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Building Community in a Virtual Learning Environment: A Backstage Pass
Thursday, August 29, 2024 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT
Presented by Dr. Ryan Fuller, Director, Cobb Virtual Academy (GA); Sarika Simpson, Vice President of Instruction, Edmentum; and Emily Kroutil, Teacher Training Specialist – Teacher Quality, Georgia Virtual School (GA)
Sponsored by Digital Learning Collaborative
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Explore best practices of online community building in digital learning environments. This high-energy edWebinar aims to equip attendees with innovative strategies for fostering engagement and connection for all stakeholders involved in virtual learning. Learning objectives for this session include:
- Identify key components of successful online learning communities
- Explore creative approaches to student engagement in digital spaces
- Develop strategies for adapting community-building techniques to diverse learner groups
The presenters participate in a “Community Remix Challenge,” where they collaboratively construct a framework for online engagement. Starting with a foundational “backbeat,” they layer on elements addressing various stakeholders, from students of all grades to families to teachers. They contribute ideas in real time, creating a rich, multifaceted approach to community building. Information presented includes:
- Core principles of online community development
- Innovative tools and techniques for virtual engagement
- Strategies for tailoring community-building efforts to different age groups and learning contexts
By viewing, you gain fresh perspectives on digital learning, expand your toolkit of engagement strategies, and connect with fellow educators passionate about creating vibrant online learning spaces. Join this energizing session and get a backstage view of the future of digital education! This recorded edWebinar is of interest to K-12 teachers, librarians, school leaders, district leaders, and education technology leaders.
About the Presenters
With over 20 years of K-12 online learning experience, Dr. Ryan Fuller is passionate about providing high-quality online learning opportunities to all students. He leads a team of 15 full-time staff and 200+ adjunct teachers at Cobb Virtual Academy—the Cobb County School District’s supplemental online learning program. He chairs the Georgia Online and Blended Learning Collaborative, a group of online learning leaders in the state that connects frequently to share ideas and updates.
Sarika S. Simpson is a seasoned Senior Leader known for her strategic thinking and impactful contributions across various domains. Currently serving as the Vice President of Instruction at Edmentum, Sarika has successfully driven revenue growth, increased profit margins, and scaled business operations to support significant growth year over year. With a focus on academic excellence, she led instruction to impressive student passing and completion rates, coupled with high student satisfaction. Committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, Sarika initiated, chaired a steering committee, and established five Employee Resource Groups, showcasing her dedication to fostering an inclusive workplace. Her commitment to social justice is evident through her completion of the Innovation for Equity Senior Leadership Fellowship and service as a former Board Member for Wellness4Educators. Over the years she has received the Woman on the Move Award for making positive change in the education profession, the Crystal Ruler Award for leadership development and student achievement, and the Services Innovator Award for innovation in the professional services field.
Emily Kroutil is dedicated to supporting online teachers and ensuring a successful transition to online teaching by coordinating professional development, observation cycles, and onboarding as the Teacher Training Specialist at Georgia Virtual School. Her enthusiasm lies in sharing her knowledge and equipping educators with the necessary strategies and resources to captivate students and create dynamic online learning experiences.
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
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