MAY 2024 Updates from Michigan Virtual

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This May, we’re excited to enhance your educational journey with new opportunities. Dive into our Competency-Based Algebra 1 Pilot Program, explore over 150 summer courses, and get a head start with early enrollment for fall. Discover unique courses on Abbott Elementary, Holocaust education, and AI’s impact in education. Administrators, our consulting services offer strategic insights to help you lead effectively.   Join us as we continue to transform learning experiences, providing flexible, high-quality education across Michigan. Let’s make this a summer of growth and learning!

STUDENT LEARNING SERVICES

Unlock Your Student Summer Potential Are you ready to embark on a journey of summer learning? We offer over 150 courses that cover a wide range of subjects, from English Language Arts to Science courses. Our courses are designed to be flexible and self-paced, and are delivered by certified Michigan teachers to ensure a high-quality learning experience. Learn More

Secure Your Students’ Fall Success with Early Enrollment Ensure your success for the upcoming school year by enrolling early in Michigan Virtual’s Fall program. With over 200 certified courses, including AP classes and a wide range of elective options, you can get a head start on your academic plans. Plan ahead and enroll for the Fall program today. Learn More

Explore our new Competency-Based (CBE) Algebra 1 Pilot Tailored for high school credit, this innovative course focuses on mastery and personalized learning, aligning with Michigan’s educational standards. Schools can benefit from up to 60 free seats and flexible assessment opportunities, enhancing math education effectively. Join us in advancing your curriculum with this dynamic approach!  Learn More

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SERVICES

Abbott Elementary Dive into the world of Abbott Elementary in a unique study that combines the fun of a book club with the insights of your favorite TV show. Engage in thought-provoking discussions, connect episodes with real classroom experiences, and share innovative teaching strategies Learn More

Online Teaching and Learning: Course Content Are you as confident in creating quality online experiences as you are in engaging students in person? This course will guide you through creating engaging online experiences by mastering content validation, alignment with assessments and objectives, and essential content management skills. Learn More

Remembering the Holocaust In this course, we’ll explore why oral testimony and primary source artifacts are crucial when teaching about the Holocaust. You’ll also explore different Holocaust resources, determine which ones work best for your classroom, and learn how to use them to help students really connect with history. Learn More

Michigan Virtual LEARNING RESEARCH INSTITUTE (MVLRI)

Understanding Educator Roles: AI Support and Implications Explore AI’s transformative impact on education. From streamlining administrative tasks to enhancing student assessment, you can learn how AI empowers educators to optimize teaching and support student learning. Learn More

Ignite Your EdTech Journey: Register for the Innovation BootCamp! Registration is open and completely FREE for the Michigan Virtual EdTech Innovation Bootcamp. Refine your EdTech idea, earn 20 SCECH credits, and gear up for our upcoming Pitch Contest. Don’t miss this opportunity to shape the future of education! Learn More

Snap Up Your Spot: Enroll Your Child in Smartphone Photography Capture stunning moments with our new Smartphone Photography enrichment course. Learn photography basics, master composition, and explore special effects–all using your phone’s camera. Enroll your child in this asynchronous micro-course for just $15! Learn More

CONSULTING SERVICES

Are you exploring ways to align your digital learning initiatives with the broader goals and visions of your school community? A compelling “why” behind your initiatives can drive engagement and lead to sustainable, impactful changes. Our consulting team would love to help you brainstorm a path forward with transformational leaders who’ve been in your shoes! Learn more about how we can help!

Michigan Virtual, 920 Municipal Way, Lansing, Michigan 48917

Tomorrow’s News Today: Speak Up Summer Planning Series

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May 8, 2024

preparing students of today to be innovators, leaders, and engaged citizens of tomorrow

Listening to the perspectives and needs of educators fosters a supportive and effective learning environment. Let’s make Teacher Appreciation Week an opportunity to listen to the voices of teachers. This is just one of the ways that we strive to make the Speak Up Survey an invaluable tool for school and district leaders. (Keep reading for our list of 7 Ways to Leverage Your Educators’ Data)

are you an educator? We would love to include your voice in our national story!

By participating in Speak Up, you contribute to a nationwide conversation on the challenges and opportunities facing educators today. Your feedback helps policymakers, administrators, and educational leaders understand the needs of teachers like you, enabling them to make informed decisions that benefit students and educators alike. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to improving education! Click here to preview the Educator Survey Please know that all your responses are secure and kept confidential.

take the survey!

are you a school or district leader?

