Virtual Conference for K-12 Online Learning

Posted by Drexel University on September 24, 2018

When: Friday, October 5, 2018
9:00 AM-4:00 PM

Drexel University’s School of Education is proud to host the first of its kind virtual conference for K-12 online learning.

During this free online conference, attendees will hear from leading experts in the virtual education field on a variety of topics. A full list of presentations is listed below.

RSVP today to receive information on how to access the conference.

Conference Schedule

9:00 am – 10:00 am
“Bridging the Gap: Developing an Online/Blended STEM Education Program for the Virtual Learning Community”
Chris Harper, Demetrius Roberts, Joe Bonnette, Mark Slider
Chester County Intermediate Unit

Description:
The Chester County Intermediate Unit excels at innovative approaches, bringing brick and mortar ideas to the virtual learning community. Interest from school districts across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania inspired the CCIU to develop an online/blended STEM program. This session will focus on the methods, approaches, and technology utilized to bring this idea to life, so students across the state have equal access to the same rigorous STEM programs offered in traditional brink and mortar settings.

“Using Positive Psychology to Engage Learners in the Virtual Learning Environment”
April Brown
CAVA Virtual Middle School/University of Phoenix

Description:
Engage all your virtual learners with strategies that encourage students through a positive psychology approach. Change your student’s online behavior through strategies that promote and encourage positive interaction between teacher and student. The strategies can be implemented into your virtual classroom and ongoing collaborative discussion will be encouraged for participants.

10:00 am – 11:00 am
“The Power of Choice in New Teacher Training”
Diana Perney
PA Virtual Charter School

Description:
What is your superpower? Ours is the Power of Choice! During this session learn how the power of choice enables new and rookie teachers to grow and develop their skill set to meet their needs and the needs of their students.

“Bringing a Writing Center to a Cyber Charter School”
Hanna Lewis
PA Distance Learning Charter School

Description:
A writing center provides quality writing support and inquiry-based feedback while also promoting peer collaboration, benefits that many writing programs seek. The objective of this presentation is to describe our experience opening a writing center and explain how participants can implement a similar program within their schools or classrooms.

11:00 am – 12:00 pm
“Digital Curriculum Development”
Carolyn Faulkner-Beitzel
Esperanza Cyber Charter School

Description:
Teaching and learning today has far surpassed the brick and mortar four-walled classroom and today’s students want and expect an experience rich in technology and collaboration. Learn how designing an engaging digital curriculum rich with digital content and digital motivates students to learn.

“Parent Education: Equipping Parents as Educational Partners”
Jason Fitzpatrick
PA Virtual Charter School

Description:
How can we equip parents to be educated, effective partners in their child’s educational journey? This presentation will emphasize the role of the parent in the educational process and focus on how to develop strategies to enhance parents’ education and partnership.

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
“Virtual Learning: The Way It’s Been and the Way It’s Going”
Pat Diamond
Dechert, LLP

Description:
The approach to education has always changed over the years, and with change comes new trends. With families of the future being more tech-savvy, more eager to learn on-demand, and more data-driven than ever before, it’s time to rethink our approach to eLearning.

“Cooking Up Online Content”
Courtney Kofeldt
PA Leadership Charter School

Description:
An online learning module should generate a full classroom experience (even beyond it). This session will take you through the preparation and creation steps for creating meaningful online learning experiences.

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
“What is it Like to be a Cyber School Administrator?”
Scott Van Vooreen
Silver Springs – Martin Luther School

Description:
This presentation highlights the uniqueness of an online school administrator. The general themes explored are management, operations, communication, training, and capacity. An attempt is made to codify typical experiences of a cyber school administrator in this new and ever expanding modality.

“Online Learning Without a Learning Management System”
Meredith Roe
Catholic Education Western Australia

Description:
The Virtual School Network (ViSN) is Australia’s only virtual school to deliver online learning without an LMS. Instead, ViSN are using a suite of tools to create engaging lessons focussed on relationships, communication and collaboration. VISN’s partnerships model is underpinned by a network of schools and a new digital ecosystem.

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
“Yes You Can: Effectively Providing Cyber Education to Students with Disabilities”
Janet Sloand, PhD
Drexel University

Description:
This session will explore the challenges and opportunities associated with students with exceptionalities participating in cyber education. A discussion on why the number of students included in cyber options is growing as well as practical ideas and strategies for how to effectively include students with disabilities will be explored.

“Teaching the Digital Age Learner: Adapting Pedagogy for a New Way of Learning”
David Castaneda
Education Development Center

Description:
The Digital Age is changing the way we understand knowledge, ascribe authority, and make meaning. Online educators should adapt their pedagogical assumptions to teach in this new world.

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
“High Teacher Quality Leading to School Wide Success”
Lauren Michener
21st Century Cyber Charter School

Description:
With the increased awareness of school choice, the field of cyber education is growing. Ensuring a successful environment is challenging due to the lack of cyber-specific training. Cyber schools must prepare their teachers for success and maintain that while encouraging growth in order to ensure high teacher quality.

“Building Bridges: Critical Concepts of Collaboration in a Cyber Environment”
Janet Sloand, PhD
Drexel University

Description:
This session will explore the need for effective collaboration when supporting students in cyber education. Research on collaboration will be shared as a platform to build bridges that close distance gaps existing in virtual environments. Successful practices will be shared and attendees will leave with strategies that they can implement.

RSVP HERE: https://duo.online.drexel.edu/virtual-conference-on-virtual-education/

Contact Information

Allen Grant
215-895-6232
acg48@drexel.edu