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Category: Professional Development

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Evaluating and Maximizing Professional Learning: An Interview with a Researcher

This blog digs into the key findings from two MVLRI research studies exploring educator engagement with professional learning (PL), their beliefs about implementing what they’ve learned, and insights into continuing to tailor PL to meet...

Creating a Culture of Continuous, Collaborative, and Personalized Professional Learning

Not only is the professional learning happening within Michigan's Grand Ledge Public Schools continuous and collaborative, it is also rooted in their strategic plan, reflective of their beliefs about student learning, and personalized to fit...
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Street Data and Empathy: Revealing What Educators Truly Want from Professional Learning

What do educators actually WANT out of their professional learning experiences? This is a question my colleague Danielle, who contributed significantly to this study and the writing of these blogs, and I tackle most days....

A Framework for Empathy: 3 steps leaders can follow to center educators’ Needs and Wants

Part 1 of this blog series digs into the results of a survey on what educators need and want from their professional learning experiences. Here in Part 2, we show you the framework we used...

Effective Practices in Professional Learning Course Design: Course Content

Based on direct input from learners via end-of-course survey data, Michigan Virtual’s Instructional Product Development team gleaned the effective practices outlined in this blog in order to improve their course development and better meet the...

Effective Practices in Professional Learning Course Design: Assessments, Format, Structure, and Appearance

Based on direct input from learners via end-of-course survey data, Michigan Virtual’s Instructional Product Development team gleaned the effective practices outlined in this blog in order to improve their course development and better meet the...

Modernizing Professional Learning, Modeling Effective Practices for Student-Centered Learning

Based on direct input from learners via end-of-course survey data, Michigan Virtual’s Professional Learning Services team has modernized their professional learning for educators while modeling effective practices for student-centered learning....

Teaching for Today & Tomorrow: 2021 Takeaways

On Tuesday, February 23, 2021, hundreds of educators and administrators participated in the Teaching for Today & Tomorrow conference presented by Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) and Michigan Virtual. Mitch Albom shared a...

Connecting Teachers: A Community of Practice

True collegial groups among teachers, in any context, still remain the exception and not the norm in many schools — especially for online teachers....

Why Online Teachers NEED Ongoing Professional Development

In our last post on instructional leadership, we touched on the issue of professional development (PD) and the necessity of providing online teachers with ongoing training, support, and PD. This post will expand on the...

New year’s resolution? Earn SCECHs for reading blogs, listening to podcasts, and participating in Twitter chats

Teachers, I’d like to introduce you to my new friend, 2019. We’ve just met, but I have the feeling we’re going to get along splendidly. Here’s one way you and 2019 can do the same:...

Micro-credentialing & the dawn of competency-based professional development

When it comes to our students, we strive to foster growth mindsets and implement competency-based learning in our classrooms. But when it comes to our own professional development, we so often accept “sit and get”...

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Unlocking the Next Level of Science Teaching

I’m not ashamed to admit it — I’m 34, married with three children and I still like to play video games. While the Sega Genesis gave birth to my addiction, I do vividly recall huddling...

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Teaching in Beta

My colleagues, Kelli Hixon and Stacey Schuh, regularly facilitate blended learning regional events across the state. In most cases, they’ve partnered up with intermediate school districts (ISD’s) throughout the state to help host and promote...

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The All Too Often Neglected Teacher Superpower

Throughout my childhood, I had teachers I connected with in a way I will never forget, while others have faded in my memories. What is the extra “something” those teachers possess? I think I’ve finally...
Angela Mellott

Celebrating student learning at Brandywine

Exploring a blended learning project from start to finish....

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