Key points:

• Online learning offers myriad benefits for students and teachers
• 5 ways to create a stellar online elementary learning program
• 5 components of a great hybrid learning program
• For more news on online learning, visit eSN’s Digital Learning hub

Online learning has limitless potential for students and teachers, offering the ability to learn from any location and at all times of the day. Let’s take a look at some of the latest online learning trends:

Is online learning really effective?

The short answer: Yes. Flexible, hybrid learning is key to student success. Schools should reimagine the learning processes and leverage in-person and hybrid learning to help students achieve the best possible results. The potential for innovation and student engagement are only scratching the surface when it comes to the advantages of online learning. Having many new, effective tools in educators’ toolboxes, it’s time to cast aside conventional processes and rethink the way we provide services to, and support, our students. Take the first steps toward this innovation.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of online learning?

A student’s motivation in school is a key driver of their academic success. Yet, the demanding nature of high school classes, mixed with a teenager’s natural craving for independence and individual identity, can stand in the way of that motivation. COVID-19 took a toll on student motivation, and 80 percent of educators are still feeling the effects. Following the rapid and sudden shift to online learning, parents and educators remain concerned about keeping online students motivated and engaged. In fact, challenges around online student engagement remain among the most-discussed disadvantages of online learning.  As we move past the pandemic and rethink the role of online education, it’s vital to education reform that teachers remain focused on fostering student motivation.

What are the challenges of online learning?

Many often wonder what happens to students’ social skills when they are enrolled in online learning programs–after all, students don’t have in-person interactions with their peers through this learning modality. But students enrolled in online learning don’t have to miss out on social opportunities–in fact, it’s easier to facilitate balanced social growth than previously believed. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways for students to foster social connections during online schooling, and there are strong social online learning examples available. Kids who are enrolled in online learning can still connect with their peers in virtual breakout rooms and should be given every opportunity to meet up informally during the school day. Learn how to foster such connections.

How can online learning help you?

There are many online learning platforms for students to connect them with engaging and motivating learning experiences. Online learning can help students who are sick for long periods and not able to be physically in school. It also can connect students to learning opportunities not available in their home districts, such as specialized language learning or advanced courses with no local instructors. Online learning also can help families stay or return to their local public schools–a complex challenge that requires a multifaceted approach. Families want options for their children’s education, and these options must be of high quality. Partnering with an experienced provider to offer high-quality online learning is one way traditional schools can give students more options—and it’s an important strategy for attracting and retaining families.

What is the future of online learning?

District virtual schools are dynamic alternatives to conventional schooling, ripe for transformation to cater to the diverse needs of 21st-century learners. It’s time to transform district virtual schools from pandemic stop-gaps into pioneering models of 21st-century learning. The sustainability of district virtual schools hinges on whether they can evolve beyond the current versions we see in most districts. Here’s how to ensure online learning is innovative, impactful, and long-lasting.

Key points:

• Stay up to date on the latest trends about learning in the digital age

Each year, we share our 10 most-read stories. Not surprisingly, many of this year’s Top 10 focused on equity, edtech innovation, immersive learning, and the science of reading. This year’s 4th most-read story focuses on blended learning’s role in the wake of the pandemic.

Avantis Education, the leading provider of VR and AR content and hardware for K-12 schools, has released a new white paper: “Building Back Stronger: New Thinking and Technologies Reshaping Education” which delves into the myriad ways K-12 schools are embracing different methodologies and cutting-edge technologies to support students following a period of declining academic success.

The white paper, released under the brand ClassVR, Avantis’ award-winning all-in-one VR/AR headsets for schools, is available for download at https://bit.ly/BBSwhitepaper.

As stated in the white paper, “issues such as underfunding, understaffing, the digital divide and the impacts of the pandemic have set the stage for an ambitious revival.” It notes that ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funding has provided school districts with opportunities to leverage new educational approaches and technologies and that “these innovations serve as the catalysts for rejuvenation, charting a course toward the restoration of educational excellence. U.S. education is building back stronger.”

The white paper examines several specific approaches and technologies being used in schools, including:

• The flipped classroom
• AI-generated teaching materials
• The no-grades movement
• Data-driven learning analytics
• Post-pandemic expansion of SEL
• VR and AR
• Maker-based learning, makerspaces and STEM labs

The white paper includes insights from five education thought leaders:

• Dr. Rupert Rawnsley, Chief Science Officer for Avantis Education
• Christopher Klein, Education Consultant for Avantis Education
• Simon Luxford-Moore, Head of eLearning at ESMS independent schools
• Luke Knightly-Jones, Education Researcher and private tutor for Royal Tutors
• Dr. Lorah Sirri, Senior Lecturer in Educational Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University

It also provides examples of how some of these approaches and technologies are being used in classrooms.

“The 2020s will likely be a defining decade for education as schools and policymakers rethink their approaches to education,” said Avantis Education’s Chief Executive Officer, Huw Williams. “In this white paper we provide an informative look at some of the innovations happening in K-12 schools today and their potential to engage students and support academic growth. It includes thoughtful context offered by experts in the field about these practices and technologies in order to help inform the conversation about how best to support students in moving forward.”

Key points:

• Every level of education has specific goals–and faces challenges
• Solving immediate challenges frees school leaders up to focus on long-term goals
• See related article: Fostering connections and edtech strategies between education leaders
• Stay up to date on the latest trends about learning in the digital age

As the new school year kicks off, superintendents across the nation are evaluating resources needed for the year ahead to ensure that everyone–school leaders, teachers, students, and parents–has what they need to be successful.

During a time when many kindergarten through 12th grade education leaders are facing many challenges, including teacher shortages, declining math and reading scores, funding issues, student mental health, and more, it’s critical that superintendents maximize their resources. By doing so, they’ll be able to solve immediate challenges that may arise, giving them more time to focus on the long-term goals of their school or district.

Throughout my 30-year career, I’ve been a high school teacher, a dean of students, an assistant principal, a principal, and now a superintendent. These roles have given me an understanding of the goals and challenges faced at every level of education. They have also given me insights on how schools and districts can re-evaluate and optimize resources to generate results.

As fellow superintendents kick off the year, I offer three proven strategies to maximize resources.

1. Provide professional development opportunities to invest in your staff

While the school district I lead in Florida has less than a 7 percent turnover year over year, a recent report by the RAND Corporation showed that teacher turnover rates across the nation grew to 10 percent in the 2021-22 school year. One factor that can lead to teachers not feeling supported is not having the time or resources to invest in their professional learning and development.

As educators, it can be easy to get caught up in the day-to-day work, but the only way to grow is by strategically dedicating learning time for your teams. Ensure they have the time to discuss their goals and key performance indicators, present projects, or hear from third-party speakers to learn about the latest trends in kindergarten through 12th grade education. Teachers make the magic, which is why it’s important to ensure they have the tools and training needed to feel confident, prepared, and supported.

2. Leverage online resources to individualize student learning and mitigate learning loss

Over the past two years, the Nation’s Report Card has shown widespread declines in student achievement, with average scores declining 7 points in reading and 14 points in mathematics compared to a decade ago.

To address and mitigate these concerning scores, educators should consider personalizing learning for every student. The best way to do that is by offering an online or blended learning environment because it empowers parents and students to take control of their education journey and learn in the way that works best for them.

Rather than all students in one classroom going at the same pace and covering the same subjects, online, blended, and hybrid learning provide students with flexibility, accessibility, self-pacing, and more support. For example, if a student masters a concept and is ready to move to the next lesson, they can do so, or if a student needs more time to understand a lesson, they can take that time.

Although there are synchronous live lessons with online learning, there is more time for students to learn asynchronously, giving teachers the flexibility to provide individualized support during the day. These personalized sessions not only foster connections between teachers and students, but also offer insights into their challenges, strengths, and personal interests.

Additionally, establishing one-on-one connections with students and their families enables teachers to discern the root cause of a student’s academic setbacks.

3. Explore short-term interim support when facing teacher shortages

While it’s imperative that superintendents adjust district-wide HR practices on how to attract, recruit, and retain teacher talent to help with teacher shortages, that is a long-term solution that will take time. Therefore, it’s crucial that superintendents leverage short-term solutions in the interim.

My recommendation is to partner with an experienced virtual school to help fill vacancies that can help with hiring teachers on-demand for specific needs. Virtual teachers can be quickly onboarded to cover and support your students, covering gaps in instances such as when a teacher leaves unexpectedly or when there are recruitment challenges for specific subject areas like World Languages or Electives.

No matter where help is needed, a strong virtual partner should feel like an extension of your culture and a continuation of the incredible work that your teachers already do. You’ll set yourself up for success if you find a virtual partner that truly listens to your district’s needs and cares about individualizing learning for your students.

I hope these three strategies give some piece of mind to my fellow superintendents this school year. My priority has and always will be to do what’s best for our students, and I believe these three strategies will do just that. Wishing you a wonderful school year ahead!

