Online and Blended Educator Support

Digital Networking Session Archives & Resources 19-20

Networking, Support and Skill Development

The Wisconsin Digital Learning Collaborative (WDLC) invites you to review the recordings and resources from our Educator and Program support digital networking sessions and webinars this year. We also welcome you us in an upcoming professional learning and networking opportunity.


The idea behind the digital networking sessions was to share knowledge and resources to successfully and equitably implement high-quality online and blended learning opportunities for learners.


Facilitators for the session are educators who are partnering with the Wisconsin Digital Learning Collaborative and are working in the field of online and blended learning on a daily basis.

Title, Description, Facilitator(s), Archived Recording, Resources and and National Standards Connection

Quality Virtual Learning Time: Ensuring Equitable Outcomes for All Webinar

Description: Why might a school use Virtual Learning Time (VLT)? VLT could be used when school was canceled (inclement weather, professional development, flooding, illness etc.), as a planned day or even as a makeup day. Implementation of VLT does require an organizational growth mindset, team planning, buy-in, thinking through considerations to ensure quality access and equitable outcomes for all and to meet applicable federal and state laws. Join us as we discuss planning considerations and resources and share examples from the field of virtual learning time and planning processes in practice. According to the DPI VLT website, “The state administrative rule that governs school district standards (PI 8) was modified to recognize new and emerging methods of delivering instructional programming. PI 8 spurs innovative ways to engage students and teachers outside of the traditional day and place through virtual options for learning.”



Facilitator: Janice Mertes, Assistant Director of Content and Learning-Digital Learning, WI Department of Public Instruction


Guest School Leaders who have implemented Virtual Learning Time sharing voices from the field:


  • Random Lake: Sandy Mountain-Principal of Random Lake Elementary School & Michael Trimberger-Superintendent.
  • Neenah: Matt Anderson-Director of Instructional Technology
  • Northland Pines: Scott Foster-Superintendent & Harlan Leusink-Director of Instructional Technology
  • Westosha: Rachel Schemelin-Director of Instructional Technology


Archived Recording


Slide Deck


DPI Virtual Learning Time Website

Time Management

Description: Inherent in the flexibility online instruction offers is the question of how best to manage one’s work time. This session will discuss some of the practices which can make your online work time more efficient – scheduling, grading, communicating, and record keeping.


Facilitator(s): Jennifer Jaworski - Instructor and Team Leader for iForward and Kari Murto - Instructor and Team Leader for iForward


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: A6


Archived Recording


Slide Deck

Parent Night

Description: Parent night conversation and sharing ideas on how to do an "open house" online.


Facilitator(s): Sue Dean-Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS) Math Teacher


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: A8, B1, D7


Archived Recording


Slide Deck


Parent Guide to Online Learning

Accessibility - What Does It Mean for Online Learning

Description: How do we make/ensure that our courses are accessible in multiple different means to our students; looking beyond just "colors" and alt text to review our courses for accessibility for diverse learners. Principles from Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Quality Matters (QM) will be incorporated.


Facilitator(s): Lynn Nietzel, Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS) World Language Teacher & Kyle Vanderkin - Instructional Designer, Blackhawk Technical College


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: A9; B2; F1, F2, F4, F6; H1, H3


Archived Recording


Slide Deck


WDLC Case Study Special Education Online

Positive Reinforcement

Description: Join us as we share and discuss how we use memes for positive reinforcement. What is a meme? According to the dictionary it is "a humorous image, video, piece of text, etc., that is copied (often with slight variations) and spread rapidly by Internet users."


Facilitator(s): Sue Dean-Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS) Math Teacher and Sharon Zeisler-WVS World Language Teacher


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: B3, D7


Archived Recording


Slide Deck

Communication Tools

Description: Tools and tips for connecting with students both within Genius/Buzz and external tools.


Facilitator(s): Meri Tunison - Madison Virtual Campus Teacher Leader


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: A8 and B1


Archived Recording


Slide Deck

Teacher Consistency & Efficiencies

Description: Roundtable discussion to brainstorm ideas for teacher consistency and efficiencies to build consistent and quality online and blended learning experiences for learners. Multi-faculty collaboration to design online general studies courses is a great article to review prior to attending to get us all reflecting.


