Home : Agenda

Day-by-Day Agenda

Schedule subject to change.
All events will be held at the Downtown Louisville Marriott unless otherwise noted.

Schedule of Live Webcast Sessions

Sunday, November 4, 2007
12:00 noon - 5:00 pm Registration Open
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Pre-conference Sessions
  Transforming Learning Management Systems into Effective Learning Environments - Todd Hitchcock & Matt Wicks
  This session will explore the latest trends and tools for using an LMS effectively. It will explore LMS options on the market today, learning principles addressed by the LMS, use of data and how to create an effective environment by applying the LMS. Learn the latest in LMS tools, trends and best practices for effective uses of LMS as explored by experts.
  Online Teaching: Professional Development and Quality  -  Allan Jordan
  This session will address the skills and background for online teaching and how to define a high quality online teacher. The session will address professional development needs for online programs in ensuring online teachers have the skills they need to succeed.
  Starting a New Online Program: Strategies and Lessons Learned  -  David Glick
  Starting an online program as a part of a school or as a separate school is a many-faceted challenge, even for seasoned educators. This session will give you the opportunity to work with practitioners from around the country. Topics will include program design, professional development, student recruitment, curriculum decisions, policy development, and more. This session is designed for educators who are new to virtual schooling or in their first two years of their program.
  Online Science and Virtual Labs, with Demonstrations - Kemi Jona
  Participants will learn about the broad range of practices and technologies available for implementing high quality science learning in online courses. The workshop will feature extensive hands-on demonstrations and test-drives of various labs. An expert panel will discuss the range of virtual lab approaches, current and emerging trends, and new technologies. Special guest Tom Matts, Director of AP Course Audit at the College Board, will address use of labs in online AP science courses.
  State Virtual School Leaders - Donna Vakili, Linda Pittenger & Jamey Fitzpatrick
  This session will focus on the unique needs that statewide programs face such as legislation, funding, curriculum, sustainability, partnerships, and policy. Using roundtables and small group discussions, participants will have an opportunity to dialog, collaborate, problem solve, and network with their counterparts at state virtual schools. Statewide directors and associates are encouraged to attend. The moderators for this session are Jamey Fitzpatrick, President and CEO of Michigan Virtual High School; Linda Pittenger, Director of Secondary Education and Virtual Learning for the Kentucky Department of Education; and Donna Vakili, Executive Director of the Idaho Digital Learning Academy.
  Research on K-12 Online Learning - Cathy Cavanaugh
 

Virtual schools improve learning outcomes for students when program managers look deeply and reflectively at their practice and act proactively in implementing promising practices. This preconference session brings evaluators, researchers, and practitioners together for a conversation about decision-making based on qualitative and qualitative program data. Researchers and evaluators for this session are Robert Blomeyer and Cathy Cavanaugh (Organizers) with Tom Clark, Kristie Clements, Niki Davis, Rick Ferdig, Julia Parra, Kerry Rice, Saul Rockman, Ray Rose, Jamie Sachs, Bill Tucker, Jenna Vega & John Watson.

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Exhibitor Set-up
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm NACOL Members Annual Meeting
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm NACOL President’s Welcome Reception
   
Monday, November 5, 2007
7:00 am - 5:00 pm Registration Open
7:00 am – 8:00 am   Continental Breakfast
7:15 am - 7:45 am New Comers' Session 
8:00 am – 8:30 am Symposium Welcome and Address by CEO of NACOL, Susan Patrick
  What does the future of learning look like? Susan Patrick will provide a national and global perspective on the trends in education, expectations for students, and what strategies states and schools need to have in place. Online learning is providing a revolution across the globe for the best teachers to reach the most remote students. All schools can deliver on the promise that every student should have access to the best education available regardless of their neighborhood or geography, and online learning offers a solution for expanding opportunities, global collaboration and 21st century skills.
8:30 am - 9:30 am Creating Online Learning Evangelists - Opening Keynote by Jackie Huba
  Author Jackie Huba knows how to take your organization’s best people and energize them into influential, loyal and enthusiastic evangelists highlighting your courses, products and services.  Jackie’s research of best practices into passionate “customer” loyalty will change the way you think about getting the word out on your programs.  Learn how to ignite a fire and spread the word with your teachers, parents and students, while transforming your own organization.  Take advantage of the energy and evangelism to help change the future course of education.
9:30 am – 10:15 am Round Table
10:15 am – 6:15 pm Exhibit Hall Open
10:15 am – 10:30 am Break
10:30 am – 11:30 am First Break-out Sessions
 