Related: 7 compliance areas for district leaders’ back-to-school checklists

Key points:

• Social growth is a critical part of a student’s K-12 learning experience
• Students don’t have to sacrifice social opportunities just because they learn online
• See related article: Leveraging edtech to help students, teachers stay connected
• Stay up to date on the latest trends about learning in the digital age

The expansion of online education has been a real boon for busy parents, teachers, and students. Online learning lets children learn from the comfort of their own homes and gives teachers a chance to set their own schedules.

However, some parents and teachers are worried about the social growth of students who are learning remotely. This is understandable, as some kids who learn online do so alone and only meet their peers via video calls.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways for students to foster social connections during online schooling. Kids who are enrolled in online learning can still connect with their peers in virtual breakout rooms and should be given every opportunity to meet up informally during the school day. 

Healthy digital friendships

The average student spends 3 – 4 hours online every day. However, few young people are given the tools they need to form healthy digital friendships. This can be detrimental to the social growth of e-learners who spend even more time on the web.

When discussing healthy web use, parents and teachers should address the topic of social media. Social media can undermine teens’ mental health, as young users of social sites like Instagram and Facebook report higher levels of eating disorders, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts.

However, talking about social media can be tense. No one likes to be told how to spend their free time and some students may tune out uninformed soapboxing. Learn to talk to students about social media by:

• Reflecting on one’s own experiences
• Encouraging introspection by your students
• Being willing to listen
• Giving students supportive resources and services

It’s important to remember that many digital friendships are authentically healthy. Encourage students to pursue connections that bring them joy and follow up on digital relationships with in-person get-togethers.

Virtual parties and get-togethers

In-person socialization is important for the emotional and cognitive growth of online learners. However, online schooling can still teach students all the skills they need to make friends and become productive members of society.

Consider hosting a fun virtual party to get the school year started. Encourage students to dress up and send parents tips on how to decorate their children’s learning space. This will build enthusiasm and break the ice amongst online learners.

Virtual parties should support socialization by:

• Focusing on shared interests: Kids will be more likely to interact if there is a clear theme and purpose. Plan digital activities like web-based scavenger hunts or show-and-tell games.
• Ensuring inclusivity: Provide digital games that everyone can play. For example, online learners with low vision may benefit from increased time and audio-visual descriptions if they plan on hosting a virtual board game.
• Encourage imagination: Children love to imagine and pretend play is a great way to boost cognitive development. Plan some remote-role-playing games and encourage students to make use of virtual tabletop software when playing games like Literacy Dice or Luna Uni.

Hosting a virtual party is a great way to build social skills during online learning. The students already know one another thanks to their online education and will be keen to play together online. Just be sure to plan some games based on shared interests and ensure that your materials are accessible. 

If you don’t have time to plan an entire party, simple games like “Simon Says,” charades, and Pictionary are perfect for remote learners. These games also give kids a chance to talk to their peers, because everyone gets a “turn” when playing online. Just be sure to reach out to parents before organizing a scavenger hunt, as some folks may not want their kids to roam around the house in search of scotch tape.

Extracurricular activities

Students enrolled in online learning don’t need to spend all day behind a screen. Breaking up the day with extracurricular activities can boost children’s career opportunities, too. Kids who partake in extracurricular activities outperform their peers and have higher academic aspirations.

Extracurricular activities can break up the monotony of online learning and provide an opportunity to practice social skills, too. As a parent or teacher, encourage your students to participate in things like music recitals, sports teams, and debate clubs. These activities foster social interaction and can give students a chance to meet other people their age.

Students can participate in virtual extracurricular activities, too. Social games like Dungeons and Dragons are perfect for those in online learning, because they can find all the resources they need to play online. Alternatively, kids can be encouraged to create their own virtual book clubs or online internships.

Online learning gives students a chance to learn in a way that suits them. However, some fear that full-time online learning may undermine kids’ social development. Parents and teachers can ensure that all children get the social time they need by organizing extracurricular activities, planning parties, and holding timely discussions about social media.

Related: 5 tips to keep online students motivated

Key points:

• The pandemic was tough on education, but wider access to virtual learning is a positive outcomes
• In particular, edtech helps students and teachers stay connected when they would otherwise have to miss school for medical reasons
• See related article: Prioritizing teacher well-being can help schools retain talent
• Stay up to date on the latest trends about learning in the digital age

There’s no disputing the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on almost every aspect of daily life — from the ways we interacted with the people around us to how we earned our living, received our medical care, and even did our weekly food shopping. However, few areas of modern life were more significantly affected than education.

Students, parents, and teachers alike were compelled to rapidly adjust to new learning methods, environments, and technologies. Today, in the aftermath of the pandemic, the results of this sudden and unprecedented shift to remote learning are being roundly, but not always justifiably, criticized. Though pandemic-related learning loss is a legitimate and profound concern, to discredit virtual learning on this basis would be to misread the situation and to miss out on an invaluable opportunity.

The true lesson of the pandemic is that virtual learning can be an incredible tool for accessing education during crisis periods, including sickness. But creating a remote learning space is not in itself sufficient. Teachers and students alike can stay connected during periods of illness through the effective and strategic use of edtech.

Maintaining connection

Students who experience significant illness are likely to feel cut off and isolated from their peers, their teachers, and their school. The experience of illness in and of itself can be alienating for children, who are often all too cognizant of how their daily reality differs from that of their friends.

Edtech’s rapidly expanding capabilities, though, can go far to alleviate this sense of isolation and alienation in children who are compelled to learn at home due to illness. The key lies in the creation of virtual spaces and remote learning experiences that not only engage students, but that exceed the limits of what is possible in the physical classroom.

Through online educational gameplay, for example, students can not only learn from any location — whether at home or in the classroom — but they can also interact with their peers in real time. These technologies enable students to meet and experience a shared learning environment, the universe of the game, for example. Students who are learning at home due to illness need no longer feel different or set apart. The virtual space allows them to share the learning space and to engage with both the learning material and their fellow students through the same medium.

Revising the paradigm

While edtech offers a tremendous opportunity for educators to create highly effective learning spaces for remote and in-person students to share, a fair amount of trial and error is all but inevitable. The key to building connections between teachers, in-person students, and remote learners lies in the educator’s willingness to be creative and to experiment.

For example, it is unrealistic to expect your standard, in-person teaching methods to translate exactly to the virtual classroom. This is, indeed, one of the most important lessons educators can learn from the pandemic. To be successful in the virtual space, educators need to be more–not less–engaged. Students are also likely to require more flexibility in the remote environment and certainly will benefit from some extra cheerleading. This is especially true for students who are transitioning from the physical classroom or who may be following a hybrid learning schedule.

Educators may need to create online learning activities, for example, that allow students to collaborate asynchronously or to work outside of traditional school hours. Teachers may also need to deploy technology that allows students to complete their assignments in diverse media, such as using video or audio rather than text. This allows students to enjoy more autonomy in their education as they learn to identify and capitalize on their own unique interests and strengths.

Integrating the teachers, transforming the learning space

It’s not only the students who benefit from the increased connection engendered by innovation in remote learning technologies. Teachers, too, are realizing the enormous power of the virtual classroom and the effect such a technological revolution is likely to have on their careers.

The advent of the 5G network, for example, isn’t just untethering the remote workforce, it’s transforming education. The speed, stability, and ubiquity of this network mean that students and teachers alike have more accessibility than ever before. Thanks to the immense capacity of 5G, the form of an online environment is virtually limitless. Students may meet virtually in the ancient Roman Colosseum, on the high seas of the Pequod, or inside the human circulatory system.

In addition to offering seemingly limitless opportunities for engaging students in the virtual space, edtech also supports educators in maintaining their careers, even when faced with illness. Teachers who are experiencing sickness no longer have to face the heartbreaking decision to resign or go on sabbatical while attending to their health. The remote classroom means that teachers can take their work anywhere and everywhere, maintaining a connection with students that is as robust as in the physical classroom, if not more so.

The flexibility and efficacy of virtual learning spaces can be a tremendous advantage–for instance, as teachers advocate for their health and well-being in workplace policy. Those who were concerned about taking sick leave, for example, now have an outstanding alternative in the form of the remote learning space.

The takeaway

Edtech isn’t just transforming the learning experiences of students in the brick-and-mortar classroom. Now more than ever, it’s expanding access and optimizing the learning experience of students facing illness. Innovations in edtech are making the virtual classroom a site of wonder, discovery, and equity. In the process, they’re helping to build stronger connections between teachers and students than ever before.

Related:
District virtual schools need to innovate beyond flexibility and security
5 tips to keep online students motivated

Key points:

• It’s time to transform district virtual schools from pandemic stop-gaps into pioneering models of 21st-century learning
• The sustainability of district virtual schools hinges on whether they can evolve beyond the current versions we see in most districts
• See related article: 5 tips to keep online students motivated
• Stay up to date on the latest trends about learning in the digital age

Imagine a classroom where learning transcends physical boundaries, and where every student’s need is met with individualized attention. This isn’t a distant dream, but an emergent reality born in the wake of the global pandemic. 