Take just 2 minutes to set up your own Teacher Speak Up efforts, as we have simplified sharing Speak Up with your educators at the district level: Share the Speak Up Educator Survey link with your teachers: https://projecttomorrow.questionpro.com/SUEducator Have some fun with it and designate a Teacher Speak Up Day for your district! Bonus: use these promotional resources to share your Teacher Speak Up efforts with your educators: Promoting the Educator Speak Up Survey Let us know who to send the data to and begin using your district-level data to kickoff your summer planning efforts! If you would like school-level data, please contact us to receive customized survey links.

how to use your educator Speak Up data at the end of the school year

check out our blog post for details and question alignment

partner spotlight

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, our partner spotlight goes to the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA), a member-based organization devoted to advancing technology in education. For Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6-10, educators worldwide can become TCEA members for absolutely FREE!  So, what do you get when you sign up? An Online Community that offers answers, idea exchanges, and support 30-minute weekly Lunch and Learns on the latest tools, trends, research, and strategies A Resource Library with three years of recorded learning on a variety of topics A forever-free TCEA membership Learn more about becoming a TCEA member for FREE this week

Thank you from the Project Tomorrow team! Julie, Michelle, Ian, Sam, Irene, & David

Copyright (C) 2024 Project Tomorrow. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in through interaction on our website or at an event. Our mailing address is: Project Tomorrow 3943 Irvine Blvd # 416 Irvine, CA 92602-2400

May 2024 EdTech Catalyst: Elevating Education Innovation in Michigan!

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A Note from Michigan Virtual As the school year wraps up, we’re gearing up for our 2024 EdTech Catalyst programming! If you’re part of Michigan’s education community with an innovative idea or new business to enhance teaching or learning, here’s what you need to know.   Our EdTech Innovation Bootcamp is a live Zoom event taking place from June 17 – 20, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. daily. It’s designed to help you develop your EdTech idea and deepen your understanding of education technology innovation and entrepreneurship. Participation in the Bootcamp is strongly encouraged for those planning to enter the Michigan Virtual EdTech Pitch Contest, although it’s not mandatory if you’re attending solely for the Bootcamp.   The EdTech Pitch Contest has two rounds. For the first round, submit your pitch deck and video by July 7, 2024. Five finalists will then present their pitches live on Zoom on July 18, 2024. Save the dates to participate or watch the final presentations!   For all event details and registration links for the Bootcamp, visit our EdTech Catalyst page.   Best, Scott Watkins Senior Director, Business Strategy

Get Innovative!  Have an innovative idea that you want to explore, grow, and share? Here are some opportunities and resources if you’re ready to launch!   EdTech Shark Tanks Are you an EdTech entrepreneur with a growing startup? If so, you might be ready for the 2024 EdTech Week Shark Tanks! The event is held in New York City in October, but participation applications are due June 15th.  Learn more on their website!   ASU + GSV Summit The 2024 ASU + GSV Summit brought together leaders in education, technology, and business over 4 days in mid-April to discuss and promote innovation and investment in the education sector. Michigan Virtual, with generous support from GSV, hosted a group of Michigan educators, including our 2023 EdTech pitch winners, at the conference, ensuring the voice of Michigan educators plays a role in shaping the future of education.   If you couldn’t attend but are interested in the conference, you can see many of the main sessions online in the GSV Video Library.

AI Lab Spotlight The team from the AI Lab at Michigan Virtual has stayed quite busy in the past month, as the topic of AI in education is still near the top of many discussions among educators and students. AI Literacy Day Michigan Virtual was honored to participate in the first National AI Literacy Day by hosting a webinar featuring a conversation with their AI Strategist, Justin Bruno, and sharing highlights of some of the work that Michigan Virtual has been doing with districts around the state. The team also continued its work with dozens of organizations to plan for professional learning and strategy implementation around the topic of AI in the 2024-25 school year. Many schools are forming task forces or committees to develop policy, deliver professional learning to staff, and engage in critical conversations with students about the role that AI will play in their lives and careers. Khanmigo Pilot The AI Lab is also concluding the first semester of its pilot of Khanmigo from Khan Academy. Twenty teachers and more than 650 students across 13 Michigan school districts participated in a pilot to learn how the use of this AI tutor might support educators and learners in Algebra 1 courses. Participants noted the benefits of having accurate, on-demand support and an avenue for students to have guided and guarded ways to leverage the power of generative AI. For more resources and updates on the AI Lab, visit our website.

