What Is National Online Learning Day?
National Online Learning Day, September 15, recognizes the advantages and potential of blended and online learning programs and the accomplishments of districts, schools, administrators, teachers, staff, and students who use them. The day seeks to cultivate awareness of, and support for, an ever-growing community of educators and learners who participate in blended and online education. No matter your role within blended and online learning, it is time to celebrate!
Evolving technology is making education more manageable and convenient for every generation. The power of online technology has knocked down barriers and built bridges in education. Every day, school administrators and teachers are helping students craft a personalized learning experience with blended and online learning. National Online Learning Day brings nationwide recognition to these trailblazing participants.
How You Can Show Your Support
Show your support for blended and online learning by participating in National Online Learning Day! On September 15, share what online learning has taught you. On your existing social media channels, share the hashtag #OnlineLearningDay and this statement, "Online Learning has taught me to _______!" Fill in the blank and then tag three friends or colleagues to continue the celebration.
Activities to Celebrate National Online Learning Day
Here are seven additional ideas to fuel your celebration of National Online Learning Day:
- Connect: Join the Blended Learning for K–12 LinkedIn Group and connect with fellow blended and online teachers and administrators. Teachers, promote the use of a hashtag aggregator for students to see the story of #OnlineLearningDay unfold. Set up a video conference with other students and teachers from around the world. Reach out and become bold proponents of blended and online learning together.
- Learn: Set aside time to learn something new online. If you are new to blended and online learning, explore the topic and reach out to providers. Hear out a sales pitch and you’ll be amazed at what you can learn.
- Get blogging: Create a blog where students, teachers, staff, and administrators can share their unique views on blended instruction and learning online. Allow for creative integration of photos, videos, and graphics.
- Trail blaze: Can’t find what you want to learn about online? Think there is a lack of information on a topic? Is there a topic that can’t be taught online? Become a trailblazer and fill that niche. You don’t need to be an expert to start contributing to a subject! Consider starting a wiki where others can also contribute.
- Find an app for that: Research and try out a mobile app for classroom management and instruction. You’ll be amazed at what the app can do!
- Try IT: Teachers, no matter your subject, prepare an introduction on information technology and share with students the possibilities of this growing dynamic field. Show what goes on behind the scenes to make online and blended learning possible.
- Save the environment (and money too): Administrators, encourage your school district to go 100 percent paperless for the day. Teachers, create lesson plans around the fact that you are reducing your environmental footprint while saving valuable money by reducing paper use.