Prior to the pandemic, approximately 375,000 students attended online schools—less than 1% of the total number of US K–12 students. But as the crisis unfolded in 2020, virtual schools became a preferred educational choice for a significant number of families. Our survey in August 2021 found that 43% of districts had introduced a full-time virtual school option during the pandemic. These were new schools that students and families could opt into, separate from the emergency remote instruction commonly provided during the pandemic though existing brick-and-mortar schools.

Yet today, as pandemic emergency declarations officially draw to a close, a recent Hechinger Report article reveals that a lot of these newly minted virtual schools face tenuous futures. Many of the students who enrolled in them during the pandemic have returned to brick-and-mortar settings, leaving the durability of virtual options hanging in the balance.

Shuttering these newly formed schools would be an incredible loss for K–12 education as a whole. 

Virtual schools have, for more than two decades, offered students and families degrees of flexibility and personalization previously unavailable through conventional schools. The creation of new district virtual schools during the pandemic greatly expanded access to these benefits. But when brick-and-mortar schools reopened and COVID-related health concerns subsided, the students and families who had enrolled in district virtual schools faced a hard choice. Although virtual schools were appealing for their personalization, flexibility and security, many students and families still wanted and needed the custodial care, structured learning environments, in-person social interaction, and in-person programs (e.g., sports, band, and theater) that were only available to them at brick-and-mortar schools.

If early-stage district virtual schools can continue to build on and enhance what they offer, they could transform the conventional version of schooling common in most districts. Rather than forcing families into trading one set of benefits for another, virtual schools could offer the best of both worlds. But the potential, promise, and sustainability of district virtual schools hinges on whether they can evolve beyond the current versions we see in most districts. 

The improvements and innovations that district virtual schools pursue should be guided first and foremost by the needs and interests of the families they serve. But drawing on the insights we’ve gained from studying both innovative school models and the desires of families over more than a decade, here are a few areas virtual school leaders and district leaders should consider if they want to sustain the benefits of virtual schooling beyond the era of the pandemic.

1. Address unsustainable costs

The key issue with district virtual schools, as per the Hechinger Report, is unsustainable fixed costs due to plummeting enrollments post-pandemic. Schools with insufficient students struggle to maintain the cost of full-time teachers. Fortunately, the flexibility of virtual schooling enables cost-effective staffing solutions, such as extra stipends for conventional classroom teachers to also teach virtual students part-time, or contracting with curriculum-providing companies to fill teaching needs.

However, these immediate financial fixes aren’t perfect. When virtual schools outsource teaching, they run the risk of eroding their community spirit and becoming disconnected from student needs. Therefore, the long-term sustainability of these schools depends not only on managing operating costs but also on generating revenue by attracting local students to create a vibrant community. To increase enrollments, these schools need to evolve in ways that make them more appealing to local families, as indicated in the following suggestions.

2. Provide flexible in-person options

In-person learning may seem like a contradiction to the very concept of virtual learning. But pairing in-person options with virtual learning is likely key to making virtual schools an attractive alternative for more learners and families. Many families appreciated the adaptability of virtual learning during the pandemic, but missed the structured learning environments, socialization opportunities, custodial care, and activities like sports and arts that physical schools provide. As such, they faced a tradeoff when physical schools reopened. But the flexibility of virtual schooling and the programs and supports available in-person don’t have to be an either-or proposition. 

Programs like Altus Schools in California; Innovations Early College High School and Launch High School in Utah; Wilder School District in Idaho; Village High School, Springs Studio, and Poudre Global Academy in Colorado; ACE High School in Oklahoma; Link Learning in Michigan; Foothills Education in Georgia; Crossroads FLEX High School in North Carolina; and Map Academy in Massachusetts are all compelling examples of in-person schools that use online learning as the backbone of instruction to make the time, place, path and pace of learning and the roles of educators personalized to students’ learning needs.

3. Enhance support

Virtual schools attract many students who struggle in conventional schools due to bullying, social anxiety, ADHD, autism, or other unaddressed learning needs. For these students, the virtual setting can be a much-needed haven of safety and flexibility. However, in the absence of traditional school structures, these students often struggle to find academic success because many virtual schools are not well equipped to support their academic needs. 

To truly serve these students, virtual schools need to implement more robust support systems, such as dedicated advisors for regular check-ins, an expanded team of mental health professionals, and effective data systems to identify and intervene with struggling students. Map Academy in Plymouth, Massachusetts, exemplifies how to construct a comprehensive support system for high-need students that capitalizes on the unique benefits of virtual schooling, rather than merely mirroring conventional school support structures.

While these enhanced support systems may incur added costs, they are fundamental to the success of a virtual schooling model. This underscores the importance of effectively controlling costs, as mentioned earlier, to accommodate these necessary expenses. 

4. Blur the lines between conventional and virtual

District virtual schools have a unique advantage of blending the flexibility of virtual schooling with the existing in-person benefits of their district’s conventional schools. Instead of creating independent programs, they can allow their students to participate in existing activities such as sports or band. Conversely, conventional students can benefit from district virtual offerings, taking additional online classes or niche courses with limited demand. Virtual schools like VLACS in New Hampshire, FLVS in Florida, and Michigan Virtual have enabled this kind of part-time virtual learning for decades. In a similar vein, Utah students enrolled at My Tech High can choose to take some of their courses in-person from their local school districts. This ability to blur the line between virtual and brick-and-mortar experiences positions district virtual schools to provide the best of both worlds—an advantage stand-alone virtual schools don’t have.

5. Embrace mastery-based learning

Virtual schooling offers students and families flexibility in terms of the time and location where learning happens. However, most virtual schools do not offer flexibility on the dimensions of path and pace. They use one-size-fits all curricula, follow the conventional semester calendar, and use conventional A-F grading.

By embracing mastery-based learning, district virtual schools could greatly enhance their students’ learning experiences. Mastery-based learning allows students to take ownership of their learning, progress at their own pace, and pursue alternative paths to mastery. It’s also a more effective way to address learning gaps, as it allows students to focus their efforts on their particular areas of need. When done well, mastery-based learning also enhances students’ motivation and engagement by providing clear expectations, detailed feedback on learning progress, and creating transparency about learned and unlearned content.

6. Fuel the improvement trajectory

Improving district virtual programs along these dimensions is only part of the equation for making them sustainable and compelling alternatives to conventional schooling. Perhaps the biggest challenge is mustering the motivation and mindset within a district to make these changes happen. Too often, district leaders view their virtual schools as mere niche programs plugging a gap in their public mandate, warranting only minimal attention and resources once a basic program is in place. Consequently, virtual schools frequently struggle to garner the leadership, funding, staffing, and facilities critical to their improvement.

Turning the tide requires visionary district leaders who recognize the potential of virtual schools not as niche programs, but as dynamic alternatives to the one-size-fits-all approach of conventional schooling. These innovative platforms are ripe for transformation; they can actualize a new educational paradigm that caters to the diverse needs of 21st-century learners. 

Now, imagine a future in which districts not only offer, but actively champion their virtual schools. Districts promote them as havens not only of unrivaled flexibility and security, but also as uniquely engaging and personalized learning experiences that can put all students on a path to both academic proficiency and personal fulfillment. 

The call to action is clear: It’s time to champion the ongoing evolution of virtual schooling by giving these models the attention, resources, and support they need to improve. For district leaders, this means being champions of virtual schools and getting out of their way as they work to improve and attract more students. For virtual school leaders, this means regularly rising above the work of day-to-day operations to imagine and pursue better ways to address costs and improve the student experience. For families, this means seeing beyond negative stereotypes to discover the appealing potential of these schools. For students, this means telling their stories widely so that other students will see the exciting things these schools have to offer.

Let’s transform district virtual schools from pandemic stop-gaps into pioneering models of 21st-century learning.

This story originally appeared on the Clayton Christensen Institute’s blog and is reposted here with permission.

Related:
Flexible, hybrid learning is key to student success
Online tutoring is changing how we support our students

Key points:

• Educators must support efforts that boost online student motivation
• Peer mentors, change of scenery, and spending time with students are important for online students

A student’s motivation in school is a key driver of their academic success. Yet, the demanding nature of high school classes, mixed with a teenager’s natural craving for independence and individual identity, can stand in the way of that motivation. COVID-19 took a toll on student motivation, and 80 percent of educators are still feeling the effects. Following the rapid and sudden shift to online learning, parents and educators remain concerned about keeping online students motivated and engaged. 

As we move past the pandemic and rethink the role of online education, it’s vital to education reform that teachers remain focused on fostering student motivation.

Fortunately, online educators have been addressing this concern for years and have learned how to instill motivation among their students–even when not in a physical classroom. Here are my top tips to help educators foster motivation among students.

1. Take the time to get to know your students

It can be highly beneficial for educators to engage with their online students about their lives outside of school by asking about what they enjoy doing in their free time, their goals beyond school, and challenges that are consuming their time and energy. 

When students feel appreciated for who they are outside of the classroom, it creates a safe learning environment and motivates them to work harder. Praise and positive feedback tends to carry more weight when coming from someone who knows and respects students as individuals. Getting to know students better can also provide educators with insight into the best learning style for students, and allows them to draw connections between students’ personal lives and what they’re learning in school.