Facilitator(s): Jon Oestriech, Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS) Associate Director & Online Social Studies Teacher & Student Orientation facilitator and Quality Matters Master Reviewer & Facilitator


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: H5 and H6


Archived Recording


Slide Deck

Gen Z - Not Just Digital Natives

Description: Activist, Dedicated, Pragmatic. Anxious and Self Conscious. These are just a few of the characteristics of Gen Z, our students today. Come discuss what makes this generation tick and learn some effective teaching strategies to turn their fears into courage and their strengths in superpowers.


Facilitator(s): Lily Stasik, English Teacher Kenosha Unified School District


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: B3, C5, F7


Archived Recording


Slide Deck

Exemplar Practices - Course Welcome, Overview and Introduction

Description: What were the stumbling blocks in your Start Here & Welcome folders at the beginning of semester 1 that can be improved for semester 2? Did you incorporate a welcome video? Do you include a unit overview for troublesome areas? Do you have a Tips and Tricks section?


Facilitator(s): Sue Steiner, Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS) and Kiel Math Instructor


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: D6


Archived Recording


Slide Deck


Link to WDLC Exemplar Practices and Teacher of the Year Videos

Kenosha eSchool Counseling and Advisory

Description: How do the counseling and advisory functions work to support students at Kenosha eSchool? See how we use counseling and advisory services to start students off right, monitor and mentor their progress, and intervene when the going gets tough.


Facilitator(s): Lily Stasik, English Teacher & Kim Gorman, Counselor for Kenosha eSchool


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: C3, C4, D4, D6, D7, E1


Archived Recording


Slide Deck


A Guide to Mentoring Online Learners

Workflow - Productivity Tips and Tricks

Description: This session will discuss teacher productivity when grading and communicating with students. In addition to considering courses from FLVS, eDynamics, etc., we will also be discussing Middlebury World Language courses. Join us and contribute your tips for workflow efficiency. Coaches, this would be a great session to attend if you've ever wondered about the "teacher-side" view of grading and feedback.


Facilitator(s): Annette Walaszek, Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS) Associate Director & Online Science Teacher & Student Orientation facilitator and Sharon Zeilser-WVS World Language Teacher


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: A6 & A8


Archived Recording


Slide Deck

Coaching Online Learners

Description: For coaches, Local Education Guides, mentors and teachers. Focusing on supporting students with successful online learning mindsets and strategies, working with multiple support staff, and tools available to provide personalized communications


Facilitator(s): Meri Tunison, Madison Virtual Campus Teacher Leader


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: A5, A6, A8


Archived Recording


Slide Deck


Mentor Guide

Growth Mindset - The Language of....

Description: Small changes that can be made in the way we communicate information to ensure we are using and instilling a growth mindset for our online learning community (Based on the work by Dweck, incorporating research from Hattie


Facilitator(s): Lynn Neitzel and Meg Graham-WVS World Language Teachers


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: D1, D4, C4


Archived Recording


Slide Deck

Turnitin

Description: Turnitin is known for its expertise in tracking for academic integrity, but it has much more to offer! Learn how to incorporate Turnitin into your Buzz assignments and gradebook as well as how to use its grading and feedback efficiencies.


Facilitator(s): Jennifer Jaworski - Instructor and Team Leader for iForward


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: A6


Archived Recording


Slide Deck


WDLC Brief Academic Integrity in Wisconsin Online Programs

What Next Feedback


Description: Overview of research-based feedback tips for teachers. This session will discuss feedback from teachers to students, as well as student to teacher feedback. As we begin to think about semester 2 sections, this is an excellent time to consider how we can best give students the help they need to be successful.


Facilitator(s): Annette Walaszek-WVS


Teaching Strategies in a Digital Environment Connection: Giving appropriate feedback, but this will also connect to student motivation.


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching Connection: D5


Archived Recording


Slide Deck

Collaborate Ultra Desktop Conferencing Tool for Connect Time Hours- to establish rapport, provide support and build your online community of learners.

