Innovate, Adapt, and Grow - The WVS Podcast

ChatGPT is the latest viral tool for generating text, and many people are scrambling to come up with ways to address what this is going to mean for educators around the world. In this episode, we are joined by Mia Chmiel from CESA 9, Ellie Rumney from Rhinelander School District, Jamie Averbeck from Ashwaubenon School District, and Melissa Emler, the statewide systems coach for Universal Design for Learning from CESA 3.

Kim Edwards, Deanna Wiatt, and Ryan Ourada join this week's podcast to talk about how their rural districts got started with online education and how it has helped them to meet the diverse needs of their students. Music: Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Larissa Zompolas from WVS and Allyssya Gossett from Indiana Online join the podcast today to talk more about how online programs help students succeed when they need additional accommodations. Transcript Music: Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

New WVS partner, Pathways High School, joins the podcast this week to talk about their programming that offers project-based learning for students on their Milwaukee campus. Sarah Maule and Kim Taylor are our special guests. Episode Transcript

Cindy Hamblin, Director of the Virtual Learning Leadership Alliance, joins the podcast this week to discuss the state of virtual learning across the United States and trends we are seeing with virtual learning around the country. https://www.virtuallearningalliance.org/ https://www.nsqol.org/ https://www.qualitymatters.org/

April and May are big times for students to take Advanced Placement exams. Join WVS Associate Directors Annette Walascek and Jon Oestreich in this podcast discussion to share more information about how online learners can be prepared for these types of tests, and what they need to have in order to be successful. We will also share resources for AP exam test prep. https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/ https://www.albert.io/ Music: Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Just like in a traditional, brick and mortar, classroom, students participating in online learning environments need a strong system of support in order to be successful. While students may be physically isolated from their schools, caring adults are vital to students thriving in online courses. Sarah Engstrom-Yde from Hudson School District, and Todd Ostrader from Richland join the podcast to share their experiences about what kinds of support work well for students in their areas, and how the structure of support including coach, teacher, and administration really works to help students meet their potential. Music: Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Wisconsin Virtual School is launching a new pilot program this fall to support programs looking to offer virtual instruction to middle school students while still providing scaffolding to help keep students on track. Michele Nickels joins the podcast for a brief discussion about what the program will look like, the WVS approach to synchronous Middle School instruction, and where potential partners will be able to find more information. Learn more about our Middle School program at https://www.smore.com/up7rk Music: Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

The students and teachers in our Elementary pilot celebrated Read Across America week from February 28th through March 4th. In this episode, Shawna Stueck joins the podcast to share some of the fun authors and activities everyone enjoyed. Read Across America Week - WVS - 2022 Spirit Week Outline Career Day Community Helper Hats Magical Yet Writing Extension Activity  PJ and Fort Day Planning Resources Quackers Extension Activities - Writing and Illustration Music: Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In support of digital learning across the state of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Digital Learning Collaborative provides regular professional development opportunities for Wisconsin educators at low or no cost. In this episode, Jennifer Jaworski from iForward joins Meri and Jason on the podcast to talk about her upcoming micro course, Designing Online Experiences for Student Success. Registration/Info for the micro-course "What’s the appeal of Xbox? Exploring The Problem of Student Engagement" topic kickoff session (last slide is the recording):  Music: Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Over the past several years, we have seen more and more districts offering students the opportunity to attend school virtually. WVS has joined other programs in the state of Wisconsin by offering a limited pilot for elementary instruction in our state. In this episode of the podcast, we hear from members of the WVS elementary staff, Larissa Zompolas, Shawna Stueck, and Jerica Henkel as well as the parent of two students participating in the WVS elementary pilot through one of our partner districts. WDLC Getting Started with Elementary Online Learning Music: Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

UpGrade Media Arts Charter School in Milwaukee is a tuition-free public charter school in Wisconsin offering a unique 6-12 curriculum that integrates the multimedia arts in a project-based, hybrid learning environment. Students demonstrate leadership in social justice through works presented in film, television, radio, podcasting and recording arts. Mwanje and Jovan from UMA join the podcast this week to tell us more about the work they do and how the flexibility of online learning helps them accomplish the goals of their organization.

This year, WVS is trying a new way to engage learners of all ages and ability levels to explore other languages and cultures in our Cultural Cafes. Michele Nickels, Jason Schmidt, Meg Graham, and Lynn Neitzel join the podcast this week to talk about where the program started and what we hope to accomplish through this program.

The annual SLATE Conference in the Wisconsin Dells is an opportunity for technology leaders from across the state to engage in conversation and growth around the use of technology in the classroom. Through a grant from our WDLC partner, the Wisconsin eSchool Network, several of our staff and teacher consultants were able to attend. Linda Scheuerman and Patricia Israel join Jason and Michele from the WVS staff to talk about our main takeaways and highlights from the conference. https://slateinwi.com/ Music: Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Meri Tunison, Mia Chmiel, and Jason Schmidt discuss Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and its application to online learning. We’ll provide some background about what UDL is, learning that we as a WVS team are doing around UDL, and how it is applied in an online setting as well as in person. WDLC Educators & Program Support Sessions which include the micro-course topic kickoff sessions Designing for Accessibility (kicks off Jan 13!)

Michele Nickels, Annette Walaszek, Sue Dean, and Jason Schmidt have a conversation introducing WVS to those who may not have heard of us before. They talk about the history of the organization, some of the people we have met along the way, and how they have influenced the development of Wisconsin Virtual School over the last 21 years. Intro Music: Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license