2. Encourage online students to take time for self-care and mental health 

There is a direct correlation between mental health and academic performance — students with strong mental health have higher levels of self-esteem and motivation to achieve their educational goals. To foster strong mental health, educators can teach time-management skills that help students set aside time for self-care. 

A key feature of Penn Foster’s approach is the ability for students to learn on their own time and create their own schedules. While this is one of the major benefits of online learning, students can struggle staying on task when faced with too much flexibility. That’s why we encourage students to prioritize their work, make to-do lists, and keep track of all due dates. Ultimately, having an organized schedule and goals will help ease stress and allow students more time to recharge. 

3. Encourage students to change their scenery

Sitting at a desk all day can become dull and tiring. To renew interest in the subject matter, encourage your online students to take their coursework elsewhere. Changing work settings has been shown to drive productivity and increase engagement–giving the mind a novelty-based boost and moving students away from distractions. Studies show that taking time away from work, even just a quick five-minute walk outside, can work wonders for students’ mental health. A switch of environment can be just what students need to regain inspiration and stay motivated.  

4. Leverage former students and peers as motivators

Allowing former and current online students to inspire their peers can be hugely beneficial because they have many experiences and goals in common. Mentorship programs have shown significant impacts on the success of students; they can increase academic performance, improve attitudes about school, decrease high school dropout rates, and build self-esteem. Instructors can nurture these connections by hosting Q&A sessions with graduates, connecting students individually with graduates who faced similar challenges, and maintaining an open-door policy with current students and graduates alike.

5. Set goals and celebrate achievements

For many online students, encouragement is the best form of motivation. Rewarding effort and success publicly, giving verbal praise for a job well done, reaching out to a student’s parent or guardian with positive feedback, and sharing exemplary work with the class are a few different ways to celebrate your students’ victories. Research shows that celebrating student achievement doesn’t just make students feel good, but also improves memory, learning, motivation, and other cognitive functions.

Some students, however, may be more intrinsically motivated. In this case, it can be especially valuable to practice self-reflection, determine their own strengths and weaknesses, and set realistic performance goals that fit with their learning style. In fact, students perform better academically when they feel in control of their education. When implemented well, goal-setting can have a significant, positive influence on student motivation and academic achievement. 

By taking some of these steps to improve student motivation in the classroom, educators will see higher levels of engagement, interest, and success among students. Motivation comes in many forms, so it’s best to try different methods and see which work best for your students. As we consider the future of online learning, it’s critical that we keep our students motivated and hungry to learn.

Related:
Flexible, hybrid learning is key to student success
Online tutoring is changing how we support our students

Key points:

• The COVID-19 pandemic facilitated the introduction of new learning technologies into the mainstream
• Educators and students were forced to adapt to new edtech tools, which now have a permanent place in today’s classrooms
• Stay up to date on the latest trends about learning in the digital age

It goes without saying that the Covid-19 pandemic affected every aspect of our lives in one way or another. The world was forced to adapt to a new reality to overcome the numerous challenges and hardships brought by the virus.

The field of education was affected like no other. More specifically, online education saw massive changes and transformations that were accelerated by the pandemic. Without further ado, here’s how pre- and post-Covid education differs and how online classes changed.

Before Covid

Online education wasn’t introduced during the pandemic. In fact, online learning classes have been a thing for a while now. Two of the most well-known e-learning platforms – edX and Coursera – were both launched back in 2012 and were gaining new students every year. Traditional educational institutions generally weren’t offering online courses and preferred to stick to in-person teaching.

In most cases, taking online courses could only give you a certificate or diploma rather than a bachelor’s or other degree. Despite that, online education was becoming more acceptable, and even employers were hiring candidates with e-learning certificates and documents. Overall, there was a positive trend in the popularity of online education, mostly due to its accessibility.

Besides online courses, a lot of students also used various services related to academics, such as private tutoring. Students also started using the writing service Trust My Paper and other services of its kind to help with academic assignments. This helped more students catch up with their studies and keep up with their peers who weren’t experiencing as many difficulties throughout their studies.

Adapting to the pandemic

During the pandemic, the processes and trends that were already apparent in the sphere of education got accelerated. The popularity of e-learning grew, not only because in-person education became inaccessible, but also because traditional educational institutions were forced to adapt to the new state of society.

Schools, colleges, and universities started introducing online and blended learning methods because they could no longer teach students in classrooms. Obviously, some institutions were quite reluctant to make the transition. And it wasn’t just the institutions themselves – a lot of older educators who weren’t as familiar with technology as their students or more tech-savvy fellow educators, and they didn’t understand how they could deliver knowledge effectively through a computer screen.

Nevertheless, everyone in education who wanted to continue teaching (and, on the other hand, who wanted to continue studying) had to find a way to transition to online methods. At the same time, existing e-learning platforms were attracting more and more students who were eager to learn something new, whether it was sewing or biochemical engineering.

Likewise, a lot of online services used by students before the pandemic received a boost. More and more students started hiring private tutors online and using the best essays writing services to assist them with academic assignments and homework. Essentially, everything that was done online became more common and almost standard compared to what it was like prior to the pandemic.

After Covid

Though Covid-19 is still considered to be an “established and ongoing health issue,” it is nowhere near what it used to be like. Most countries have returned to the state they were in before the pandemic, with most restrictions lifted. However, changes to the education system did not entirely appear.

For starters, e-learning has definitely become more widespread. You can learn about almost anything if you have an internet connection – enroll in online phlebotomy classes, take a course on woodcutting, or complete a program on financial analytics. Many educational resources are also available for free, which makes online learning even more accessible to those who can’t afford expensive tuition in traditional educational institutions.

A lot of universities and colleges that started offering online courses during the pandemic decided to continue offering them even now that restrictions have been lifted. Of course, most institutions transitioned back to in-person teaching, but there are still many more institutions now offering online learning options that never offered them before.

A not-so-obvious benefit of the adoption of e-learning by major educational institutions (albeit temporary in many cases) is the introduction of new technologies into the mainstream. Educators used apps like Zoom to organize online learning via video conferencing, so even those who never used such tools before were forced to master them. Other programs like Proctorio were adopted by institutions that wanted to ensure secure and fair examination setups.

When it comes to the future, it is uncertain, but there are some trends that experts predict will be shaping online and hybrid education in the next few years or even decades:

The number of students in online and hybrid learning will grow, as will the number of workers employed in online and hybrid setups.

Students will be seeking opportunities to upskill and reskill – and e-learning will be the primary method of education for many specialists.

AI will continue changing the educational system in many ways, both in e-learning and traditional education.

By being aware of these growing trends, leaders in education can tackle common challenges more effectively and adapt to the changing educational environment.

Wrapping up

At the end of the day, it’s impossible to predict the future with complete accuracy. However, we can still see certain trends in education and possible developments. The pandemic simply sped up the rise of online learning as a more accessible form of education.

Related:
Online tutoring is changing how we support our students
Online learning can help schools retain students

Key points:

• Virtual learning expanded access to student mental health support
• Hybrid learning offers improved satisfaction during IEP meetings
• Stay up to date on the latest trends about learning in the digital age

In the business world, we’ve seen a sea change in the way people work. While some have returned to the office full time, some are still working remotely, and others are opting for a hybrid approach of being in-person just a few days a week. If the pandemic showed us anything, it is that flexibility is in the best interest of the employee and the company in a competitive marketplace. 

The same lessons are true in schools. Forced to go online, in some cases for a year or more, schools quickly turned to video conferencing and online tools to facilitate the development of Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) and even deliver mental health services to help students cope with the changes resulting from the pandemic. These new approaches offered ways to reduce many of the traditional barriers to services and support. Plus, they provided flexibility to create individualized plans that best meet the needs of students and their families.  

But now that schools are again in-person, does it make sense to resort to the old ways as we look to the future? Having many new, effective tools in educators’ toolboxes, it’s time to cast aside conventional processes and rethink the way we provide services to, and support, our students. 

The pandemic effect 

School closures and new procedures during the pandemic threw students, parents, teachers, support staff, and administrators into chaos as they tried to navigate remote learning and keep students on track. By the time they returned to classrooms, they had to contend with learning loss and behavioral challenges resulting from the disruptions and isolation during COVID-19. 

Students with disabilities who relied on IEPs, however, experienced a bigger negative impact from the pandemic. Data notes that these students saw sharper declines in test scores. For example, reading scores dropped 7 percent for students with disabilities in 2022 compared to pre-pandemic levels, vs. just 5 percent for their peers. Graduation rates were similarly impacted, with nearly half of the states reporting declining graduation rates among students with disabilities in 2021, compared with just 10 states the previous year. 