Description: Overview of collaborate ultra tools and features to build skills and comfort for use in upcoming professional learning and for connect time office hours. Each WVS Teacher consultant is provided a unique space to connect with their online learners, parents/guardians and coaches and schools. This space is yours to build your support and community of online learners. You do have the ability to record and use this space for guest speakers, parent-teacher conferences, clubs or other groups, provide work space for collaborative projects etc. Thanks for joining us to discover the possibilities.


Facilitator(s): Michele Nickels-WVS


Teaching Strategies in a Digital Environment Connection: The "Virtual Instructor," introduction to online learning and establishing rapport (presence) in the virtual world, creating online community. In addition, using this conferencing space can be a great student motivator and is modeling tech tools.


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching Connection: A3, B1, B3, C1, C3, D4, H1


Archived Recording


Slide Deck

Academic Integrity

Description: Overview of academic integrity tool Turn It In and new Buzz integration which streamlines use. The session will highlight the Turn It In Originality Report for teachers and understanding what it means.


Facilitator(s): Jon Oestreich-WVS


Teaching Strategies in a Digital Environment Connection: Academic integrity and feedback


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching Connection: E2


Archived Recording


Slide Deck


WDLC Brief Academic Integrity in Wisconsin Online Programs

Connecting Students Discussions and Peer Help

Description: Several teachers have been inviting students, via a Discussion board, to share email addresses to connect and take advantage of Peer Help. This session will review best practices for connecting students as well as successes in and barriers to these connections.


Facilitator(s): Annette Walaszek-WVS


Teaching Strategies in a Digital Environment Connection: Creating an online community and establishing rapport in the virtual world. This will also connect to time management, teacher tech tools, and student motivation.


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching Connection: C1, C2, C3, C4


Archived Recording


Slide Deck

WDLC EdReady Math and English Webinar

Description: What is EdReady? EdReady is a Math or English readiness system to help students avoid the time and cost of remedial courses in colleges. Your students may use EdReady to: · Determine their readiness to take college-level Math or English courses. · Follow a personalized study path to master specific concepts in Math or English · Prepare for specific standardized exams, such as the ACT®, SAT®, Accuplacer®, or Compass® math and English content. · Help manage and achieve academic and employment goals. EdReady is based around the concept of “goals” - what students want to achieve. Within those goals, students take an assessment or two to understand where they stand in relation to their goal and then pursue a personalized study path based on their diagnostic results – enabling students to study and develop the necessary skills and knowledge to achieve their goals.


Facilitator(s): Dawn Nordine, WVS Executive Director and EdReady Team


Archived Recording


Slide Deck

Being a Successful Online Student: Orientation and Meet Online Students

Description: Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS) invites you to join us for an Online Orientation to your environment and an opportunity to meet other online students from across the state. WVS students can use the Collaborate Ultra video conferencing tool (like Skype, Google Hangout or Facetime designed to be used with Chrome Browser) from their computer or mobile device. This is the same tool that WVS teachers use to hold "Connect Time" hours each week to provide students with real time support and connect them with their peers in their online course. This session will:
  • Provide you with an overview of how to use Collaborate Ultra and other online resources
  • Provide you with the opportunity to meet others taking online courses and perhaps the same course as you from around the state
  • Review online course expectations and provide students with tools to evaluate their readiness and the technology they are using
  • Present useful tips and helpful hints (students we need your voice here)


Facilitator(s): Michele Nickels, WVS Director


Slide Deck

WDLC Webinar: Virtual Program or Virtual Charter-Considerations and Support Resources to Plan for Quality

Description: As the Department of Public Instruction website states “Online learning takes many forms and has many names. There are online courses, programs and schools, which may be called online, virtual, cyber, or blended education, to name a few. In Wisconsin, a virtual charter school is a specific form of online learning.” Our experts from the field will define virtual program and virtual charter. They will also highlight similarities and differences, as well as considerations for either and the great resources and expertise that exist for the planning, development, implementation and evaluation. You will also hear testimonials from practitioners in the field who are actively managing and growing quality opportunities for learners.


