant Today! Share Your Knowledge! Showcase your expertise with a live chat or demo on Twitter or Facebook! We are looking for CUE members to share their knowledge, activities, strategies, and/or events! Sign-up to be Our Next Guest! SAVE THE DATES Upcoming June Affiliate Events Register for the FREE Event!

AT&T/MACUL Student Showcase – Save the Date

An item for my readers in Michigan.

Did you miss the Student Technology Showcase at the Capitol last year? We did too and that’s why we are excited to be back for the 20th Annual STS on December 8th. Save the date, start planning now and fill out the interest form to bring your innovative student teams to Lansing! Save the Date

Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning | 520 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917

This Week in CDN EdTech Top 10 >>Dr. Alice Covatta, Universite de Montreal Podcast: School Design & Well-Being, Guest Educator Blog: 5 Tips on Buying EdTech, Applyboard Receives $375 Million Teachers Pension Fund, Research, Parent Corner >> Issue #278

An item from a Canadian-based K-12 educational technology organization.

View this email in your browser. Click Here to Subscribe Now!

Top 10 Issue #278, June 18, 2021 To read back Issues click here Click here to advertise This Week in Canadian EdTech MindshareTV podcast with Professor & Architect, Alice Covatta, Universite de Montreal, on the evolution of work & learning environments. Click Here to Watch Dear Thought Leader, Happy Friday! A great opportunity to kick back and have a quick read of this past week’s highlights in learning & innovation across Canada and beyond!   Earlier this week, I was engaged in a debate on Clubhouse over students experiencing ‘learning loss,’ a term that I’m not fond of at all. I think we can all agree that ‘COVID’ learning this past year enabled some students to thrive and others were more challenged. It presents opportunities to create for more personalized learning models that addresses equity and well-being, where all students can thrive. (Checkout Project Tomorrow’s Speak Up recently released research in the way of Infographs featured in this report provide a glimpse into students well-being and their preferred modes of learning).   My hope is that we don’t experience a 4th wave and that students in both K12 and post-secondary education return to in class learning, where great EdTech tools continue to be leveraged at the right time.   Speaking of which, this week we are honoured to have a special guest educator blog by award-winning, Zelia Capatao-Tavares, TDSB>> 5 Tips for choosing a New EdTech Tools for your classroom.   While EdTech tools and platforms provided mission critical services during the pandemic, we have an opportunity to redefine learning environments and how we interface with EdTech. Be sure to tune into my MindShareTV lead podcast with Dr. Alice Covatta, University de Montreal, a fascinating conversation with this professor of architecture on designing student centered learning environments with a focus on well-being.   Before I get too deep into back to school, we have much to celebrate with your successes of this past year.  As life returns to some sense of normalcy, I hope you can take the opportunity to unwind and recharge over the summer. We are currently planning a quick little getaway to Quebec over the long weekend.   The judges have spoken! Watch for Canada’s Schools of the Future [Student Engagement] Challenge Winners in next week’s issue! Special thanks to all entrants and sponsors! As a proud media partner, a reminder that it’s not too late to register for ISTE21, June 26-30, where we’ll be hosting our 21st CanAm EdTech Celebration of Excellence (Virtual Meetup), honouring our Schools of the Future Challenge winners, June 28.   I hope you enjoy this week’s Top 10 curated news stories that really provide a national lens and pulse for some of the incredible innovation happening across our vast Canadian landscape.   Special thanks to you, our loyal readership,  our team, board of advisors and valued partners, who enable us to share and stay connected with you on a weekly basis through our growing community. Until next time, stay healthy, stay safe and keep the learning curve steep! P.S. Congrats to the Girls Who Game National Winners Announced in this Report! Robert Martellacci, M.A. EdTech President, MindShare Learning Technology™ Chief Digital Publisher, The MindShare Learning Report™ Founder, MindShare Workspace CEO & Co-founder, C21 Canada™ Follow us on Twitter @MindShareLearn robert@mindsharelearning.com https://mindsharelearning.ca/ Share Share Register Here Winners of the Schools of the Future Student Engagement Challenge to be Annouced in next week’s issue of the MindShare Learning Top 10 Report Join in on the CanAm Clubhouse Community Social Radio Tuesday’s @ 8pm ET Quote of the Week “When it comes to raising children in a digital world, every parent feels underprepared and overwhelmed. We worry that our children will become addicted to online games, be victims of cyberbullying, or get lost down the rabbit hole of social media. We warn them about all the things they shouldn’t do online, but we don’t do nearly enough to teach them the skills of digital well-being.”                                      — Richard Culatta, CEO, ISTE                                      on the release of his new book:                                         DIGITAL for GOOD  Featured Book of the Week Kids deserve a better digital future. Help them create it. When it comes to raising children in a digital world, every parent feels underprepared and overwhelmed. We worry that our children will become addicted to online games, be victims of cyberbullying, or get lost down the rabbit hole of social media. We warn them about all the things they shouldn’t do online, but we don’t do nearly enough to teach them the skills of digital well-being. It’s time to start a new conversation. In  Digital for Good, EdTech expert Richard Culatta argues that technology can be a powerful tool for learning, solving humanity’s toughest problems, and bringing us closer together. Purchase Here OECD Education and Skills Today: How can we foster lifelong learning attitudes in students? During the COVID-19 pandemic, the disruption of face-to-face teaching in schools led to 1.6 billion students being forced to adapt to a more challenging alternative, remote schooling. While some students were able to keep up with the transition to remote learning, many others, particularly young and socio-economically disadvantaged learners, experienced large learning losses. For example, a study in Belgium showed that school closures led to sharp increases in educational inequalities within and across schools. Unless these learning losses are tackled, our economies will suffer in the long term due to lower productivity and growth. Read More C21 Canada CIO Alliance [Recorded] Webinar >> Planning for Back to School>> Digital Equity & Internet Access Best Practices>> Emerging Models for Learning Watch Here Congratulations to the Girls Who Game National Build Challenge Winners: 1st place: Archwood School, 2nd place: Toronto District School Board & 3rd place Lambton Kent District School Board  Register Here Consulate General of Canada’s Bi-Coastal EdTech Accelerator Program: Apply Today! Learn More Featured Infograph of the Week…… See Full Report Findings See Full Report Findings K-12 Top News Stories 1. Google updates its kids online safety curriculum with lessons on gaming, video and more aldergrovestar.com, June 13, 2021 Google announced today it’s updating and expanding its digital safety and citizenship curriculum called Be Internet Awesome, which is aimed at helping school-aged children learn to navigate the internet responsibly. First introduced four years ago, the curriculum now reaches 30 countries and millions of kids, says Google. In the update rolling out today, Google has added nearly a dozen more lessons for parents and educators that tackle areas like online gaming, search engines, video consumption, online empathy, cyberbullying and more. Read full story 2. K–12 Education Post-Pandemic: What We Take With Us And What We Leave Behind michaelbhorn.substack.com, June 17, 2021 As we turn the page on the 2020-21 school year, reflections around what we’ve learned are running rampant. Despite the chaos, many educators have discovered and built new practices that they are eager to hold onto—as well as several that they’d love to let go as soon as possible. My friend and colleague Michael Petrilli offered his own take on five K–12 pandemic-era practices that deserve the dustbin in this piece for Education Next that I recommend. Read full story 3. TDSB Summary of Digital Learning Resources: DIGITAL LEARNING + CONNECTED COMMUNITIES = THRIVE TOGETHER spark.adobe, June 14, 2021 How do I create inclusive and engaging learning experiences using TDSB approved digital tools? How do I access these tools? Which online content and resources should I use? Read full story 4. Leveraging Technology to Create More Learner-Centered Experiences katielmartin.com: June 14, 2021 When I first heard that my kids were going back to school in person I thought it would be great to abandon the computers and just be in community– I still think this is very important– but my thinking shifted when I assumed my son Zack was so ready to be done with the computer. He surprised me and said, “no actually, I like knowing what my assignments are and what I am supposed to do upfront. I like being able to choose when I do things and I know when I have completed my work.” Read full story 5. Immersive STEM learning program debuting this fall for Indigenous high school students unbc.ca: June 9, 2021 A Science Escape at UNBC is a free immersive program which will offer participating Indigenous youth from Northern BC an opportunity to expand their STEM knowledge through active online learning, at-home experiments, and, when it becomes possible, a week-long on-campus experience. Read Full Story Post-Secondary Top News 6. ApplyBoard Announces C$375M Investment Round with a Valuation of C$4B applyboard.com, June 15, 2021 ApplyBoard is thrilled to announce that we have raised C$375M (US$300M) in Series D funding at a post-money valuation of C$4B (US$3.2B)! The round was led by Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board, through its Teachers’ Innovation Platform (TIP). TIP focuses on late-stage venture and growth equity investments in companies developing innovative technologies. Existing investors Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC, BDC, Harmonic, Index Ventures, Garage Capital, and Blue Cloud Ventures also participated in the round. Read full story 7. Largest esports facility in Canada coming to St. Clair College in 2022 stclaircollege.ca: June 9, 2021 Canada’s first varsity esports program will soon have a new home in a state-of-the-art facility at St. Clair College as part of a $23 million project. The esports facility at the school’s South Campus in Windsor, Ont., will be the largest publicly accessible facility of its kind at over 15,000 square feet, setting the bar for varsity esports in North America and further cementing St. Clair as a destination college for aspiring students, gamers and esports enthusiasts. Read full story 8. New funding for immersive technologies makes virtual a reality at UBCO news.ok.ubc.ca: June 10, 2021 $1.65 million federal grant creates futuristic learning and applied research opportunities Funding from the Government of Canada will help establish one of the world’s first truly interdisciplinary immersive technologies graduate programs at UBC’s Okanagan campus. Read full story 9. Concordia lands $1.6M grant for artificial intelligence and software engineering research concordia.ca: June 10, 2021 Concordia has earned another prestigious Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) program grant, valued at $1.6 million over six years. Emad Shihab, associate professor of computer science and software engineering and Concordia University Research Chair in Software Analytics, and his team secured the grant. The