Ready? Set? Pitch!  Whether you have a groundbreaking idea or want to witness the next big thing, the Michigan Virtual Pitch Contest is the place to be. Register for our Edtech Innovation Bootcamp (June 17-20) to help you prepare your pitch! Visit our event website for full information on the Bootcamp and the pitch contest.

Stay Connected Don’t miss out on the latest updates, insights, and opportunities Michigan Virtual has to offer. Follow us and stay connected with the Michigan innovation community using our socials link below.   Thank you for being a valued member of the Michigan Virtual community! Let’s continue to collaborate and shape the future of innovation together.   Did you miss our last newsletter? Read our April 2024 Issue

Michigan Virtual, 920 Municipal Way, Lansing, Michigan 48917

Term 2 inspiration…

An item for my Kiwi readers.

GCSN Upcoming Events and Workshops                                                     View this email in your browser Kia ora, Ka pū te ruha, ka hao te rangatahi  As an old net is cast aside, another is remade    Now that we are settling into Term 2 and the school year is well underway, we are starting to look ahead at what we can do to support you, your school and ākonga. This week is New Zealand Sign Language Week (6 – 12 May 2024), facilitated by Deaf Aotearoa. It is a great opportunity to learn more about the work they do, how to incorporate NZSL into your school or kura, and maybe even learn a few new signs. Learn more and access their resources here. This month we want to highlight the amazing projects created and facilitated by Wilj Dekkers that GCSN is proud to support in 2024. Alongside the Library Learn Team, Wilj has been working with ākonga from three Ōtautahi schools to prepare them for a Kāhui Ako robotics challenge. He is also facilitating events for the 2024 Ōtautahi Learning Days Festival, including AI for Educators, an opportunity for kaiako to learn how to use AI tools to empower themselves at work and elevate learning opportunities. Stay in the loop about what is happening at GCSN on Twitter, Facebook or via the GCSN website. Noho ora mai rā, The GCSN Team  Ōtautahi Learning Days 2024 In partnership with Wilj Dekkers, GCSN is excited to be offering a kaiako-focused learning opportunity for the 2024 Ōtautahi Learning Days festival: AI for Educators. Learn more and register for the session below! Hosted by Wilj Dekkers this workshop provides a hands-on exploration of what can be achieved when using AI tools to support kaiako. Whether developing resources or reducing workloads, we hope to inspire and empower kaiako to use generative AI to benefit ākonga. The workshop will be hosted in person with kaiako choosing between a morning (9-10am) or afternoon session (4-5pm). Sign up here! Kāhui Ako Robotics Success By Wilj Dekkers on behalf of the Greater Christchurch Schools’ Network Throughout Term 1 2024, the VexIQ Kāhui Ako Robotics programme, witnessed enthusiastic participation from students across three schools from Waimairi-Iri: Breens Intermediate, Wairarapa Cobham Intermediate, and Christ The King. As a GCSN funded project in collaboration with the Library Learn Team, kura had access to a trained facilitator and robotics kits for the duration of the term. Engaged Students, Inspired Minds The VexIQ Robotics programme captured the imaginations of students. Their passion for engineering, coding, and problem-solving was palpable as they delved into weekly challenges. Whether designing intricate mechanisms or fine-tuning their programming skills, these budding engineers embraced the opportunity to learn and create. The Kāhui Ako Challenge As the term unfolded, anticipation grew for the grand finale—the Kāhui Ako challenge. Bringing together students from all three schools, this friendly competition showcased their collective talent and teamwork. Here’s how it unfolded: Overall Combined Score: Christ The King emerged as the overall winner, demonstrating exceptional collaboration and strategic thinking. Their robot navigated the challenge course, Rise Above but more importantly, the team collaborated well with their partner teams. Engineering Excellence: Wairarapa Cobham Intermediate stood out in the engineering category. Their robot design was innovative, efficient, and elegantly executed. Judges praised their attention to detail and creative problem-solving. Skills Challenge: Breens Intermediate showcased their prowess in the skills challenge. Their drivers manoeuvred the robot with precision, scoring points and impressing everyone present. Their dedication to practise paid off. Acknowledgments A huge thank you to the GCSN, without their support, none of this would have been possible. Additionally, we appreciate the Library Learning Team for making VexIQ kits available to schools. These kits served as the building blocks of creativity, sparking curiosity and igniting a passion for robotics. Looking Ahead If you are part of a Canterbury Kāhui Ako and would like to have your schools involved, please do get in touch with wilj@wdekkers.nz or via the GCSN website. Each term, the programme will be offered to Kāhui Ako to inspire and support ākonga and kura on their STEM journeys. Stay tuned for more updates as our young engineers continue to explore, create, and inspire! COMING SOON! The Top of the Pods podcasting competition is coming back for another year! We are excited to be welcoming a new competition partner – Papanui Youth Development Trust (LOOP) whose podcasting expertise will be a welcome addition to the team alongside Plains FM and Christchurch City Libraries. Hear more about what’s to come and what South New Brighton School (the 2023 winners) think about their new podcasting setup here. Keep an eye out for further details about this year’s competition and how you can get involved in early June 2024! Stay in the loop here… Contact Us | Visit Our Website Copyright © 2023 Greater Christchurch Schools’ Network All rights reserved.

