Idaho Digital Learning
Idaho Digital Learning is one of the larger state virtual schools in the country with 22,856 course enrollments in SY 2014-15. Idaho Digital Learning was established by the Idaho Legislature in 2001, and works in partnership with Idaho school districts to offer online choices that would not otherwise exist. Idaho Digital Learning provides eLearning expertise, virtual learning services and leadership in collaboration with Idaho school districts and policymakers to ensure all Idaho students’ online learning need are being met.
Projects and highlights:
- Launched in 2013, Code.org is a nonprofit dedicated to expanding participation in computer science by making it available to more schools. The vision is that every student in every school across Idaho should have the opportunity to learn computer science. The Idaho Technology Council (ITC), Idaho Digital Learning and Code.org have partnered to offer Idaho schools the opportunity for K-12 teachers to receive training and access to content and curriculum at no cost to the school districts. Idaho Digital Learning has also arranged for professional development credit through three universities in the state. Currently over 70 teachers across Idaho are offering Code.org curriculum in their classes reaching thousands of elementary, middle and high school students around the state.
- The goal of PTE Digital is to expand access to PTE programs of study through online delivery. The emphasis is placed on programs that provide a pathway to Idaho’s in-demand occupations and provide a living wage. And, individual courses should lead to dual credit or lead towards a nationally recognized industry certification.
- SkillStack is a micro-credentialing platform created in collaboration with the Idaho Division of Professional Technical Education offering students skill based mastery that equates to postsecondary competencies and/or industry certifications.
- Idaho Digital Learning’s professional development program includes a statewide blended learning consortium which offers online courses and content, training, planning services and technology to support Idaho school districts interested in implementing a blended learning approach. Idaho Digital Learning has four Professional Development Specialists that travel across Idaho to provide on-site teacher training and consulting services to help districts develop plans to support blended learning. Idaho Digital Learning has established several indicators of success: the number of courses developed, number of teachers trained and using the IDL courses in the classroom, consortium members and enrollment growth. The consortium is working toward gathering data pertaining to student growth and motivation.
- In partnership with SREB, Idaho Digital Learning has been the Idaho provider of the Collaborative Counselor Training Initiative (CCTI) modules. CCTI is a series of four professional development modules targeting counselors, administrators and teachers. CCTI helps schools establish a college and career ready culture within their schools. Participants are also equipped with tools that can help them provide a higher quality level of academic advising to their students. Modules can be taken in any order, are offered for free and are available for professional development credit.
- Pathways to Success is a course Idaho Digital Learning developed and delivers to Middle School students. In the course, students learn Digital Citizenship, Internet Safety, and other time management and workforce skills they will need in order to be successful in their education. This has become our #1 enrollment course. Many schools have a custom section of this course that allows for all of their students in a specific grade level to take the course on the school’s calendar and bell schedule.
- Hybrid course delivery offers synchronous lectures and lessons to students via video conference as an opportunity for additional instruction, assessment and practice in our traditional asynchronous courses. The blend of online and video conference provides authentic learning experiences in areas such as foreign languages, math and science. Hybrid courses foster an interactive learning environment enforced with rich online activities offering the best of both worlds.
- Biology with Language Foundations was built with the intent of expanding the reach of online learning to include English Language Learners. The curriculum includes read aloud’s in each piece of content, along with other language supports. A co-teaching model is in place, utilizing a Science Teacher to deliver the content and a Language Teacher to provide language assessment and support. In the first year pilot of this course, students in one school outperformed their f2f peers on the Biology EOC. Students at the other school were able to demonstrate significant growth on their state language assessment.
- Idaho has established funding for schools and districts looking to pursue a mastery education model for their students. Idaho Digital Learning already provides courses in a mastery delivery model through our Flex program. Idaho Digital Learning’s role in mastery and competency-based education in Idaho will be to continue to provide schools and districts access to tools, professional development, content and courses that can help them provide individualized learning for each of their students.
- State, regional and local professional development opportunities can soon be accessed by educational professionals seeking to find more opportunities. The State Department of Education has partnered with Idaho Digital Learning to create an easy to use one-stop location for conferences, workshops, events and courses available to teachers across the state.
- The custom school portals offer students the opportunity to access online courses, resources and more in a single easy-to-use location while allowing schools local control over their student’s online experience.
- Shadow Butte Elementary School selected Idaho Digital Learning to assist them as they offer elementary students an after school coding club. The students will engage in online academic enrichment, computer science enrichment activities and other fun programs. Students will have a variety of exciting activities creating games that support 21st-century learning.
- Idaho Teen GameLab (ITGL) is a fully online academic camp to provide career exploration opportunities in the exciting field of digital game design. Students play, build and showcase their games in a highly interactive and collaborative learning experience. ITGL is taught using 3D GameLab, a quest-based learning platform where students level up by playing educational “quests” at their own pace. ITGL is a way for students to earn one elective credit at their schools.
- The Idaho Digital Learning Tutor on Demand Service connects students to a tutor in the most convenient way possible – the student submits a little form requesting assistance and through text messages they are connected to a tutor specializing in the subject. Tutor on Demand offers Idaho Digital Learning students access to a tutoring session in just a few short minutes!