funds will support their NSERC CREATE training program on the Development, Deployment and Servicing of Artificial Intelligence-based Software Systems. Read full story 10. Contact North Webinar: Envisioning the Future of ExperientialLearning: A worldwide address by Dana Stephenson Co-founder and CEO of Riipen contactnorth: June 16, 2021 Watch Recored Webinar NEW! 5 Tips for choosing a New EdTech Tool for your classroom Zelia Capitao-Tavares, Elementary Teacher, Grade 4, McMurrich Junior Public School As this school year comes to an end, it is the reflections and stories shared by educators who have worked exhaustively to consider how to reimagine building community and student engagement online. As well as, exploring instructional strategies to support our class community of learners. A big part of this involves designing lessons that build in opportunities for both synchronous and asynchronous learning while leveraging digital learning tools to capture student learning. Especially during the pandemic moving from in-person to remote teaching or dedicated virtual school for the current school year and thinking ahead to prepare for back-to-school. Read Blog HERE Events  EdTech World Forum Virtual Conference 2021 June 24-25, 2021 Visit Event Page 5TH CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ADVANCES IN EDUCATION, TEACHING & TECHNOLOGY 2021 June 12-13, 2021 Visit Event Page ICEAT 2021: 15. International Conference on Educational Animations and Technology June 15-16, 2021 Visit Event Page Serious Play Online Conference June 23-26, 2021 Visit Event Page ISTE Live 21 Designing a New Learning Landscape June 26-30, 2021 Visit Event Page 2021 Atlantic Education Institute: A New Direction in Education July 26- August 6, 2021 Visit Event Page FETC Conference January 25-28, 2022 Visit Event Page Parent Corner Parent Teaching Resources  1. Explore Curriculum Connected Resources Nelson is committed to providing parents and students with the right tools to support distance learning. We have curated activities across math, reading and writing, and mental health and well- being to deliver the right tools to support your learning needs at home. Click to Learn More 2. Government of Canada: Educational activities In addition to the fun activities below, we propose resources for elementary and secondary students as well as activities to do in class, interesting videos and information on space careers. Click to Learn More 3. List of Free Online Resources for Canadians During the COVID-19 Pandemic The Dealhack Canada Guide to Free Online Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic is a compilation of online courses, software, academic journals, and apps that you can access for free during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can download and print this guide in PDF format so you can access it even without Internet access. Click to Read More Click to Read More Make MindShare Learning Part of your Storytelling Strategy!   Advertise your  not-for-profit organization or EdTech company. Sponsor a Webinar, or Canadian EdTech Summit!  Share your press releases, career opportunities and more! Ask us about our EdTech strategy consulting services. Contact us at info@mindsharelearning.com ‘NEW’ MindShare Learning Digital Marketing & Consulting Kit Share your press releases, career opportunities and more! About Us The MindShare Learning Report team is made up of the following individuals: Robert Martellacci, M.A. Ed Tech., Chief Digital Publisher Dr. Ron Owston, PhD., Research Associate, University Professor Emeritus, Former Dean of Faculty, York University Chris Kim, PhD., Research Associate, Software Engineer, software studio, Fresco Industries Timothy Gard, B.Ed., OCT, M.A, Chief Learning Strategist Hanan Mousa, Associate Digital Media Specialist Ivana Zelich, Digital Media University Intern MindShare Advisory Board  The MindShare Report is grateful for the guidance and support provided by our esteemed advisory board. Members include: Laurent Burman, M.B.A., Chief Commercial Officer, Sound Commerce Kevin Custer, Founding Principal, Arc Capital Development Chip Fesko, Principal, Chip Fesko & Associates Ian Fogarty, Educator, Riverview High School | MindShare National Video Challenge Award Winner Dr. GuyTetrault, Award Winning Sun West School Division, Director & CEO  (Retired) Michael Furdyk, Co-Founder, TakingItGlobal Dr. Eric Hamilton, Associate Dean of Education, Pepperdine University, Graduate School of Education and Psychology Maxim Jean-Louis, CEO, Contact North/Contact Nord, Gary Kern, Principal, St. George’s School Dr. Susanne Lajoie, Professor, Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University David Marsi, Senior Manager Training Initiatives, ScotiaMcLeod Mirella Rossi, Superintendent of Education, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board Sandra Chow, Award Winning Teacher, Toronto District School Board (On Leave serving as a Director of Technology & Instruction at a School in China Ron Sedran, MD, Equity Capital Markets, Canaccord Adams About The MindShare Learning Report™   Canada’s Learning & Technology eMagazine. Our mission is to provide insight and inspiration to K12 and Post-Secondary education and industry leaders by sharing the latest trends and innovative best practices and success stories in the Canadian education market space and beyond. Editorial content for the monthly issue is due the third week of each month. Please forward your news releases as web links to info@mindsharelearning.com Advertising opportunities are available, please contact, robert@mindsharelearning.com Consulting opportunities are available, please contact: robert@mindsharelearning.com Annual subscriptions to the MindShare Learning Report can be purchased at $99 CDN About MindShare Learning MindShare Learning is Canada’s leading EdTech strategy, news and events media company. We counsel education and technology leaders in understanding the emerging needs of learners to succeed in the 21st Century global knowledge-based digital economy.   Our Valued Clients and Partners