Greater Christchurch Schools Network · PO Box 945 · West End · Christchurch, Christchurch 8140 · New Zealand

AERA Highlights: 2024 Annual Meeting Draws More than 15,100 Attendees to Philadelphia, 2025 Annual Meeting Call for Submissions to Open Week of May 13, and More

An item from the folks at the American Educational Research Association that may be of interest to my academic readers.

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April 2024

AERA News 2024 Annual Meeting Draws More than 15,100 Attendees to Philadelphia The 2024 Annual Meeting held in Philadelphia on April 11–14 convened more than 15,100 scholars, policy leaders, and practitioners for four days of cutting-edge research, intellectual exchange, scholarly connection, and professional development. Read more 2025 AERA Annual Meeting Call for Submissions to Open Week of May 13; Submissions Close July 26 The 2025 AERA Annual Meeting call for submissions will open the week of May 13. Submissions are due July 26. The Annual Meeting theme—“Research, Remedy, and Repair: Toward Just Education Renewal”—“calls us to consider how we can work across disciplinary, epistemological, and methodological orientations to forge deeper connections in our field that can speak to the challenges we face in education and in our imperfect multiracial democracy.” AERA to Hold Virtual Event on Critical Approaches to Education Policy Research on May 23—Register Now On May 23, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., AERA will hold a virtual public forum, “Critical Approaches to Education Policy Research—Improving Researchers’ Capacity to Address Injustice.” Read more AERA Annual Meeting to Return to Five-Day Format and Offer New Submission Option in 2025 On February 2, AERA Council approved returning the AERA Annual Meeting back to a five-day format to help change the pace and climate of the meeting and expand opportunities for attendees. Read more New Report Finds Significant Gender and Racial Inequities in the Educational Measurement Profession Gender and racially based employment disparities, differences in perceptions of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and workplace discrimination remain significant issues in the field of educational measurement, according to a new report supported by the American Educational Research Association, the National Council on Measurement in Education, and Women in Measurement. Read more Nine AERA Members Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Nine AERA members, including AERA Immediate Past President Tyrone C. Howard, have been elected to the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Read more Want to advertise in AERA Highlights? Learn more   2024 Annual Meeting AERA 2023–2024 President Tyrone Howard Examines How to Dismantle Racial Injustice in Education To a packed ballroom, AERA 2023–2024 President Tyrone Howard gave his presidential address, “Examining Our Past to Imagine a Better Future: Recognition and Redress of Racial Injustice in Education,” on Saturday, April 13, at the 2024 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia. Read more Ladson-Billings and Delgado Bernal Give Major Annual Meeting Lectures Disrupting Assumptions and Sparking New Ideas The 2024 AERA Distinguished Lecture and the 2024 Wallace Foundation Distinguished Lecture were given during the Annual Meeting in Philadelphia by two prominent scholars. Read more AERA Award Winners Address Major Education Issues in High-Profile Lectures The 2024 Annual Meeting featured five thought-provoking lectures given by 2023 AERA Award recipients. Read more Annual Meeting Research and Science Policy Forum Features Conversations with Federal Agency Leaders and Discussion of Pressing Issues The 2024 AERA Annual Meeting featured 13 invited sessions in the Research and Science Policy Forum that included conversations with leaders of federal education research agencies and discussion on emerging education research issues and priorities. Read more AERA Holds Undergraduate Student Workshop at Annual Meeting AERA’s Undergraduate Student Education Research Training Workshop was held with 18 promising undergraduate students during the 2024 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia. Read more Youth Teams in Education Research Program Brings High School Students to Annual Meeting For a second consecutive year, competitively selected teams of high school students attended the AERA Annual Meeting to participate in the Youth Teams in Education Research Program. Read more   Publications News AERA Recognizes 2023 Outstanding Journal Reviewers AERA recognized 60 scholars as 2023 outstanding reviewers for AERA’s suite of journals at the AERA 2024 Annual Meeting. Read more AERA has recently released Inequality in Key Skills of City Youth: An International Comparison, an innovative book led by volume editors Stephen Lamb and Russell W. Rumberger. Visit our Online Store to purchase your copy now!   