The heart of the problems stemmed from the difficulties meeting requirements for special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, according to the American Institutes for Research. More than half of school districts surveyed said it was “more difficult” or “substantially more difficult” to provide accommodations and specially designed instruction and related services, along with meeting referral and evaluation procedures and timelines. Another 42 percent indicated they had issues with IEP development and renewal meetings. Among the supports that were most challenging to provide were hands-on accommodations and services, appropriate instructional accommodations, speech therapy, engaging families for help with IEP requirements, and collaborating with social service and other agency partners. 

A plus side to remote services? 

Despite these negative impacts, there were some upsides to going remote for those with IEPs and the adults supporting them. Even though many students with IEPs or 504 plans reported having problems with remote learning, others blossomed with at-home learning. Quiet spaces, fewer distractions, the ability to work at their own pace and with their best learning style, and less anxiety-producing classroom social pressure allowed these students to flourish. Research shows that school socialization may be distracting or intimidating, which can influence participation and focus in class. 

Parents, too, saw benefits to virtual IEP meetings. The Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) noted that parents reported low satisfaction with in-person meetings, as they could feel outnumbered or rushed, and meetings often were missing key members of the school-based team. However, with the pandemic’s virtual meetings, attendance increased, which both parents and educators told CRPE “facilitated higher levels of active engagement in meetings and fostered stronger partnerships between families and the special education teams.” Not only were these meetings easier to schedule to ensure all parties could attend, but there appeared to be more reflection on the purpose of the meetings and preparation, which led to greater collaboration between educators and parents. 

Virtual meeting options also improved access to school-provided mental health services. The severe shortage of school psychologists was an issue even before the pandemic. Now, nationally, there is only one school psychologist for every 1,127 kids, with psychologists often serving multiple schools. The experience of providing services during the pandemic revealed the advantages of telecounseling for both students and school psychologists, according to the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Virtual appointments enabled psychologists to work with more students as their commuting time between appointments was minimized and they could be more flexible with scheduling. NASP also reported that students preferred telecounseling, too, which resulted in regular attendance and more meaningful participation in the sessions. 

Given the feedback from students, parents, educators, and school psychologists about their experience of going virtual during the pandemic, it may be time to consider a more business-like approach to providing school-related services. Much like companies are embracing hybrid work to improve employee satisfaction and productivity, schools should consider reimagining the learning processes – leveraging both in-person and remote services – that enable children to achieve the best possible results.  

Related:
Online learning can help schools retain students
5 ways virtual tutoring reinforces our after-school program

As the latest results from the National Assessment of Academic Progress (NAEP) make clear, we have a long way to go to ensure that our students are achieving at grade level in reading and mathematics.

Yet, we don’t just want to address the gaps in students’ learning—we want to make sure each one of our students grows and advances.

At Baker Charter Schools, we’re a K–12 public charter school with students all over Oregon. Online tutoring gives our students access to the critical academic support they need, even outside traditional school hours. By making this support available to all our students, we’re not only closing opportunity gaps but helping students reach their full potential.

The benefits of high-impact tutoring can’t be ignored—for all student groups. Recent research shows that tutoring is one of the most effective ways to increase academic achievement, including among students from lower socio-economic households—one of the groups disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, while the pandemic shined a light on tutoring as an academic intervention, it’s important that we recognize tutoring is a crucial strategy for student advancement regardless of a student’s abilities.

Agreeing about this, we’ve gone beyond using tutoring merely as an academic intervention for closing learning gaps. Instead, we’re weaving 24/7 online tutoring into the fibers of our programs and services—and we’re seeing promising results.

Piloting on-demand online tutoring

Recognizing our students needed tutoring options available after regular school hours, we piloted TutorMe, an online tutoring solution, during the 2021–22 school year and reassigned most of our staff tutors. We conducted a two-part pilot project with a small pilot in fall 2021 and a full pilot for students in grades 8–12 in spring 2022.

To gauge the pilot’s success, we focused on how often our students used online tutoring, setting a goal of 40 hours of average weekly usage. The reason we set a weekly usage goal is because frequency matters: Tutoring is shown to have the greatest success when delivered in high doses. To track our progress toward this goal, I collected monthly data on student usage using the administrative dashboard.

While we didn’t meet our goal right away, we saw that usage steadily increased, primarily in math. We noticed almost immediately that more students used the service outside of regular school hours—times when our in-house tutoring wasn’t available. Now, we consistently reach our goal of 40 hours of tutoring per week, and this usage spikes at certain times, such as the end of a semester—when we might see as many as 80 hours per week.

I learned not to assume that 100 percent of students would participate, and I made it clear to our administrators that if we had 20 percent of our students using the service, that’s a great percentage. Now, as the year is progressing, we’re surpassing that goal, and the number of students using online tutoring outside of regular school hours continues to grow.

Reaching students whenever they need help

Access to online tutoring outside of regular school hours is important because we want to support our students whenever they might have questions about their work. Many of our high school students work later at night, and when we examined our pilot data, we realized that offering around-the-clock online tutoring helps us reach a large group we’d otherwise never be able to help.

Our schools don’t have staff available to help students during off-school hours, and online tutoring fills that gap in a huge way. During fall break when students were off for a week, we had 15 students log 25 hours of tutoring time. That’s 15 students who did not have access to on-demand help with our in-house tutors. Because those students had access to online tutoring, however, they got the just-in-time support they needed.

Providing on-demand online tutoring helps us provide the best education possible. What’s more, it’s helping all our students advance, even those already achieving at grade level. We’ve made online tutoring an integral and habitual part of our students’ learning, and it plays a large role in their academic success.

Related:
How online tutoring helps us close learning gaps and support teachers
5 ways virtual tutoring reinforces our after-school program

Click Here for Everything You Need To Know About AI In Education

There were 1.3 million fewer students enrolled in U.S. public schools in fall 2021 than there were before the pandemic began–a drop of nearly 3 percent. Given that educational funding is tied to enrollment, this development has serious implications for the availability of resources in our schools.

Some of this decline may be the result of changing demographics. But much of it can be attributed to families who have opted out of public schools during the pandemic, choosing private schools or homeschooling for their children instead.

On top of these losses, traditional school districts also have lost about a quarter of a million students to charter schools since the emergence of COVID. An analysis by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools found that charter school enrollment increased by more than 7 percent from fall 2019 to fall 2020 as families found other alternatives for their children’s education.

Families have chosen to leave their traditional school system during the pandemic for a variety of reasons. For instance, some weren’t happy with the quality of remote instruction their children were receiving. Some were afraid to send their children back when schools reopened. Whatever their motivation, it’s clear they felt their local school system wasn’t aptly meeting their needs.

Encouraging families to stay or return to their local public schools is a complex challenge that requires a multifaceted approach. Families want options for their children’s education, and these options must be of high quality. Partnering with an experienced provider to offer high-quality online learning is one way traditional schools can give students more options—and it’s an important strategy for attracting and retaining families.

Choices in modality

Although some students fell behind during the shift to remote learning, others thrived. Giving students the flexibility to learn online instead of in-person can serve the needs of many families more effectively.

For instance, when done well, online learning makes education more convenient for students who have health problems or those who feel threatened while at school. It provides an option for students who are immunocompromised or have family members who are at a high risk from COVID. It even provides more autonomy for students and a self-paced learning option for those who are bored by the traditional pace of instruction.

A Pew Research Center survey conducted in spring 2022 found that 9 percent of teens would prefer learning fully online when the pandemic is over. Another 18 percent said they would prefer a mix of face-to-face and online instruction. In other words, more than one in four teens would like to have online learning as an option in their schools. As this CNN story makes clear, some families sought other options for their children’s education that specifically included online learning once their local school system returned to in-person instruction.

Partnering with an experienced online learning provider can help school districts expand the options available to families for their children’s education with minimal effort. The ability to choose online instruction as the method in which their children learn could encourage some families to reconsider their decision to leave their local school system—and it could give others a compelling reason to stay.

Choices in learning opportunities

Online learning expands not only the modalities available to students, but the learning opportunities as well.

Many K-12 schools can’t offer the breadth of courses needed to match all students’ interests. They might not have the budget to offer these courses themselves, or they might not be able to find and recruit teachers with the necessary expertise. For example, students in rural areas are less likely to have access to Advanced Placement (AP)® courses—and only half of all high schools offer computer science courses.

Supplemental online courses offer a compelling solution, instantly expanding the range of courses that schools can offer. This allows students to explore subjects they’re curious about from knowledgeable and qualified instructors worldwide, which can be a powerful incentive for families to choose a school system. According to one study, the range of academic opportunities that a school system has to offer is a key factor in where families choose to send their children to school, with researchers writing that parents “were highly influenced by the multitude of opportunities the district of their choice had to offer.”

Expanding choices is critical

Choice is a major watchword in education today. Whether from homeschooling, private schools, charter schools, or even neighboring school systems, public schools face significant competition for the students in their local communities—and the educational funding that follows these students.

To attract and retain families, districts must provide a wide range of options for student learning. This was true even before the pandemic, and it’s especially true now. Providing full-time or supplemental learning options is a key strategy for doing this effectively. It can make districts more attractive for families and is one part of a multifaceted approach to solving the challenge of declining student enrollment.