This message was sent to mkbarbour@gmail.com by robert@mindsharelearning.com Erin Mills Town Centre Shopping Mall, Unit I3 5100 Erin Mills Parkway Mississauga, ON L5M 4Z5

Virtual Schooling In The News

Beginning with Education Dive.

SPONSORED CONTENT BY K12 DIVE’S STUDIOID

Leverage digital learning in the back-to-school transition

As in person-learning returns, most schools say they will continue to use digital learning. Learn how educators are ensuring a smooth back-to-school transition in this webinar.

Next, the EdSource Today.

Teachers report spring school reopenings were exhausting and unproductive By John Fensterwald, EdSource Many of the 136 veteran California teachers surveyed found hybrid learning was enervating, and districts didn’t seek advice on reopening. Read more

Also, EdClips.

 

Moving on to the various items from Education Week.

ANALYST’S VIEW Inside Khan Academy’s Expansion Into School Districts and Online Tutoring Khan Academy educational videos have long been a staple of student learning away from school, but it is now ramping up its efforts to work directly with school systems. Read More

ED-TECH POLICY,OPINION Why Are We Turning Our Backs on Remote Learning? Neither the detractors nor defenders of remote learning are fully in the right, argues one superintendent. Read More

CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY How K-12 Schools Tamed Silicon Valley Forget disruption. Ed-tech startups Clever and Nearpod just sold for a combined $1 billion because they solved schools’ everyday problems. Read More

CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY,OPINION ‘My Online Learning Experience as a Student Is Not So Good’ High school students reveal what they like and don’t like about remote learning, and whether they prefer it.

Read More

STUDENT WELL-BEING,VIDEO Where Friendship Happens When School Goes Online With school online and social interactions limited, senior Nate Bone found a new group of friends through his school’s cross country team.

Read More

SCHOOL & DISTRICT MANAGEMENT,FROM OUR RESEARCH CENTER To Offer Remote Learning in the Fall or Not? Schools Are Split An EdWeek Research Center survey shows that nearly 4 of every 10 educators say their schools will not offer any remote instruction options.

Read More

Next, the different newsletters from eSchool News.

7 fun ISTE 2021 sessions to add to your schedule
ISTE 2021 is virtual, but its sessions are no less compelling–which ones will you attend?

Parents want post-pandemic online learning options
Online learning was an adjustment for everyone, but now, parents say they’d like to keep it as a learning choice moving forward.

Simply Smarter education
Today’s tech-savvy students and teachers expect to be able to communicate in collaborative environments. To encourage student engagement, classrooms and libraries need technology that can keep up. Sharp can help improve efficiencies, encourage learning from anywhere and optimize workflow and document processes with award winning printers and copiers, collaboration and digital displays, managed print services, managed IT services and more.

Securly Playbook: 5 Strategies for Hybrid Learning Success
Discover five foundational strategies districts should employ when developing their hybrid learning initiatives, complete with concrete steps administrators can take today to ensure sustainable hybrid learning success tomorrow, and beyond.

4 things we need to realize about digital equity
The pandemic moved digital equity concerns to the forefront–here’s how to support robust access to online learning resources.

Four Keys to Making Hybrid Learning Work
To support safe and socially distanced learning during the pandemic, many schools have created hybrid learning environments that combine face-to-face and online instruction. In most of these scenarios, the students who are learning remotely are taking part in live class sessions with their peers through video conferencing.

Using Federal Funding to Support Student Success
The federal government set aside billions of dollars to help K-12 schools implement upgraded technology for improving outcomes and providing in-person and virtual services. Our latest white paper outlines how schools are using federal funding and technology to increase student connection and success.

Cheers and questions as some states and big school districts remove virtual learning option for fall
As learning moves forward after COVID, districts are faced with tough decisions around virtual learning options.

Also, the variety of mailings from ASCD.

Teacher: Pandemic year has not been “lost”

(Pixabay)

This past school year of remote instruction should not be referred to as “lost,” says Nancy Yeh, a high-school math and English-as-a-new-language teacher in New York City. In this interview, Yeh says there have been successes, and her students are learning as much remotely as they would have during in-person lessons.

Full Story: Chalkbeat/New York (6/11)

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What districts are doing to find “missing” students

(Zuzana Gogova/Getty Images)

Some school district officials say they are knocking on doors, offering food pantries and engaging in other outreach to address high rates of absenteeism among students who have disconnected from school during remote instruction. Corey Harris, chief of schools for Boston Public Schools, estimates that as many as 1,300 of the district’s approximately 51,000 students are unaccounted for because they have not logged into virtual school or returned to in-person learning.

Full Story: ABC News (6/11)

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Questions to explore when retaining online elements

(Pixabay)

Many school districts plan to continue with some of the various online-learning approaches they have used during the pandemic, Lee Wilson, a senior adviser with virtual classroom company Vedamo, writes in this commentary. Wilson offers questions for districts to explore to refine longer-term decisions about what is best for each district in terms of format, tech choices and future innovation.

Full Story: T.H.E. Journal (6/9)

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Teachers become researchers on teaching, learning

(Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)

Teacher-led A/B tests are among the approaches being used to help a group of teachers experiment, gather data and identify the most successful teaching and learning approaches for their students. Illinois teacher Krystal Clifton, who studied in-person teaching versus Zoom teaching versus self-paced instruction, is among 30 US teachers participating in the Learning Agency Lab’s Teacher Run Experiment Network, which is modeled after Maine middle-school math teacher Bill Hinkley’s A/B homework experiment.