  • Training the Tipping Point: How a Little Staff Development and Training can Make a Big Difference
  • Applying Education Theory for Online Curriculum Development and Delivery that Engages Learners
  • Online Education’s Role in the Schools of Tomorrow
  • Show Me A New State-Led Model:  Missouri MoVIP Innovation
  • Collaboration and Communication = ONLINE SUCCESS!
  • The College Board AP Audit: Online Courses
  • Course Design Using Open Educational Resources
  • Training, Mentoring, Evaluating, and Retaining Online Teachers
  • Standards -and Performance-Based Assessments Enhance Successful Outcomes in Online Classes
  • Informing Policy & Practice: Research on the Best Practices of Virtual School Teachers
  • Developing Online Credit Recovery: Helping schools help students
  • Interoperability and Technical Standards for Online Courses - Why So Important?
  • Explore How New eLearning Tools Support Dropout Prevention and Credit Recovery
11:30 am – 1:15 pm Luncheon - Keynote by Gene Wilhoit
"Why Online Learning is Important to States"
  Gene Wilhoit is the Executive Director of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) in Washington, DC. CCSSO is the leading organization of our state superintendents, commissioners and the heads of the state departments of education in the United States. Gene will provide an important national and state perspective on the most important issues in American education today and how online learning and virtual schools are solutions. Gene will share his broad vision for online learning and the future of education.
1:15 pm - 1:45 pm Networking with the Exhibitors
1:45 pm - 2:45 pm Second Break-out Sessions
 
  • One Off or One On?: Life After Virtual Educator Training
  • Differentiating the Online Curriculum
  • The Virtual Leadership Un-session: A lightening round, tag-team, “speed dating” discussion where YOU choose the topics
  • Tools of the Trade: Free Online Tools to Enhance Interactivity in Your Online Course
  • Quality in Virtual Learning Programs: The Quest for Common Measures Program
  • Understanding the Challenges of Implementing a Hybrid Foreign Language Program for Middle School Students
  • Hybrid Discipline Summer School
  • “Cyberschool” Myths and Realities: Toward a Better Understanding of Full time Programs
  • Maximize Course Development with External Content
  • Using Blended Learning to Extend the Reach of Online Curriculum into the Traditional Classroom
  • The Virtual High School of Mexico's Largest University
  • Cart Before the Horse: When Practice Proceeds Policy
  • Online Science Courses: Meeting the Demand for the Scientific Process
  • State Virtual School Report
2:45 pm - 3:00 pm Break
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Third Break-out Sessions
 
  • Developing and Maintaining Online Instructor Training and Professional Development Program to Ensure Instructor Success and Aide in Instructor Retention and Growth within Kaplan Virtual Education
  • Ongoing & Effective Online Professional Development for Virtual School Instructors
  • Collaborative Models of Online Course Development
  • Making Real World Connections through Virtual Learning Environments
  • Solving the PIECES to the Puzzle of Student Engagement
  • Improving Virtual Schools: A Collaborative Research Partnership
  • Innovative Programming for Students At Risk
  • Blending Virtual Learning with Face-to-Face Teaching
  • Marketing & Outreach: Create Brand Awareness for Your Virtual Program on a Shoestring Budget!
  • Debunking the Top Myths About Online Learning with Research
  • Providing Success for At-Risk Students
  • Virtual vs. Online: Rigor, Relevance & Relationships
  • Curriculum Pathways®: Expanding Online Teaching & Learning Opportunities
  • Minds Alive! Watch How Interactive, Compelling, 1:1 Content Makes Learning Come Alive
4:00 pm - 4:15 pm Break
4:15 pm - 5:15 pm Fourth Break-out Sessions
 
