1. ...you can learn anywhere in Big Sky Country!
May 12, 2010
Information Webinar for
Counselors
Presenting:
Robert Currie, Executive Director
Jason Neiffer, Interim Curriculum Specialist
2. Today’s Agenda
Introduction to the Adobe Connect Platform
Welcome from Robert Currie, MTDA Director
Introduction to MTDA
The 2011-2012 Program
Information for Counselors
Enrollment Information
8. House Bill 459/
MCA 20-7-1201
The purposes of the Montana virtual academy are to:
(a) make distance learning opportunities available to all school-age
children through public school districts in the state of Montana;
(b) offer high-quality instructors who are licensed and endorsed in
Montana and courses that are in compliance with all relevant education
and distance learning rules, standards, and policies; and
(c) emphasize the core subject matters required under the accreditation
standards, offer advanced courses for dual credit in collaboration with
the Montana university system, and offer enrichment courses.
9. MTDA Board
Positions named by MCA 20-7-1201
Current Board:
Bruce Messinger, Chair, Superintendent of Helena Public Schools
Dennis Parman, Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction
Sheila Stearns, Commissioner, Office of Higher Education
Barbara Fettig, Teacher, Billings School District
Bryan Duvall, Trustee, Geraldine School Board
Roberta Evans, Dean, The University of Montana School of Education
10. MTDA Staff
Robert Currie, Executive Director
Jason Neiffer, Interim Curriculum Specialist
Rayleen Hicks, Administrative Associate
Collier Kaler, Project Assistant
12. Deployment Schedule
** Course Enrollment for Fall 2010 available NOW!
April-May: Public Information Campaign, Teacher and
Course Developer Recruitment
May-August: Course Development and Teacher
Training
June-August: Pilot Test Run of MTDA Courses
Late August: Fall Course Open
13. Program Overview
43 courses available, including a mix of core courses,
electives and AP offerings
Courses available at 9-12 levels; K-8 courses available
in later years
Due to funding, 2010-2011 courses available free of
charge to Montana Students
15. MTDA courses are...
Asynchronous: courses are available via Moodle,
MTDA’s learning management system 24 hours a day,
7 days a week to meet a students available schedule
Taught by Montana Teachers: courses are taught by
licensed Montana instructors
Built to be exclusively online: courses are utilize e-
books, online text, and online multimedia
19. Meeting the needs of
students...
Eliminate a scheduling conflict
Graduate on time
Learn at a pace that is right for them
Take a summer school course conveniently from home
or another location
Recover course credit in a discreet manner
20. Meeting the needs of
schools...
Helping at-risk students
Assisting schools with unique staffing and curriculum
challenges
Customizing solutions to meet school needs
Providing leadership in researching and developing e-
learning solutions
22. MTDA teachers are...
Licensed in Montana
Employed by Montana school districts
Trained by MTDA on course development and online
pedagogy
Monitored and mentored by MTDA staff
23. District support of students
is critical...
Districts are responsible for enrolling students in MTDA
courses
Districts can assist students in providing resources and
assistance to support student success in the online
learning environment
25. Determining student
readiness
Profile of an online student - varies
Readiness assessment – principal, counselor, parent
and teachers
Determine student interest and motivation
26. Role of local facilitators
Dedicate time to assist online learners in your school
Willing to help students with time management skill
development
Willing to work with students to find solutions to
potential problems
Willing to work with students to locate resources for
ultimate success
27. MTDA is...
Developing online readiness materials; draft available
on our website
Creating sample courses
Committed to working with Montana students,
teachers, counselors and administrators to guarantee
responsiveness to student needs
28. Supporting AP Students
MTDA will complete audits for all of its courses
Schools will need to either administer AP tests locally
by becoming an AP site or partner with neighboring
district
32. Thank you for attending
today!
These slides and a recording of today’s presentation
are available at:
http://www.montanadigitalacademy.org
Robert Currie Jason Neiffer
Executive Director Interim Curriculum Specialist
406-243-4619 406-202-2761
robert.currie@mso.umt.edu jason.neiffer@mso.umt.edu