Full Story: The Hechinger Report (6/14)

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Kan. “curriculum corridor” built around technology

(Pixabay)

Recent Kansas State Board of Education approval allowing computer science to fulfill one of a student’s core requirements in math or science rounds out an existing “curriculum corridor” of classes in programming, application design and robotics. Such offerings will help students find a home in the evolving job market and boost the state’s technical workforce, says board member Scott Rothschild.

Full Story: St. Joseph News-Press (Mo.) (tiered subscription model) (6/14)

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Will online AP classes offer options to rural students?

(Pixabay)

The adoption of virtual education during the pandemic has put technology in place that allows rural Massachusetts schools to offer virtual Advanced Placement classes when in-person classes are considered too small. About 30 students from Athol High School plan to take the mixed asynchronous-live AP classes, says Principal David King, who says he worries that online classes will be lacking compared with the in-person experience.

Full Story: WBUR-FM (Boston) (6/15)

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Hybrid colleges form collaborative coalition

(Pixabay)

The newly formed Hybrid College Network is a collaborative coalition of online and nonprofits that offer courses in unconventional spaces designed to make higher education more accessible. The schools and nonprofits that provide supportive services follow competency-based, online degree programs aimed at providing a lower-cost streamlined experience.

Full Story: EdSurge (6/14)

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Museum’s online field trips offer real science learning

Kelly (Bill Ingalls/NASA/Getty Images)

The Natural History Museum of Utah offers a virtual field trip program for middle-school students that takes a deep dive into real science. Madlyn Larson, director of education initiatives at the facility, says the program has digitized items from the museum’s collection and offers opportunities for students to engage in real-world research and have live talks with scientists and guests, including astronaut Scott Kelly.

Full Story: The Hechinger Report (6/17)

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Report: Closing digital divide could bolster economy

(Pixabay)

Improving connectivity for students can benefit the global economy, according to an Economist Intelligence Unit report. Researchers found that better connectivity — and improved learning outcomes for students — leads to socioeconomic gains.

Full Story: T.H.E. Journal (6/17)

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WhatsApp text group is lifeline for one school community

In a Brooklyn, N.Y., neighborhood hard hit by the coronavirus, the Parent Teacher Collaborative used WhatsApp to create a group chat that acted as a lifeline. The messaging app was used to post information about online classes and logins; details about how to access food and other resources; and support for parents and families who encountered technical issues.

Full Story: Chalkbeat/New York (6/11)

Lawmakers propose 5 bills to limit tech giants’ power

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced five bills that would significantly lessen the influence and independence of the major tech companies by preventing them from covertly promoting their own products on their platforms, limiting their ability to buy up smaller rivals and giving customers greater access and control over their personal data. If passed, the bills would represent the largest overhaul of monopolies law in decades.

Full Story: BBC (free registration) (6/12),  The New York Times (6/14),  Financial Times (subscription required) (6/11)

District’s device buy-back program cuts costs

The New Albany School District in Mississippi has established a device buy-back program to help make its one-to-one device program sustainable long term, writes Robert Garrett, the district’s director of technology and innovation. In this blog post, Garrett shares how the approach helped reduce device costs by a third and offers tips for other districts interested in adopting a similar program.

Full Story: SmartBrief/Education (6/15)

Online art community gives students purpose

Teachers can use education technology to create an online space where students can share artwork as well as give and receive feedback, writes art teacher Daria Sur. In this article, Sur describes how the online space she created and the ability for students to express themselves and learn from each other “filled their art practice with purpose.”

Full Story: Edutopia (6/15)

Website to monitor use of virtual proctoring

A new website set up by Fight for the Future will monitor which colleges and universities use virtual proctoring software this fall. The software uses students’ webcams and tracks body movements to determine if a student is cheating, a controversial practice that has backfired when students challenged accusations of cheating.

Full Story: The Verge (6/16)

Back to the regular Google News alert for virtual school.

Cy-Fair ISD nixes plans for 2021-22 virtual school; find low-cost Houston-area summer events; and …

Community Impact Newspaper

Read the most popular Houston-area news from the last week. Cy-Fair Cy-Fair ISD no longer planning to offer virtual school in 2021-22. The Texas …

Some Catholic schools will be permanently “virtual”

Aleteia EN

The Diocese of Raleigh Virtual School will have classes taught by Catholic teachers from across the country. Two of the new students at the school this …

West Ottawa Schools Announce Changes, Additions for Upcoming Academic Year

WHTC News

Last month, the West Ottawa Board of Education approved the establishment of the West Ottawa Virtual Academy, a new K-12 full-time virtual school …

Alexander City Virtual Academy to go from pandemic fix to selective high school alternative

The Alexander City Outlook

“We’ll have some virtual school element. It will fall back under the high school principal but we will extend it to evening class opportunities,” Alex City …

‘We’re forever changed’: Schools share challenges and lessons from the pandemic

The Philadelphia Inquirer

While one of McConnell’s twin daughters — both seventh graders in Tredyffrin/Easttown — flourished in virtual school, the other struggled. “Mentally …

Germantown Municipal School District announces two new principals

WATN – Local 24

As the first stand-alone virtual school in GMSD, GOAL will provide an additional choice for learning for families in Germantown. Dr. Fisher began her …

‘A Year Full of Emotions.’ What Kids Learned From the COVID-19 Pandemic

TIME

Everything around me has gone virtual since: virtual school, virtual playdates, and even virtual birthday parties! This “virtual” world made me feel …

Adams 14 will have no online option for elementary students next year and limited online spots for …

Chalkbeat Colorado

… a one-year program for online learning, in addition to its existing virtual school which is mostly for students able to do more independent learning.