  • What Does It REALLY Take to Teach Online? New Research and Emerging Strategies for Effective Professional Development
  • Reinventing the Wheel: Survey Results on the Economics and Practices of Online Course Development
  • Keeping Pace with K-12 Online Learning: A Policy and Practice Review
  • Safe Uses of Social Networking Tools with Students
  • Successfully Building Community in the Online Classroom
  • APEC Cyber Academy: Evaluation of International Learning Programs and Strategies for Enhancement
  • Promoting 21st Century Skills in an eLearning Environment
  • Implementing Authentic Science Labs in the Virtual Classroom
  • Improving Student Success: Assessment for Learning
  • What We’ve Learned About Creating Quality, Engaging Online Math Content
  • Artificial Intelligence in the Virtual Classroom
  • Dynamic Growth and Change: the State of Texas’ Ride into the Future with Online Learning
  • Educating the Whole Child – Online
  • Individualizing Online Student Learning with Content Management
5:15 pm - 6:15 pm NACOL Reception in Exhibit Hall
6:30 pm VSS Networking Dinner
   
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
7:00 am - 10:00 am Registration Open
7:00 am – 8:00 am   Continental Breakfast
8:00 am - 8:45 am Keynote Speaker
8:45 am - 1:30 pm Exhibit Hall Open
8:45 am - 9:00 am Break
9:00 am - 10:00 am Fifth Break-out Sessions
 
  • Online Instructor Continual Improvement through Professional Development, Mentoring, and Coaching
  • Evaluating Online Courses
  • Attributes that Enable a Virtual High School to Go to Scale
  • Deepening Learner Understanding via Games and Simulations in Online Courses
  • Ensuring Academic Integrity in Your Online Classroom
  • What Works in K-12 Online Content Area Teaching
  • Mirror, Mirror…How Does Your Program’s Self-Reflection Match Your Data?
  • Reach Them to Teach Them
  • State Oversight and Online Program Management: Lessons From the Response to the State Audit of Online Programs in Colorado
  • Experiencing Mathematics
  • Disruptive Innovation: The Role of Online Learning in Challenging Traditional Educational Paradigms.
  • Pros and Cons of Open Source and Vendor Provided Solutions
  • So Far, Yet So Close: Building Online Communities
  • Virtual Savvy: Growing School Leaders From Within
10:00 am - 10:30 am Networking with the Exhibitors
10:30 am - 10:45 am Break
10:45 am - 11:45 am Sixth Break-out Sessions
 
  • Virtual Schools and the School Library
  • E-Learning: Where the Rubber Meets the Road
  • Online Learning: Are We Really Ready?
  • Two Different Worlds: Seeking Value for Online Learning in Second Life
  • Utilizing Academic Coaching to Assist Struggling Online Learners Succeed
  • Recent Research on Online Teaching and Learning: Implications for Practice
  • Special Education in Today’s Virtual Schools: Research and Best Practice
  • Students Speak: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Virtual Schools
  • Virtual Schools and High School Reform
  • Co Teaching: Two heads Are Better Than One
  • What Are They Doing and How Are They Doing It?
  • The Curriculum Fair Un-Session: A lightening round, tag-team, “speed dating” discussion where YOU guide the discussion.
  • Effective Science Labs in the Virtual World
  • NACOL Programs & Services
11:45 am - 1:15 pm Networking Luncheon
  By popular demand, NACOL is offering “Birds-of-a-Feather” Roundtables. Participate in one of dozens of discussions and conversations on specialized topics ranging from management issues for full-time programs to online professional development to online course development and more. These roundtables will provide you with an opportunity to discuss your specific interests and concerns with fellow attendees, share and gain insight from their experience and knowledge and make valuable new contacts and connections.
1:15 pm - 1:30 pm Break
1:30 pm - 6:00 pm Exhibit Hall Closed for Dismantling
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Seventh Break-out Sessions
 
  • Instructional Perspectives of Best Practices: Successful Strategies in Virtual School Courses
  • New Mexico Learning Network: A PK-20+ Collaborative Approach
  • Developing an Institutional Approach to Section 508 Web Accessibility for Online Courses
  • Online Student Mentor Program: Easing the Transition
  • High Stakes State Testing: NCLB Virtual Schools
  • “Flying High”—Aeroscholars: An Online Aviation Science Experience
  • Click to Learn: Online Credit Recovery For “At-Risk” Students
  • Preparing Teachers to Teach Online
  • Effective Virtual School Communication and Student Orientation
  • Expanding Your Virtual Mission
  • Meeting the New Michigan Online Learning Requirement
  • Changing the Course of Education through Online Teacher Professional Development: The Tale of Large-Scale Statewide Project
  • Connect the Dots: Alabama and ACCESS
2:30 pm - 2:45 pm Break
2:45 pm - 3:45 pm Student Panel and Closing