I am so excited.  Later this month I will be heading to the Virtual School Symposium being held in New Orleans by iNACOL the International Association for K-12 Online Learning.

This symposium will bring together over 2,000 representatives from national, state, district, private, and other virtual school programs to attend the premier K-12 online and blended learning conference. Experts in K-12 virtual education will have robust networking opportunities; learn about the latest trends, challenges and opportunities in e-learning; interact in session presentations; and gain access to the latest research and best practices reports.

I am especially excited because I will be able to get my hands on the book Lessons Learned in Teacher Mentoring: Supporting Educators in K-12 Online Learning Environments–with the chapter I co-wrote.  This coupled with the fact I’ve always wanted to visit New Orleans raises the excitement.

Just this week at the CELT Conference, I heard speakers mentioning personalized learning and much discussion revolving around common core, particularly in the Math/Science subjects.  So, I am looking forward to connecting with others, gathering in New Orleans, who are wrestling with these same issues.

One presentation I am looking forward to is: New Learning Models: Making Learning Personal which promises to discuss the lines of distinction between online, mobile, blended, and computer-based learning which are fading. What does this mean for education?  What will school look like when students can literally carry their learning with them on a cell phone – and when their “campus” is wherever they choose to work? Polices around competency-based learning are also on the rise. Learning is becoming less linear, more discovery and interest-based, and ever more personal. This session is being presented by Florida Virtual School’s Jill Dickinson, Director of Curriculum Management.

Then there is another session, Professional Development Needs for Blended Learning. This session will explore, via a panel, the challenges faced when a school implements blended learning, what professional development do teachers, administrators and other staff need to insure a successful implementation?

There are so many sessions that look so great.  I also plan to get myself down to the French Quarters, have some great food and hear some fabulous jazz. Stay tuned for more.