TOPS program at Huntsville ISD experiences record growth during pandemic

Huntsville Item

… Huntsville Independent School District and the Texas Virtual School Network, specializing in remote learning with certified state licensed teachers.

Brittany Glisson graduated from St. Gerard 19 years ago. Now she’s the executive director

St. Augustine Record

She married Michael, the father of her daughter, Shelby, who graduated from the Florida Virtual School last week. Heather and Michael Roy stand with …

Junior high students from Cheyenne Virtual School make honor roll

Wyoming Tribune

CHEYENNE – The following junior high students from the Cheyenne Virtual School were named to the honor roll for the first semester of the 2021-22 …

Sudbury briefs: Peer support for older adults; virtual open house; CampMed next month

The Sudbury Star

Launched in September 2020, this new virtual school operates like a regular school. Since its opening, the Academie virtuelle has welcomed …

Carolyn Hax: A pandemic bubble threatens to pop over disagreement on covid disclosure

The Washington Post

After a year of virtual school, we let them go back to the building in April. They play nearly exclusively with a child around the corner from us, and her …

Halifax County families have until Wednesday to decide if they want online learning next year

YourGV.com

… Public School families have until Wednesday to decide if they’d like their student to participate in virtual school next year or face-to-face learning.

‘Perseverance’ was the theme of a COVID-19 school year for local families

Longview Daily News

They liked the fully virtual school, just as they have all year, and said they were interested in trying it for another year, but were taking the summer to …

Education after COVID: Teach differently

New York Daily News

Florida Virtual School, an accredited online tuition-free school founded in 1997, employs certified teachers and works nationwide with public, private, …

AT YOUR SERVICE: Langley trustees applaud positives found amid pandemic

BCLocalNews

For our families who couldn’t return, the district designed an entire virtual school with more than 700 students enrolled. Am I impressed? Absolutely but …

Opinion: Tom Ahart’s contempt for authority comes at a cost, to the children of Des Moines and their …

desmoinesregister.com

Virtual school bumped too many kids off track and out of touch with valued teachers, coaches, and friends. There is nothing noble in that.

Callers comment on the teaching of US history, panhandling, school district changes and more

Gainesville Sun

School Board of Alachua County, if you’re wanting to keep the money in the district, start your own little FLVS (Florida Virtual School) — which is a joke …

Local students among Ohio Connections Academy’s Class of 2021

Portsmouth Daily Times

The Class of 2021 is the school’s 13th graduating class for the high-quality, tuition-free virtual school for students in grades K–12. More than a …

Virtual School Opens a Divide That US Parents Fill With Fury

BNN

Virtual School Opens a Divide That U.S. Parents Fill With Fury … (Bloomberg) — From the moment that Covid forced the closure of U.S. schools, warnings …

Virtual School Post Pandemic? It’s An Appealing Option For Many Black, Latino And Asian Families

wgbh.org

Boston mother of three LaToya Gayle says she would consider sending her teenage son to a fully-virtual school if one opens in Boston. Meredith …

‘It was a godsend’: Lack of virtual options could drive some Austin area students away from …

Austin American-Statesman

Virtual learning options. Gallardo has applied to enroll Raymond in Texas Connections Academy, a Houston-based public virtual school open to …

Baljeet Oberoi shares their success mantra in handling virtual school experience

The Hans India

Baljeet Oberoi shares their success mantra in handling virtual school experience. ADVERTISEMENTS. Hans News Service | 14 Jun 2021 10:48 PM …

Check out this year’s virtual end-of-year exhibitions from architecture students across the country

The Architect’s Newspaper

Highlighting the work that graduating students completed during a year of virtual school, the show includes biographical information for each.

TSSAA will allow virtual students in Rutherford County to play sports at zoned schools

WZTV

(WZTV) — The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association has voted to allow students at Rutherford County Virtual School to play sports, leaders …

More than half of students registered for Henrico Virtual Academy live in Fairfield, Varina districts

Henrico Citizen

… to mind when people think of a good candidate for virtual school, because she has multiple disabilities. There are more support needs involved.

Trigg School Board Approves Teacher Training Program, New Virtual Learning Option

wkdzradio.com

The program will replace the FuelEd A+ program that is no longer being offered and is used for students participating in virtual school. The program …

OSSTF District 9 President Speaks Out Against Hybrid Learning Model

AM800 (iHeartRadio)

On Friday, the board announced “elementary students who choose a remote learning option will participate in the elementary virtual school while …

Three Powerful Check-In Activities To Jump-Start Your Next Virtual Meeting

Forbes

… as I tried to finish up a big project and support my kid in virtual school, but the sun came out on Thursday after getting great feedback from the client.