Facilitator(s):

Janice Mertes, Assistant Director Teaching and Learning-Digital Learning, WI Department of Public Instruction


Guest Education Leaders & Practitioners from the Field:


  • Dawn Nordine, Executive Director Wisconsin Virtual School
  • John Jacobs, Executive Director Wisconsin eSchool Network
  • Sarah Hackett, Director Wisconsin Resource Center for Charter Schools (WRCCS)
  • Michael Bormett, DPI Assistant Director, School Management Services
  • Cassi Benedict, DPI Charter School Consultant, School Management Services
  • Jennifer Demrow, DPI Open Enrollment Consultant, School Management Services
  • Patty Williams, DPI Assistant Director, Special Education
  • Margaret McMurray, Special Education Consultant, Special Education
  • Jill Gurtner, Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District (MCPASD) & 21st Century eSchool blended learning online school
  • Jenny Seymour, Wausau Area Virtual Program (WAVE)
  • Jason Pertile, Phelps School District


Archived Recording


Slide Deck

Productivity Tools


Description: Join us for an overview of templates as time management and productivity tool. We will review both student and enrollment templates in Genius and talk about feedback templates in Buzz.


Facilitator(s): Michele Nickels-WVS


Teaching Strategies in a Digital Environment Connection: Time management from the teacher perspective, feedback and student engagement or motivation.


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching Connection: A8, D4, D5,



Archived Recording


Slide Deck

Blended Learning


Description: Blended learning is an avenue to personlization in the classroom. I just completed my Masters Capstone project on blended learning and want to share not only the data to support a blended environment, but also strategies to help you begin to blend. I'll also share what happened when I began to blend my AP Chemistry classroom.


Facilitator(s): Jennifer Owen-Kiel Science Teacher & Sue Steiner-Kiel and WVS Math Teacher


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching Connection: D2 & D3

Archived Recording


Slide Deck

The Virtual Instructor

Description: This session will look at the role, responsibilities, and possibilities for the online instructor. The session will look at how the instructor can meet the professional responsibility of monitoring student learning and adapting instruction for helping learners.


Facilitator: Ken Sajdak, current Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS)-Cesa 9 Teacher and Wisconsin Digital Learning Collaborative (WDLC) Professional Learning Facilitator. Ken has a rich background in the digital space with a wide range of educational experiences and we encourage you to take a look at his detailed bio.


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: Standard A: Professional Responsibilities and Standard B: Digital Pedagogy


Slide Deck


Archived Recording

Accountable Learner-Learner Interactions

Description: How discussion board templates, that include a pre-built rubric, are being utilized by like-subject teachers to build course consistency to enhance student performance course success.


Facilitator(s): Jon Oestreich, Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS) Associate Director and Online Social Studies Teacher and Orientation facilitator and Quality Matters Master Reviewer & Facilitator.


Guest(s): Marlee Mueller, Jenny Mueller, and Andrew Jagow-WVS Online Science Teachers


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: D1 and D6


Archived Recording


Slide Deck

Time Management

Description: How do you adapt your life for emergency remote learning, online learning, and blended learning to keep it from consuming your personal life. How can we share strategies to support our students?


Facilitator: Ken Sajdak, current Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS)-Cesa 9 Teacher and Wisconsin Digital Learning Collaborative (WDLC) Professional Learning Facilitator. Ken has a rich background in the digital space with a wide range of educational experiences and we encourage you to take a look at his detailed bio.


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: Standard A: Professional Responsibilities, Standard B: Digital Pedagogy, Standard C: Community Building, Standard D: Learner Engagement


Slide Deck


Archived Recording

Establishing Rapport

Description: One of the concerns teachers have about online learning is how do you maintain rapport with our students online. Strategies and ideas to keep students first.


Facilitator: Ken Sajdak, current Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS)-Cesa 9 Teacher and Wisconsin Digital Learning Collaborative (WDLC) Professional Learning Facilitator. Ken has a rich background in the digital space with a wide range of educational experiences and we encourage you to take a look at his detailed bio.


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: Standard A: Professional Responsibilities, Standard B: Digital Pedagogy, Standard C: Community Building, Standard D: Learner Engagement, Standard E: Digital Citizenship


Slide Deck


Archived Recording

Agilix Buzz Help

Description: Teachers and Coaches, do you know about the Buzz Help feature? Helpful documents for both students and teachers are available and, as updates occur, this is a great place to find the latest information and screenshots for Buzz. You can also sign in to the Help Center and contribute to discussions about how to make Buzz better!