Related:
5 components of a great hybrid learning program
How virtual tutoring reinforces our after-school program

We’ve been working to reinforce and reinvigorate our after-school program with the goal of reaching more students who need it. Staffing shortages and not enough hours in the day have made it difficult for us to achieve this goal, but when we started using the FEV Tutor live, 1:1 virtual tutoring platform we realized that we had discovered the missing piece of our puzzle.

At the time, we were really ramping up our summer program and trying to create as much programming as possible for it beforehand. One of the sites integrated the virtual tutoring into its program for four weeks and we received good feedback from the staff, teachers, and students.

We took those results and ran with them, rolling the online tutoring platform out across all 21 of our school sites with a goal of reaching about 2,500 students in grades 3-8. We offer the tutoring in 45-minute, dedicated blocks of time and alternate between math and reading.

Here are five steps we took to ensure the best possible results with our virtual learning platform:

1. Use it to provide individualized instruction. It’s great to be able to offer students individualized learning opportunities that are tailored to the information that we get through our i-Ready assessment data. This is key because we know that learning is not one-size-fits-all.

2. Leverage the data from the platform. We love looking at the data whenever we can. We can easily see the positive impact that tutoring is having on our students. We can celebrate those successes within the school community and the greater community, and really understand what else is needed to help our students succeed in school.

3. Work together to figure out who needs it most. Our after-school program is open to all of our students but space is limited. We prioritize based on the data that we get from our i-Ready assessments. We get input from our schools’ social workers, guidance counselors, principals, and teachers. Ultimately, we want to make sure we’re reaching the students who really get the biggest return on their investment of time.

4. Get in some good learning time.  Because the tutoring takes place after school the district is able to allocate a full 45-minute block to the virtual tutoring. That’s enough time for them to get situated, open their computers or Chromebooks, engage in the lessons and then wrap up and go on to the next activity. They can get acclimated quickly and really get in some good learning time with their online tutors.

5. Think beyond traditional lessons. Our online tutoring provider also helps improve educational equity by putting 1:1 tutoring into the hands of students who may not otherwise be privy to it.  It also serves as an extension of the district’s support structure. For example, if a student is having trouble in eighth grade biology or science, she may not have time to stay after school for a teacher conference. However, that student can log into the online tutoring platform, input her questions and within 15 minutes she can be working with a tutor who can assist the student in gaining an understanding to address those science questions.

Set them Up for Success

Due to the pandemic, we’re seeing a lot of students who are one or two grades behind and struggling to catch back up. Unfortunately, there just isn’t enough time in the day for every student to be able to work one-on-one with a teacher to achieve that goal. Our hope is that our virtual tutors will help them recapture that knowledge and get back on track. This is a golden opportunity and we’re hoping to see the results of our efforts in the spring i-Ready assessments.

At that point, we’ll be able to see that the tutoring made a difference for the cohort of students that went through the 21st Century program and/or participated in the tutoring during the school day. So far it feels like we’re doing the right thing for the students, and that we’re going the extra mile to set them up for success.

Related:
The best ways to approach high-impact tutoring
How online tutoring helps us close learning gaps and support teachers

Each year, we share our 10 most-read stories. Not surprisingly, many of this year’s Top 10 focused on innovative ways to engage students, digital resources, and online and hybrid learning strategies related to post-pandemic teaching. This year’s 4th most-read story focuses on creating an online elementary program.

Elementary education is the foundation for early learning, providing students with the skills and community they need for future success in school and life. Thanks to today’s technology, helping them start on the right foot is easier than ever – especially with online learning opportunities.

Online learning has become a growing trend among K-12 students, including elementary students. In fact, we successfully launched our own online elementary schools, which grew by 10,000 students over the past four years.

If you are a school or district leader looking to build an online elementary program, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. Here are five steps that helped our teams successfully build and maintain an online elementary program that drives student and parent engagement:

Step 1: Start with the Basics
First, determine the specific goals you want for your online elementary program. For example, do you want to expand curriculum offerings, provide effective flexible learning options for students, or build a personalized program that meets students’ needs? Or perhaps you have multiple goals you want to accomplish. No matter what your program’s goals are, determining and discussing them is the most critical factor when launching a new program.

Then, it’s best to decide how you want your program to incorporate digital learning. Do you want your program to be fully online? What about a blended learning model that combines the use of online courses and resources in a face-to-face setting? Or could hybrid be what works best for your students – combining in-person and virtual days?

Step 2: Focus on your teachers and staff
Your teachers and staff make the magic, so it’s important to focus on hiring staff and teachers who are passionate and excited about online learning. Then, it’s critical to ensure they have the resources, tools, and professional development they need to feel confident and prepared to teach in the online learning environment.

Throughout our FlexPoint and Florida Virtual School professional development, we show elementary teachers how to implement best practices in online learning and create fun and engaging activities for their students online. For example, we encourage our teachers to bring props into their lesson, like they would in a physical classroom. This could be using a guitar to sing songs, puppet animals, and more. The sky’s the limit.

Step 3: Utilize interactive curriculum and instruction
Elementary-age students have shorter attention spans, which is why it’s vital to provide them with group learning time, like a live lesson, as well as individual time. This also allows students to have more flexibility in their schedule so they can work on assignments at their own pace, or take a break if they need to. Additionally, our teachers provide instruction that requires interaction with onscreen content such as image markers and tabbed panels, so that students feel like they are part of the lesson.

Also, utilizing a curriculum that includes interactive elements such as videos, games, and more, can make all the difference. I highly recommend either creating your own curriculum with these elements, or partnering with an online learning provider, like FlexPoint, to license interactive curriculum.

Step 4: Build a strong community
Even online, it’s important for parents to feel confident that school leaders know their child as an individual and care about their success. There are many ways to build strong connections with parents and students online.

At Florida Virtual School we developed a self-paced onboarding course for parents and students to take before they start their classes to learn how to navigate the online learning platform, find their schedule, look up grades, and more. We also encourage our teachers to schedule welcome calls with parents and students to answer any questions they may have about the upcoming school year.

Step 5: Plan for all scenarios
There are situations that are unique to the online learning environment. For example, what do your teachers and staff do when a student stops responding or submitting assignments? Providing guidelines on how teachers and staff should approach a variety of scenarios it’s important so there is already a plan in place.

To start building guidelines and best practices, I would start by asking yourself and your staff questions such as, “do you have safeguards in place to ensure academic integrity?” or “how will you communicate with families and students who are actively participating in their learning?” And don’t forget questions about technical support and how to support students with IEPs or ESEs in the online learning environment.

Related:
5 ways to prep students for online learning success
4 blended learning strategies for better student engagement

Each year, we share our 10 most-read stories. Not surprisingly, many of this year’s Top 10 focused on innovative ways to engage students, digital resources, and online and hybrid learning strategies related to post-pandemic teaching. This year’s 5th most-read story features an episode of Kevin Hogan’s Innovations in Education podcast that focuses on the state of online learning.

In this episode of Innovations in Education, sponsored by Galaxy Next Generation, host Kevin Hogan explores:

• 5 steps to an engaging online elementary program
• 6 tips to begin an elementary esports program in your school
• What Tech Should Stay With The “New Normal”

Key points:

• Stay up to date on the latest trends about learning in the digital age

Each year, we share our 10 most-read stories. Not surprisingly, many of this year’s Top 10 focused on innovative ways to engage students, digital resources, and online and hybrid learning strategies related to post-pandemic teaching. This year’s 10th most-read story focuses on creating a great hybrid learning program.

Over the past year and a half, “hybrid learning” has become quite the buzzword when it comes to education. With the COVID-19 pandemic impacting learners across the world, we’ve witnessed the growing need for hybrid learning, an education option that combines the benefits of a traditional in-person classroom and online learning. But the need for this option won’t just be a fleeting trend. The future of hybrid learning is bright, and the benefits are unmatched. I’ve seen it for myself.

As an educator for 10 years, I’ve worked in in-person, online, and hybrid classrooms. I’ve experienced the dos and don’ts of creating learning environments where my students can not only learn but be their best selves. When my colleagues ask me for my secret for success, here are the tips that I share: 

1. Establish a positive hybrid learning culture and a strong learning community. 

A strong community is at the heart of every good classroom. While we can’t hug and high-five our students through a screen, a hybrid classroom can still foster a warm community of connected learners.

A great way to accomplish a positive environment is by first highlighting the benefits of this teaching method. Hybrid learning has numerous benefits for your students, parents, and teachers, including increased flexibility, accessibility, and the ability to use innovative learning tools. If you are switching over to a hybrid learning environment, ease any questions or concerns by communicating these benefits and encouraging your students to get the most out of this valuable learning experience.

Your classroom community will act as the foundation of your learning environment. You can keep your community strong by using connectivity activities like daily or weekly check-ins, small group activities, and full classroom discussions. Don’t be afraid to use your creativity and have fun with it, like asking your students to use emojis to check in on how they are doing. A strong, unified classroom (in person and virtually) is possible when you foster conversations, encouraging innovation, and establishing a safe and open learning environment.

