Building Bridges to Better E-Learning View all upcoming webinars: Webinar sponsored by: Gerald Herbert/AP

Our Moderator Michelle Davis Senior writer, Education Week Digital Directions Blogger at Digital Education

Featured Guests Martha P. Rizutto Superintendent, Tarrant City Schools (Birmingham, Ala.) Donna Hutchinson CEO, Idaho Digital Learning Academy (Boise, Idaho)

This new special report aims to highlight the progress made in the e-learning arena, as well as the administrative, funding, and policy barriers that some experts say are slowing the growth of this form of education. Get it free at: E-learning 2010 : Assessing the Need for Change Special Report

Idaho Digital Learning Academy Building Bridges to Better E-Learning Dr. Donna Hutchison Chief Executive Officer Perrine Bridge, Twin Falls, Idaho

Idaho 8 th largest state 82,747 square miles 41% forest Population: 1.3 million 60 out of 115 school districts meet rural definition 37% of districts fewer than 500 students Clearwater, Idaho

Meet Dustin Rinker Rainbow Bridge. US 55 to Cascade, Idaho

Idaho’s Dilemma Dustin Rinker, 18 Valedictorian/Star Athlete Riggins, Idaho Population = 410 # of teachers = 8 # of students (7-12) = 67 Nearest City/College =120 miles

Created to serve as state virtual school in “…hereby created the Idaho digital learning academy, a school-choice learning environment…best technology with the best instructional practices.” “The goal …is to provide choice, accessibility, flexibility, quality, and equity..for students in the state.” “Provide for articulating the content … with college and university courses in order to award both high school and undergraduate college credit.” Background & History: IDLA (Title 33, Chap 55)

Idaho Digital Learning Academy Growth 50% per year ,300 enrollments 98% participation by Idaho districts Ranked #3 in 2008 by Center for Digital Education Ranked #3 in Keeping Pace in 2009 for enrollments per capita

Bridge 1: Working with Local Schools IDLA Board of Directors “Service” Local Policy Trumps IDLA Regional Rep in Local Community Free Blended Learning Resources 1 st School District to Require Online Learning Blaine County Bridge, Sun Valley, Idaho

Bridge 2: Properly Train Educators Local Site Coordinators – Required Training “Carrot” – eLearning Conference IDLA Teachers – Required & Ongoing Requirement – Bonus Pay Process – Annual Summer Conference IDLA “PD” – Free webinars for educators – Online workshops, PLCs, etc Lake Creek Bridge, US-95, Idaho

Bridge 3: Quality Online Courses “Build-Buy-Barter” Learning Objects Idaho Standards/Idaho Centric Best Practices in Online Pedagogy Online Developer Course Contract/Rubric/ Revision Cycle Student & Independent Evaluations/Reviewers Perrine Bridge, Twin Falls, Idaho

Bridge to the Future: Build Capacity Knowledgeable Educators Blended Learning Role of the State? – Online Teaching Standards – Online Endorsement – Online Courses – Online Requirement Quality & Accountability Osborn Bridge, Pine Haven, Idaho

Revisit: Idaho’s Dilemma Dustin Rinker, 18 “The only way for us to compete is to take our classes online.” 26 credits of AP/Dual Credit through online learning 21 st Century Learner Carroll College, Montana

Thank You! Dr. Donna Hutchison Chief Executive Officer Perrine Bridge, Twin Falls, Idaho

Copyright © 2010, SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved Online Lessons and Resources in Five Curriculum Areas Integrates Curriculum & Technology Aligned to State Standards Engages Students Promotes Critical Thinking Skills For use in both traditional, online, and home environments Learn more and register for your FREE subscription at Questions? Please contact Lee Ellen Harmer at SAS ® Curriculum Pathways ® is Fully Funded by SAS – Provided at NO COST to U.S. Educators & Students

Online Learning at Tarrant High School Dr. Marti Rizzuto Superintendent of Schools Tarrant City Schools 1318 Alabama Street Tarrant, AL

ACCESS Distance Learning The State of Alabama provides equal access to high quality instruction to improve student achievement through distance learning. Students are able to take classes online and through video teleconferencing in a classroom environment.

On Time Graduation ACCESS allows students to take classes online in order to makeup credits. Students can complete the work at home, before school, and after school. Students say that this helps them graduate on time and encourages them to stay in school.

Opportunity Distance Learning provides students the opportunity to take classes that are not offered at their base school. For example, a group of advanced students who want to take a higher level math class but the class is not offered at the base school can elect to take the class from another school across the state of Alabama.

Culturally Diverse Some students enjoy the interaction the virtual classroom allows them with students from different communities. This allows students access to a variety of different viewpoints. Students have gained confidence in their ability to compete with students across the state.

Friendships Students have formed lasting friendships with students and teachers via distance learning. Some teachers have visited their distance learning location and met their students personally.

Foreign Language Two years of a foreign language is required for graduation in Alabama. ACCESS allows students to take classes (i.e., foreign language) so they can fulfill the requirement for graduation. In small schools, financial constraints do not allow for a teacher to be hired for classes requested by only a few students.

Question & Answer Session Questions and Answers

This new special report aims to highlight the progress made in the e-learning arena, as well as the administrative, funding, and policy barriers that some experts say are slowing the growth of this form of education. Get it free at: E-learning 2010 : Assessing the Need for Change Special Report

An on-demand archive of this webinar is going to be available at in less than 24hrs. Please visit often, and send this link to your friends. Thanks for taking part today. We really appreciate it. The edweek.org

Copyright © 2010, SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved Online Lessons and Resources in Five Curriculum Areas Integrates Curriculum & Technology Aligned to State Standards Engages Students Promotes Critical Thinking Skills For use in both traditional, online, and home environments Learn more and register for your FREE subscription at Questions? Please contact Lee Ellen Harmer at SAS ® Curriculum Pathways ® is Fully Funded by SAS – Provided at NO COST to U.S. Educators & Students