Indiana is witnessing a fundamental shift in its educational landscape. Digital learning tools, blended learning, and the use of AI technology have increased steadily. The number of students enrolling in full-time virtual schools has seen a significant rise. There has also been a steady increase in school districts offering full-time virtual options within their own districts. As school leaders, you are navigating the complex demands of this new reality, which requires more than just hardware—it demands Olympic-level ideas and unprecedented innovation to serve students involved in online learning effectively.
As more students and schools embrace online learning, the need for shared expertise and leadership makes DLAC (The Community Advancing Digital Learning) essential. DLAC is a one-stop shop for everything related to digital learning. It offers online and in-person conferences, affinity groups, research, and webinars to create opportunities for deeper dives into topics like student engagement, teacher recruitment and professional learning, funding, and other issues of practice and policy.
The Power of Collaboration
In support of DLAC and its initiatives, local action has helped it gain strength. Indiana Online serves as the State Affiliate and hosts four meetings per year. Recently, the DLAC Indiana State Affiliate brought together virtual and in-person representatives from approximately 36 online schools and programs across the state. Participants engaged in critical conversations that move beyond simple implementation and into strategic excellence, discussing topics such as:
- Policy and Compliance: Navigating the unique regulatory and funding hurdles tied to online education in Indiana.
- Engagement Strategies and Program Management: Sharing innovative methods to ensure student participation, mental health, and administrative efficiency in a virtual setting.
- AI and Student Use: Exploring how technologies like MagicSchool AI (which sponsored the collaborative luncheon) can be leveraged responsibly to personalize instruction, increase teacher efficiency, and prepare students for a tech-driven future.
These collaborative meetings allow principals, administrators, counselors and technology coaches to share what’s working, troubleshoot challenges, and forge a shared vision for Indiana’s digital learners.
Year-Round Professional Training for Digital Leaders
Just as an Olympian trains continually, the DLAC network provides year-round professional development. The State Affiliate model ensures that the conversation doesn’t end when the in-person meeting does.
DLAC offers school leaders and their teams multiple avenues for continuous collaboration:
- Routine Meet-Ups: Regular virtual and in-person gatherings to address current issues.
- Asynchronous Discussions: Through the Indiana State Affiliate page on the DLAC website, members can engage in ongoing conversations—asking questions, getting immediate feedback, and collaborating on topics of interest regarding virtual education. This essential feature allows year-round collaboration without the constraint of time or travel.
- Webinars and Events: In-person and online opportunities designed to support learning leaders.
DLAC: Your Partner in Educational Innovation
As the prevalence of online learning grows, DLAC serves as a crucial partner in elevating our efforts from “adequate” to “Olympic.” This organization is important because it:
- Drives Innovation: Provides a dedicated space to explore innovative technologies and instructional design that specifically address the unique challenges of remote and blended learning.
- Ensures Equity: Focuses on strategies for student engagement and ensuring equal access for all students, regardless of their learning environment.
- Empowers Leadership: Fosters the professional development necessary for leaders to enhance their skills and effectively lead complex, rapidly expanding digital programs.
For every Indiana leader seeking to begin or transform their online learning options into models of excellence and equity, DLAC is a vital resource. Get involved with the DLAC Indiana State Affiliate today. Let’s harness this network to create the most engaging, inclusive, and effective digital learning experiences for every student in the state.
Get Connected: To join the DLAC Indiana State Affiliate and participate in year-round discussions, email Natalie Freeman at nfreeman@indianaonline.org to be added to the communication list.