Research and Science Policy News As Congress Begins Work on FY 2025 Appropriations, AERA Highlights Priorities for Funding for Education Research and Statistics Following the release of President Biden’s FY 2025 budget request in March, Congress began working on appropriations in April. Read more   Voices from the Field Denise-Marie Ordway Shares 10 Ways Researchers Can Help Journalists Avoid Errors When Reporting on Academic Studies Denise-Marie Ordway has worked at The Journalist’s Resource at the Harvard Kennedy School since 2015, after working as an award-winning reporter for newspapers and radio stations in the U.S. and Central America, including the Orlando Sentinel and Philadelphia Inquirer. Read more   AERA Calls for Submissions AERA-NSF Research and Dissertation Grants Program–Deadline: May 30   AERA Publications Calls Call for Editors: American Educational Research Journal 2025–2027—Deadline: May 1   Call for Editors: AERA Open 2025–2027   Call for Editors: Review of Research in Education 2026, 2028   Beyond AERA Visit the Beyond AERA webpage for professional advancement opportunities from other organizations, including calls for papers and submissions, meetings and conferences, and other activities.   Call for Submissions for the XVIII World Congress of Comparative Education Societies, “Fostering Inclusive Ecologies of Knowledge: Education for Equitable and Sustainable Futures”—Deadline: May 15   In Memoriam AERA members who have recently passed away AERA 2015-16 President Jeannie Oakes, 81, died on April 25. She was Presidential Professor Emeritus in Educational Equity at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Senior Fellow in Residence at the Learning Policy Institute. She was an AERA Fellow and a recipient of AERA’s Early Career, Palmer O. Johnson Memorial, Outstanding Book, and Social Justice in Education Research Awards. Watch her 2016 Presidential Address here. A full remembrance will be published in the June 2024 issue of Highlights.   AERA in the News Recent media coverage of AERA and AERA-published research Report Uncovers Gender and Racial Inequities in Professional Educational Measurement Field The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, April 29 Many high school math teachers cobble together their own instructional materials from the internet and elsewhere, a survey finds The Hechinger Report, April 29 Why Black Teachers Matter NPQ, April 25 Make Math Instruction Better: 3 Tips on How From Researchers Education Week, April 25 Lifetime college returns differ significantly by major, research finds Higher Ed Dive, April 25 Universal school meal policies may help reduce childhood obesity K-12 Dive, April 23 What is Intersectionality and How Is It Related to Critical Race Theory? EdNews Virginia, April 22 Pride in the Halls Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, April 17 AI and Other Tech Can Power Better Testing. Can Teachers Use the New Tools? Education Week, April 17 What Teachers Should Know About Integrating Formative Assessment With Instruction Education Week, April 17 Racial and Gender Inequities Found in Field of Educational Measurement Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, April 16 This College Decision Season, Let’s Make ‘Undermatching’ a Thing of the Past U.S. News & World Report, April 16 Scholarship fund established in honor of Philly’s first Black female superintendent The Philadelphia Tribune, April 15 How These Teachers Build Curriculum ‘Beyond Black History’ Education Week, April 15 Don’t Defund Major Research Associations For Addressing Racism And DEI Forbes, April 14 Philly teachers and researchers are weighing the future of education — and how to get there equitably WHYY, April 12 Research Course on African Americans in Education Convenes Ahead of AERA Conference Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, April 10 When schools experimented with $10,000 pay hikes for teachers in hard-to-staff areas, the results were surprising The Hechinger Report, April 8 Which College Degree Can Earn Grads The Most Cash? On the Money, April 3 Austin Community College OKs free tuition program for eligible 2024 high school graduates Austin American-Statesman, April 2 More AERA in the News Share this mailing AERA Highlights is published by the American Educational Research Association monthly to inform members and others interested in education research about the latest news and developments in AERA and in the field. Editor: Felice J. Levine Managing Editors: Tony Pals and John Neikirk Contributors: Lori Diane Hill, James Hughes, Marla Koenigsknecht, Audrey Poe, Christy Talbot, George Wimberly, and Martha Yager

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