2. Use hybrid learning to enhance educational experiences.

A hybrid learning environment has the potential to improve the educational experience for your students. This method allows for creative, innovative, and fun lesson plans that employ the advantages of both remote and in-person learning. When designing learning layouts, you should facilitate both remote independent learning and classroom collaboration.

Remember how you made friends in the classroom? For in-person lessons, focus on student collaboration and socialization activities, like creating pairs or small group team building activities. This is the chance for your students to gain deeper connections with their classmates and learn to collaborate in the classroom.

When crafting online learning activities, this is the perfect opportunity to create lessons that encourage independent thinking and student choice. For example, allowing students to draw their response and show it on camera, rather than typing it out, or utilizing tools like survey sites and online polls to ask questions to your students can help them stay active and engaged. These lessons will allow for students to develop their thought processes, self-confidence, and independence.

3. Make independent learning a key component.

With hybrid learning, there will be days when students participate in online learning. These are the moments you can encourage independent learning lessons that are essential to your students’ growth. Asynchronous online activities allow students to analyze and absorb the subject matter at their own pace, helping them gain the tools they need to think independently inside and outside of the classroom.

When it’s time to reunite as a class, encourage students to reflect on what they’ve learned independently through engaging, collaborative discussions with other students.

4. Students should have consistency.

For students to succeed, they need routines, resource availability, structure, and support. The last thing you want your classroom to be, whether online or in-person, is unpredictable. Successful hybrid learning environments have a consistent schedule. Whether students attend in person learning on Monday and Wednesdays each week, or half of your school’s students go in person every other week, the schedule should always be consistent and reliable.

5. Maintain continuous communication with students.

Communication is always key, but especially when teaching from a partially online classroom. Keeping a strong line of communication with your students is vital in ensuring your teacher-student relationships are strong, as well as your classroom community. You should consistently communicate with your students, both online and in person, whether it’s through one-on-ones, messages, or email.

Students like to feel seen and heard. Using a tool like Google Forms or another survey tool is an excellent way to communicate with your students while receiving feedback to better your classroom. You can ask about their favorite activity, their preferred way to learn, and what they believe could make your hybrid classroom better.

Always communicate with your students collectively and individually, encouraging them to feel safe to ask questions and take risks to improve learning. Whether verbal or through a creative technological tool, communication is essential to making your students feel connected.

Related:
5 ways to prep students for online learning success
A supe’s 6 back-to-school tips for virtual district leaders

Key points:

• Stay up to date on the latest trends about learning in the digital age

A 2019 Gallup study that included 128 schools and more than 110,000 students found that student engagement and hope were significantly positively related to student academic achievement progress in math, reading, and all subjects combined.

This is why it’s even more concerning that we continue to see student performance decline, with the National Assessments of Educational Progress, also known as the Nation’s Report Card, reporting that students in the U.S. had the largest average reading score decline since 1990, and the first ever score decline in math in 2022.

Knowing that many students are struggling with learning setbacks can feel overwhelming, but we’re hoping we can help you look at these scores as an opportunity to implement new instructional strategies that engage students, and therefore, help mitigate learning loss.

Blended Learning Increases Student Engagement

A learning environment we recommend to increase student engagement is blended learning, which combines a mix of face-to-face and online instruction for students. Gen Z is the first truly internet-dependent generation – getting their entertainment, information, and socialization online, oftentimes from social media. Therefore, to reach these students where they are, we need to evolve our instructional strategies.

This doesn’t mean teachers need to utilize Instagram Reels or TikTok, bur rather use technology strategically to engage students in their learning.

Plus, according to Education and Information Technologies, when compared to traditional learning, 73 percent of educators believe blended learning has improved student engagement. As former teachers that have transitioned into a school leadership role, we hope these four blended learning instructional strategies help you maximize student learning and engage them where they are.

Blended Learning Instructional Strategies

Our instructional model at Florida Virtual School includes evidence-based approaches, professional development for teachers, curriculum specifically designed for the online learning environment, and flexibility for students and families to communicate with teachers to individualize learning and provide support.

With this in mind, we recommend starting by enabling your teachers to connect with students and their families one-on-one to truly understand their needs. By starting with what students need, it will be easier to determine which blended learning instructional strategy will work best for your students.

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Once teachers better understand their student’s individual needs then it’s time to find the right mix of in-person and online learning for them. To do this, teachers will need to look at each lesson to determine which instructional approach (in-person versus online), as well as which instructional type (independent versus collaborative) makes the most sense.

It’s important to note, many blended learning instructional strategies may work for students, so teachers do not need to pick just one. In fact, we recommend using a variety of strategies to create the greatest impact with lesson plans.

1. Online Approach with Independent Type

If teachers want a lesson that allows students to go at their own pace, this blended learning instructional strategy is the way to go! Students will learn lessons via virtual class time or independent study, engaging with concepts independently with activities such as assigned reading, interactive videos, comprehension checks, and quizzes or exams. This strategy can help students who may need more time understanding a concept, as well as students who already understand and are ready to move to the next module.

2. Online Approach with Collaborative Type

This strategy allows students and teachers to interact online through synchronous activities such as live lessons, discussion boards, peer assessments, and more – leveraging the technology students know and love, while still enabling them to connect with each other.

3. In-Person Approach with Independent Type

Think about assessments, analyzing, problem-solving, and case studies for this instructional strategy, since it combines an in-person lesson with time after for the student to complete assignments via their own device – allowing them to go deeper in their learning. One reason we love this approach, is that even though students will be working asynchronously, if they have questions, they can raise their hand and a teacher can quickly assist.

4. In-Person Approach with Collaborative Type

With this instructional strategy, students learn concepts in-person while collaborating with other students to develop deeper connections to the concept. This mix creates a great environment for active learning, class discussions, debates, and projects.

The most important thing to remember when implementing new blended learning instructional strategies is that there is no universal way to do it. Whether you’re a school or district leader, an instructional staff member, or part of the support team, we hope that our experience and best practices can help you engage your students and focus on your most important goal: supporting your students to reach their full potential.

Students who attend online school today range from homeschoolers, to those seeking an alternative to in-person public schools, to learners who want to mix virtual schooling with in-person learning. Also, some districts have decided to keep an online option open for students who choose that method.

And while numerous parents and students have chosen to make online learning part of their education, the transition can be challenging. As someone who’s been involved with online schools for more than eight years, here are five common areas of concern and tips for how teachers and parents can navigate these challenges successfully.

Organization and Scheduling are Vital

While the idea of controlling the time and pace of a child’s education sounds freeing, this can be a major impediment for students unused to making their own schedule. Studies show that students’ executive functioning, the part of the brain that governs planning, organizing, and paying attention, is not fully formed until high school or later.

The first thing a parent or teacher should do for students new to online learning is create some type of calendar, whether online or physical. This will give learners a go-to spot to view what’s due, when, and allow them to organize. A planner can also help parents track their children’s tasks, especially if they have multiple children in different grades.

Also, students need a routine that includes both time and place. Make sure your students have all the tools they need, from computers to notebooks to headphones, and a place that signifies it’s time to learn. Headphones are vital, especially if the learner will share space with other children.

Don’t Forget Manipulatives and External Rewards

Online learning doesn’t have to be only screen time. Students should incorporate manipulatives into their routines, from younger students learning math basics to older students who may be completing lab work. Scan Pinterest or other social media sites if you need examples. Also, note that these tools don’t have to cost a lot.

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Like most of us, children are extrinsically motivated, so don’t forget to build in ways to say, “good job,” even if you just use stickers or a self-made chart that monitors their progress. Some children think that without the structure of a physical school, they aren’t learning. Create concrete ways to show students they are progressing toward a goal and that they are mastering skills.

Help is Always Available, If You Know Where to Look

It can be frustrating to hit a brick wall when you are learning online, so teach your learners where to get help if they need support. Teachers usually post office hours, libraries can be accessed virtually, and even message boards can help them ask questions of their classmates.

If your student frequently waits to reach an instructor during online office hours, teach them how to write their questions down or note them in online materials, so they will remember what they want to ask. Also, set realistic expectations by letting them know it is normal to ask for help.

As a parent, or even an online teacher, don’t forget about creating a support system for yourself. Chances are any question or roadblock you face has already been solved by someone, so seek out others who are taking the same journey.

Create a Support System for Yourself (and Your Child)

Even though this is online learning, that doesn’t mean students need to be on their computers all day, every day. Allow for breaktime activities to give the brain a break, and schedule in time for book reading or other activities that don’t require constant screen time.

Encourage your learners to interact with their classmates, either through chat options or meeting at physical locations. This will allow students and teachers alike to create their own communities.

Advocate for Your Child’s Needs

Just because the method of learning is different online, parents should remember to advocate for their children’s needs. This is true if you have a child with special needs who needs directions written out or advanced materials to stave off boredom. Even if your child doesn’t require an individual education plan, communicate their likes and needs to their teachers, information that you would probably share in a back-to-school night. Create a relationship with their online teachers and it will be easier to make small requests, such as extra materials or advanced tutorials.

