Idaho Digital Learning Alliance
Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA) is one of the larger state virtual schools in the country with over 31,000 course enrollments in SY 2017-18. IDLA was established by the Idaho Legislature in 2001, and works in partnership with Idaho school districts to offer online choices that would not otherwise exist. IDLA provides eLearning expertise, virtual learning services and leadership in collaboration with Idaho school districts and policymakers to ensure all Idaho students’ online learning need are being met.
Projects and highlights:
- Partnerships: In order to bring high quality programs and resources to Idaho students, IDLA collaborates with many national, state and local partners. Nationally, IDLA has many partners that they work with in order to bring best practices and high quality resources back to our programs that serve our students. Within Idaho, IDLA partners with educational agencies, organizations, and institutions to advance opportunities throughout the state.
- Code.org: IDLA works in partnership with Code.org, STEM Action Center, Micron Foundation, and Idaho Technology Council to promote the training of educators and the Hour of Code, which celebrates Computer Science. These partnerships provide educators throughout K – 12 an opportunity to receive professional development in the area of Computer Science. Educators are invited to participate in different opportunities depending on their grade level and certification areas.
- CTE Digital: In conjunction and partnership with the Division of Career Technical Education (CTE), IDLA is developing CTE Digital. Giving students a choice – whether it’s career or college – is crucial. The goal of CTE Digital is to expand access to CTE programs of study through online delivery. The emphasis is placed on programs that provide a pathway to Idaho’s in-demand occupations and provide a living wage. And, individual courses should lead to dual credit or lead towards a nationally recognized industry certification.
- SkillStack: A micro-credentialing platform created in collaboration with the Idaho Division of Professional Technical Education offering students skill based mastery that equates to postsecondary competencies and/or industry certifications.
- Professional Development: Idaho Digital Learning Alliances’s professional development program includes a statewide blended learning consortium which offers online courses and content, training, planning services and technology to support Idaho school districts interested in implementing a blended learning approach. IDLA has Professional Development Specialists that travel across Idaho to provide on-site teacher training and consulting services to help districts develop plans to support blended learning.
- Collaborative Counselor Training Initiative (CCTI): In partnership with Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), IDLA has been the Idaho provider of the CCTI modules. CCTI is a series of four professional development modules targeting counselors, administrators and teachers. CCTI helps schools establish a college and career ready culture within their schools. Participants are also equipped with tools that can help them provide a higher quality level of academic advising to their students. Modules can be taken in any order, are offered for free and are available for professional development credit.
- Intel Teach Affiliate: INTEL Teach assists K–12 teachers in all subjects engage students with digital learning, including digital content, Web 2.0, social networking, and online tools and resources. INTEL Teach professional development empowers teachers to integrate technology effectively into their existing curriculum, focusing on their students’ problem solving, critical thinking, and collaboration, which are precisely the skills required in the high tech, networked society in which we live. These courses are offered entirely online via IDLA’s Buzz system.
- ENL Courses and Training: IDLA has partnered with the Idaho State Department of Education to create access to and expand resources for English Language Learners as students, teachers and paraprofessionals. These courses provide content to support the needs of students new to the English language. IDLA requires a Learning Coach from the district to coach the students through the navigation of the LMS and their course. Professional Development is provided from IDLA to the Learning Coaches.
- Course Transfer: IDLA has partnered with the Idaho State Board of Education to develop Course Transfer. Course Transfer is a place where students, past, future or current, can understand how courses taken and credits earned will transfer between in-state institutions. http://coursetransfer.idaho.gov/index.aspx
- Apply Idaho: IDLA in partnership and collaboration with the Idaho State Board of Education designed and developed Apply Idaho. Apply Idaho is an online application providing students the ability to submit a free online common application to any or all of the eight Idaho public post-secondary institutions. The website was developed to increase access to college admissions, reduce the expenses associated with college application fees, and allow public colleges and universities to more easily obtain necessary admissions information to complete the college application process. The ultimate goal is to increase the college going rate by reducing barriers.
- Portals: IDLA programs, designs and builds individualized online portals for use in education, government and industry. The custom portals offer students, educators and other users the opportunity to access online courses, resources, and more in a single easy-to-use location while allowing local control over their student’s online experience. The portal platform implements single-sign-on (SSO) for Idaho users, allowing for users to sign in once and have access to a multitude of resources, including registration to courses as well as direct SSO access to the professional development courses, student courses, and resources.
- eTutoring: IDLA’s Tutor on Demand Service connects students to a tutor, an IDLA teacher, in the most convenient way possible – the student submits a form requesting assistance and through text messages they are connected to a tutor specializing in the content area. eTutoring offers students access to a tutoring session in just a few short minutes!
- eMentoring: IDLA in conjunction with the Idaho Education Association and the State Board of Education designed eMentoring. eMentoring is an on demand Mentoring system that connects users to a Mentor. The mentee submits a form requesting assistance in questions related to Career and College Readiness.
- EdReady: IDLA works with NROC to utilize EdReady with all IDLA students. Currently IDLA has EdReady Math integrated into two math courses: College Prep Math and Career Math. IDLA also annually offers ACT / SAT test preparation through boot camps.
