Opinion
Classroom Technology Opinion

Navigating the Digital Shift

By Tom Vander Ark — October 10, 2013 2 min read
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By: Carri Schneider & Tom Vander Ark

In August of 2012, we embarked on a journey with John Bailey and Digital Learning Now! (DLN) to chart a course for leaders who were exploring new digital
learning territory. Over the last year we brought 11 contributing authors on board. These thought leaders in online and blended learning--representing
organizations like iNACOL, CompetencyWorks, The Learning Accelerator and Public Impact--expanded the expertise and experience of our crew.

The result of our year-long exploration was the release of eight white papers and complementary infographics in the DLN Smart Series, each addressing a key implementation challenge at the intersection of
digital learning and the Common Core.

Today we are pleased to announce the release of the ebook “Navigating the Digital Shift: Implementation Strategies for Blended and Online Learning.” The ebook brings together updated versions of
the papers in the series, a new introduction and conclusion, a welcome from Gov. Jeb Bush and a series of forewords from respected leaders in the field.

The ebook is divided into two sections--the first section offers a full Blended Learning Implementation Guide 2.0 that walks leaders through key decisions
and considerations to create a successful blended learning program in their school or district. The second section provides details on policy implications
related to blended and online learning with separate chapters related to competency-based learning, student data, improving teaching conditions &
careers, and online learning myths.

We’re excited about the resource we are offering to those eager to expand access to high-quality, personalized digital learning, and we’re happy that
others are too.

Jeb Bush, Governor of Florida from 1999-2007 and Chairman of ExcelinEd, says that Navigating the Digital Shift “provides policymakers and education leaders
the tools they need to use digital learning as a catalyst for improved student achievement.”

AASA 2013 Superintendent of the Year Dr. Mark Edwards believes the collection “provides meaningful, practical, and poignant advice as well as commentary
regarding the move to college and career ready standards associated with the shift to personal online learning and digital resources.”

Rhode Island’s Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Deborah Gist describes the book as an “invaluable resource that will help educators
re-imagine what our schools can look like and what our students can accomplish.”

Please share your comments, feedback, challenges and success stories at: smartseries@gettingsmart.com. We
also encourage and appreciate your interactions with our organizations on our websites, blogs, and social media channels. We also hope to see you at
upcoming events like the ExcelinEd National Summit on Education Reform and iNACOL Online and Blended Learning Symposium, where we enjoy hearing your stories and learning how we
can continue to inform your successful implementation efforts.

Download the free ebook for various devices and in multiple formats at:
www.digitallearningnow.com/dln-smart-series/
, download for free in the iBookstore or Google Books, or purchase for 99 cents from Amazon.

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The opinions expressed in Vander Ark on Innovation are strictly those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions or endorsement of Editorial Projects in Education, or any of its publications.