Powell’s virtual school to take students from all grade levels

Powell Tribune

In a change, a new virtual school being launched by Park County School District 1 will welcome students in all grades. District leaders initially planned …

iSchool to continue to offer public virtual school option

The Cross Timbers Gazette

iSchool Virtual Academy is managed by ResponsiveEd and approved to provide virtual instruction as part of the TEA’s Texas Virtual School Network, …

Clayton County offering virtual school sign ups

Atlanta Journal Constitution

Clayton County Schools has reopened the opportunity to sign up for virtual learning for the 2021-2022 academic year. Students interested in the south …

Virtual school is on hold for districts in Montgomery County

Houston Chronicle

But as legislation that would provide state funding for virtual school failed to pass the state Legislature this year, districts that had been preparing for an …

French Catholic board to host virtual open house

SooToday

Launched in September 2020, this new virtual school operates like a regular school but is offered in a virtual mode. Since its opening, the Académie …

‘It’s been tough’: Florida migrant student struggled to connect during virtual school

Naples Daily News

‘It’s been tough’: Florida migrant student struggled to connect during virtual school. Plant City migrant student Brandon Garcia, 13, was looking forward …

Virtual learning is the new fault line in education: It’s either on the way out or on the rise

The Washington Post

Deanna Nye is not ready to send her children back into classrooms come fall, even though she knows the worst of the pandemic may be over.

Everett Schools Offering Virtual School Option For K – 8 This Fall

My Everett News

To serve those families, we are launching Everett Virtual Academy, a virtual school for grades K – 8. Everett Virtual Academy (EVA) is a 100% remote …

Deadline looms to enroll students for virtual learning in St. Lucie County

WPEC

If your child goes to school in St. Lucie County, time is ticking if you wish to enroll your child in virtual school. Tuesday is the last day to enroll your kids …

I-SS Board approves virtual academy

Mooresville Tribune

Hinson told the board the virtual school will only serve students that will take 100% of instruction online. Elementary students will be served through …

Virtual School – the mobility industry’s best kept secret

Re:locate Magazine

Virtual School – the mobility industry’s best kept secret. Discover why online schooling is proving to be a real solution for relocating families, employers …

Some Bartlesville students opt to stay with virtual school this fall

Examiner Enterprise

Tony Leeson, Jr., 12, flourished in virtual school and plans to remain. After getting a taste of virtual learning last year, some students have decided to …

Wisconsin virtual school allows teenager to form LGBTQ+ club after ACLU intervention

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Wren Prahl, a student at iForward virtual school, has been trying to form a. After a months-long battle, a sixth grader at an online-only Wisconsin school …

Hybrid learning model begins next school year for WCDSB secondary students

KitchenerToday.com

The report added from November through May for the current school year, 3,890 students learned virtually at the virtual school called St. Isidore, and …

Sarasota County Schools provide virtual options for 2021-22 school year

WWSB

Full time virtual school is not equivalent to remote learning. In compliance with state statute 1002.45, SVS FT is a free public online school that serves K- …

I Taught Online School This Year. It Was a Disgrace.

The New York Times

Even under optimal conditions, virtual school meant flattening the collaborative magic of the classroom into little more than an instructional video.

Virtual Learning Remains An Option in SCSD No. 1 for 2021-2022

SweetwaterNOW.com

1 K-12 Virtual School will provide families with a tuition free opportunity for students to continue learning in the same capacity they did throughout the …

No virtual classes or masks for vaccinated expected this fall at Carmel Clay Schools

Current in Carmel

… school building every day, while middle and high school students followed a hybrid schedule that rotated between in person and virtual school days.

Conroe ISD to receive total of $64.7M in federal emergency relief funds; virtual school on hold

Community Impact Newspaper

In addition, Hines said since virtual schooling did not make it to the state legislative session, CISD families with students enrolled in its planned virtual …

‘Mom needs help. I’m going to work.’ The pandemic’s toll on the education of Florida’s migrant …

Naples Daily News

Students juggled virtual school with work, sometimes alongside their parents in fields. Some fell behind as they fought spotty internet connections.

Public Virtual School Program Alive and Well in Texas

GlobeNewswire

Texas, June 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TEXAS, Jun 14, 2021 — iSchool Virtual Academy (iSVA) will offer their public virtual school option in …

Boston Scraps Plan To Open Virtual School This Fall

wgbh.org

Boston Public Schools superintendent Brenda Cassellius said opening a virtual school in the fall is not feasible at this time. File photo. Pat Greenhouse/ …

Omaha Virtual School Applications Reopen

Omaha Public Schools

Omaha Virtual School has reopened applications for the upcoming school year. Our district is adding space for 400 new students in the program for …

USD 305 announces info sessions about new virtual school

Salina Post

USD 305 announces info sessions about new virtual school. Posted Jun 17, 2021 11:36 AM. USD 305 is offering information sessions about its new …

HISD, 29 other districts ask Abbott to add virtual schools funding bill to special session

Houston Chronicle

Thirty school districts, including Houston ISD, and two associations signed a letter to urge Gov. Greg Abbott to add legislation funding virtual learning …

Is the online school over after COVID?These states hold virtual options

Texas News Today

The state is allowed to spend money on virtual school education if the school believes it is the best way to help the recovery of certain children.