Facilitator(s): Annette Walaszak, Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS) Associate Director and Online Science Teacher and Student Orientation facilitator


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: A4


Slide Deck


Archived Recording

Feedback

Giving Feedback

Description: Strategies and practices for providing feedback that will help your students move forward and grow with your feedback.


Date & Time: Thursday, May 14th, 2020 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.


Facilitator: Ken Sajdak, current Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS)-Cesa 9 Teacher and Wisconsin Digital Learning Collaborative (WDLC) Professional Learning Facilitator. Ken has a rich background in the digital space with a wide range of educational experiences and we encourage you to take a look at his detailed bio.


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: Standard A: Professional Responsibilities, Standard B: Digital Pedagogy, Standard C: Community Building, Standard D: Learner Engagement


Slide Deck

Archived Recording

Academic Integrity

Description: One concern of every teacher is to make sure that students are doing their own work. This session will discuss a variety of tools and strategies to help deal with the perceived problems of plagiarism.


Date & Time: Thursday, May 21st, 2020 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.


Facilitator: Ken Sajdak, current Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS)-Cesa 9 Teacher and Wisconsin Digital Learning Collaborative (WDLC) Professional Learning Facilitator. Ken has a rich background in the digital space with a wide range of educational experiences and we encourage you to take a look at his detailed bio.


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: Standard A: Professional Responsibilities, Standard B: Digital Pedagogy, Standard D: Learner Engagement, Standard E: Digital Citizenship


Slide Deck


Archived Recording

Student Motivation

Description: Students need to be engaged to learn. What are some strategies for maintaining student engagement and are their tools that can help?


Date & Time: Thursday, May 28th, 2020 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.


Facilitator: Ken Sajdak, current Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS)-Cesa 9 Teacher and Wisconsin Digital Learning Collaborative (WDLC) Professional Learning Facilitator. Ken has a rich background in the digital space with a wide range of educational experiences and we encourage you to take a look at his detailed bio.


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: Standard A: Professional Responsibilities, Standard B: Digital Pedagogy, Standard C: Community Building, Standard


Slide Deck


Archived Recording

Creating Online Community

Description: 21st Century skills claim that collaboration is a critical need for today’s students. While “group” work or collaboration may create some difficulty, there are strategies and tools that can be used to provide opportunities for collaborative learning.


Date & Time: Thursday, June 4th, 2020 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.


Facilitator: Ken Sajdak, current Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS)-Cesa 9 Teacher and Wisconsin Digital Learning Collaborative (WDLC) Professional Learning Facilitator. Ken has a rich background in the digital space with a wide range of educational experiences and we encourage you to take a look at his detailed bio.


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: Standard A: Professional Responsibilities, Standard B: Digital Pedagogy, Standard C: Community Building, Standard H: Instructional Design


Slide Deck


Archived Recording

Tech Tools

Description: OK, I’m getting it. Are there tools that might be worth considering in my digital classroom? Tools that support teacher productivity and/or creation tools to use with learners.


Date & Time: Thursday, June 11th, 2020 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.


Facilitator: Guest educators (To be announced) led by Ken Sajdak, current Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS)-Cesa 9 Teacher and Wisconsin Digital Learning Collaborative (WDLC) Professional Learning Facilitator. Ken has a rich background in the digital space with a wide range of educational experiences and we encourage you to take a look at his detailed bio.


National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: Standard A: Professional Responsibilities, Standard B: Digital Pedagogy, Standard C: Community Building, Standard D: Learner Engagement, Standard E: Digital Citizenship, Standard H: Instructional Design


Slide Deck


Archived Recording

Please join us in upcoming opportunities

The Wisconsin Digital Learning Collaborative (WDLC) Dynamic Schedule of professional learning has details on upcoming digital networking sessions, webinars and professional learning opportunities like:

Wisconsin Digital Learning Collaborative


As a statewide collaborative effort, WDLC shares knowledge and resources with K-12 schools, districts, and agencies who want to start or improve their online and blended learning practice. WDLC offers quality planning strategies, connections to implementation solutions, and peer-led learning opportunities that empower schools and districts to meet a wide array of learner needs for choice, flexibility, and instructional support.


Stay up to date on upcoming events and resources by signing at the bottom of the WDLC home page.