Similarly, remember there will be times your child needs more support from you as a caregiver. Preview a complicated lesson to ensure you understand what’s being asked of the student, so you are ready for questions when they arise. And avoid the temptation to teach your children “the old way” if you learned math or another subject differently. This will eliminate confusion when a teacher uses a different method or requires an explicit answer on a test.

Adjusting to a new learning environment takes time. By applying the practices outlined above, you can ease the transition for your student and set them up to thrive.

Our school has been using online learning since the mid-1990s when we became one of the first to sign up for VHS Learning. Since then, we’ve expanded our use of the program and involved more students.

Here are four tips for success that I’ve learned along the way, and that other schools can use to get the most out of their online learning partners:

1. Involve all types of learners. Online learning isn’t just for high-performing students who want to earn more credits or expand their learning horizons. We use it for learners of all levels, and it can serve as a successful alternative for struggling students, allow students to explore specific areas of interest not offered at our school, and for those who want to take more Advanced Placement (AP) courses than we offer on campus. I always have several students who are interested in AP classes that we don’t offer at our school, but I also make sure that I keep half of the online semester elective courses open for students who are interested. I want to make sure that students at different levels have an opportunity to learn online as well.

2. Dedicate the space and time. Our students have a dedicated class period for online learning that either lasts for one semester (for an elective) or a full year (for an AP class). This effectively replaces whatever elective the student had previously registered for offline. About 50 percent of students using the online platform take AP courses and the rest are taking other courses.  

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When working on their online courses, students use a block of dedicated computers in our school’s media center, or they can also use iPads. When I proctor exams (not all are proctored), I get a loaner laptop and the students sit in my office and take the exam on that laptop.

3. Set early expectations.  When we approve students to take an online class, they receive a registration email and an instructional video. We accept 35 new students into the program every year; everyone else is placed on a waiting list due to demand. I keep a few spots open to accommodate the roughly 80-100 students who transfer to our school every fall. Right out of the gate, I explain to them exactly how the online classes work so they fully understand the course structure before they apply, get accepted, and start the program. I remind them all again in the fall, and we kick off the online program one week after we start school. During the first two weeks of class, I meet with the kids and review everything again, make sure that they’ve done the online student orientation and ensure that everyone can log in. Then, I go over it again, just to make sure that 1) there are no surprises, and 2) students are set up for success.    

4. Follow up and follow through. I especially like the automated weekly emails students receive from our online learning partner, letting them know where they are in terms of grades and progress. I use those emails to follow up with students and will send out “Excellent job, keep it up” messages to those who are doing well and request that those with grades of 75 or lower meet with me for an in-person check-in. It’s a good way for me to follow up and tap in to remind them that I’m still here, even if they’re doing well in the course.

Every so often a student will approach me for help with a course like AP Economics and I encourage them to work with their online teacher first. This is important because it teaches students how to advocate for themselves. I may also offer up helpful website links and/or post about the student’s question in the online learning program’s learning management system in case any other students who are taking the course have similar questions. Then if they’re still stuck, I can step in to help them figure it out and come up with a solution.

Schools or districts that are starting new online programs or that want to refine their existing initiatives can use these tips to increase the impact and successful outcome and fully leverage the power of virtual learning.

I have been teaching at traditional and charter schools for the past 18 years, and I remain encouraged by the determination of the students I serve, even when faced with the challenges we’ve seen over the past several years due to the pandemic.

It’s a humbling experience to be a part of their academic journey, knowing that in some way I played a role in their success. To provide positive and meaningful experiences for students makes me feel honored to be an educator.

Like many of my peers, however, the onset of COVID-19 showed me it was time to make changes in my career and put my needs first after nearly 20 years in the profession. I’ve always had a passion for traveling, exploring other cultures, and learning new things—part of the reason why I became a teacher.

Five years ago, I moved from my hometown of Lansing to Sweden, where I met my husband, a fellow adventure enthusiast. Since then, traveling has been a major part of our lives, though I quickly learned how challenging it can be to balance this passion and my career as an educator.

Teachers having the summer off is a misconception. Many times, summer break is spent putting together lesson plans for the next school year, prepping the classroom, attending professional development opportunities, and more.

When the pandemic hit and schools across the country shifted to virtual, I saw an opportunity to make a change that would support my career and love for traveling. I found Great Lakes Learning Academy, an online school serving students grades 6-12, and joined the team in 2020. At Great Lakes Learning Academy, I teach in a fully virtual format, which allows me the flexibility to live out two of my lifelong passions: teaching and traveling.

Great Lakes Learning Academy has opened my eyes to a new world, both literally and figuratively, as I am currently enjoying the beautiful views Turkey has to offer from my work desk. This summer, my family packed its bags and moved to Turkey for two months to introduce my two-year-old daughter, Ruby, to her grandparents for the first time. From across the world, I am teaching students in Michigan a full schedule of virtual classes, including pre-calculus and algebra 2. Teaching summer courses in addition to the traditional school year is a full-time job, but the fact that I can travel internationally and introduce my daughter to new cultures, all while continuing to work closely with students and having an impact on their academic, social and emotional growth, is incredible.

The past three years working at an online school have shown me that it’s possible to have a rewarding career while still following your personal dreams. For fellow educators who have an itch to experience something new, consider teaching at an online school as your next adventure.

Over 30 years ago, I took my first job in public education as a biology high school teacher, and instantly knew this was the career path for me. What solidified my passion for education were the “ah-ha” moments, or those moments when at first a student struggled, and then, after teaching them in a way they could relate to, seeing their eyes light up from the excitement of learning.

I worked in a variety of roles in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, from dean of students to principal to now overseeing the strategy and vision of one of the largest online public school districts in the nation. No matter my position, my priority has and will always be making sure we are doing what is best for students.

I have prepared for the first day of school in many roles throughout my career, and while the planning may seem overwhelming at times, I found that if you have a list of tasks to check off, the entire process runs smoother.

If you are a school administrator or education leader who oversees the vision, strategy and implementation of an online school, I have put together six steps that will help you start the year off strong and ensure that you are always doing what is best for your students and staff.

1. Establish and share online learning guidelines
First, I recommend asking yourself these key questions: Do you have safeguards in
place to ensure academic integrity? How will your staff communicate with students who aren’t submitting assignments? What is your grading policy?

If you don’t have answers to these questions yet, then it is critical that you set and
establish guidelines to ensure that you and your staff are on the same page when it
comes to these topics.

Other questions you should consider are: What is the ideal teacher response time? Do you want to mix synchronous and asynchronous lessons throughout the week? How often and when will students take exams? Do you want to create a website or resource center that helps families find counselor office hours, pace charts, and more?

Once you have the answers to all these questions, create written guidelines and
communicate them to your staff. Then, be available to answer any questions that may
arise.

2. Discuss communication guidelines
One of the great benefits of online learning is that engaging digital curriculum and tools allow for teachers to have more one-on-one interaction with students, providing teachers with better insights on how their students are doing. As such, the connection and rapport your teachers create with students and families can go a long way toward their success, which is why my second step includes developing and discussing communication guidelines.

For example, would you like for your teachers to communicate via video chat, text, call, or email? Then, would you like for your teachers to have set hours so that they can still communicate with students and parents while also allowing them to create boundaries to help with their work-life balance?

3. Discuss training schedules
Something I learned early on as the President and CEO of Florida Virtual School is that if your staff is set up for success and feels confident and prepared to
teach online, the results will show. Not only in terms of building a culture of care within
your school or district, but also when it comes to student success.

Which is why my third step should be one of your top priorities–ensuring your staff has the time to train, learn new systems, and develop their skills. Whether it’s professional development that helps teachers learn how to build strong connections with students in the online learning environment, or how to use the learning management system to their advantage, there are so many great resources for you to utilize.

4. Send a survey
As a school administrator, I know how important it is to create a supportive community of students, teachers, non-instructional staff, parents, and more. One way to build up that community and keep it strong is by sending out a survey at the beginning of the school year.

The survey can ask everyone what their greatest priorities are, what concerns they may have, and if any help is needed. By doing this, not only are you opening the door for transparent communication, but it also gives you a glimpse into what your priorities
should be and what you will need to address moving forward.

5. Meet with your staff
Then, once you send the survey, it’s important to meet with your staff to discuss their
concerns and any help that they may need. You can do this many ways, whether you
prefer a town hall with a Q&A session or individual team meetings.

Make sure you can address their concerns or priorities, and if you don’t know the answer to some of their questions yet, be transparent and let them know you will work to find them an answer.

I also recommend providing your staff with a way to communicate when they need help, such as a digital forum, chat, or recurring meetings. Make yourself available and actively listen.

6. Host regular check-in meetings
Your staff’s insight, knowledge, and feedback can help shape your online learning
program for the better, so it’s important to keep meeting with your team regularly
throughout the year.

Build a communication cadence with your direct reports to provide updates and foster
open dialogue and collaboration. I am a firm believer that good teaching and learning
happens when everyone works together, learns from each other, and shares knowledge and resources.