Ending Virtual-School Oppression: Black Students Disproportionately Punished for Harmless …

Sacramento Observer

Ending Virtual-School Oppression: Black Students Disproportionately Punished for Harmless Behavior at Home During Zoom Classes. by Trice Edney …

The Class of 2021

Toronto Life

I opted to attend virtual school to keep my family safe, but it was a big adjustment. There were new teachers and a new curriculum. I tried to keep in touch …

Thousands of Lee County students attending summer school this year

Wink News

It also wants to remind parents that it will not be offering Lee Home Connect anymore, so anybody that wishes to enroll their child in virtual school for …

Derby schools to return fully in person next school year

The Derby Informer

Instead, a limited number of students will be able to attend third-party, virtual school programs, such as Accelus, which the district has allowed for …

Boston Public Schools forgo plans for a virtual school this fall

Boston.com

“It’s just too late in the year to start up a full K-12 virtual school,” Cassellius said. “If we could have gotten the green light at the beginning of June when …

Charlottesville approves limited, application-based virtual school option

The Daily Progress

Charlottesville approves limited, application-based virtual school option … The Charlottesville School Board approved the virtual learning plan at its June …

Department of Education study suggests virtual school negatively impacted some learning

News 12 Bronx

Department of Education study suggests virtual school negatively impacted some learning. News 12 Staff. Jun 17, 2021, 7:32pm. Updated on: Jun 17, …

Ending Virtual-School Oppression: Black Students Disproportionately Punished for Harmless …

Seattle Medium

Ending Virtual-School Oppression: Black Students Disproportionately Punished for Harmless Behavior At Home During Zoom Classes. June 18, 2021.

WATCH: Brevard Virtual School Principal Heather Price Details the Options and Flexibility of Virtual …

SpaceCoastDaily.com

WATCH: Are you considering virtual education for your student? Brevard Public Schools has an option for you. Meet BPS Principal of Brevard Virtual …

Austin ISD requires students to return to campus in August

Austin American-Statesman

Some juniors and seniors in danger of dropping out do finish school through its virtual school program. Opting for virtual learning:’It was a godsend’: …

‘I am greatly disappointed’: School board draws criticism for considering hybrid model

yorkregion.com

… administrative level to rule out separate e-learning or virtual school options,” said Kadri, who is going to be the official York president with OSSTF.

Change and the critical role of HR professionals

CUNA News

“CUNA HR Compliance Certification Virtual School with CUDoctor, being held on August 3^rd and 5^th, will address the continuing changes in human …

Classmate inspires young fundraisers at Port Lambton school

Sarnia Observer

Sacred Heart was also helped by a more than $1,000 contribution from the local board’s virtual school. “They rallied behind us,” Mellow said

Cornerstone director of education reflects on a difficult school year, which is coming to a close

Estevan Mercury

“There was a large increase in Cyber Stone virtual school,” said Little. Cyber Stone expanded to include Kindergarten to Grade 12 and as a result, led …

Finally, the Google News alert for cyber school.

Conneaut sets town hall meeting for Aug. 4

Meadville Tribune

Updates on COVID-19 news as it relates to the schools and an overview of the school district’s cyber school program will also be given.

No tax increase in proposed Harrisburg School District budget

pennlive.com

And there are still challenges ahead, Celmer noted, pointing out that revenue growth is stagnant and cyber school costs are continuing to escalate.

Indiana schools to fully reopen in fall

Indiana Gazette

The administration was directed to redesign the IDEAL cyber school program to incorporate “a select few” core synchronous courses with the rest of …

The Class of COVID-19: Pleasant Valley student-athlete grows baseball skills, his own business

Pocono Record

Asynchronous cyber school could’ve been an opportunity to slack off. Instead, Ratti’s work ethic drove him to continue practicing for his senior season.

The Class of COVID-19: Notre Dame East Stroudsburg softball player turns dream to reality

Pocono Record

… the chaotic transition to online classes was difficult, but Pansy said after settling into it, cyber school allowed her the freedom to control her schedule.

Farrell school board hold line on taxes for 3rd consecutive year

Sharonherald

He said with the pandemic, more students have converted to cyber school. The district is charged tuition for every student who goes to a cyber/charter …

Boyertown OKs $130M budget that raises taxes 3 percent

The Mercury

… or “fund balance,” although as $1.2 million of that may be recovered under plans to launch a district cyber school that could lure back as many as 80 …

Grad found virtual learning environment a rewarding experience

Gettysburg Times

I’m a cyber school alumna of Commonwealth Charter Academy, so online learning has always felt normal to me. When I began at HACC in 2019 as a …

Pa. lawmakers continue to debate over ‘meaningful’ charter reform

Pennsylvania Capital-Star

The change established a flat-tiered reduction to cyber school tuition payments and removed language establishing a separate public charter school …

Community saddened by loss of Manchester Playground Program over funding issues

ABC27

“With the isolation and the cyber school, the quarantining. If there was ever a year that these kids need something, even the parents need something, ..

Local gymnast on her way to Olympic trials

WHP Harrisburg

She’s put in the work necessary to be great. In the Fall, she trains for 6 and a half hours a day, then work, and cyber school. The work load is a little …

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Continuing blended learning? Keep these 9 steps in mind for success.

As I say each week…  From the neo-liberal, educational privatizers masquerading as an academic body – so the term research here is used VERY loosely (as none of this actually represents methodologically sound, reliable, valid, or empirical research in any real way).

Check out this week’s highlights from the Christensen Institute.

Christensen Institute · 92 Hayden Avenue · Lexington, MA 02421 · USA