By Jeff Simmons, IDLA Superintendent  A common frustration shared by parents and students of first-time online learners is that students need to learn both the course content and the online learning process. In the online classroom, students learn the same concepts to the same depth as in the physical classroom, but how they learn these concepts is different. One key difference between the online classroom and the physical classroom is that, in the online classroom, students need to be more self-directed. A physical school has a bell schedule that tells students what class to attend and w ..read more

Meet Josie Lisle, a determined 17-year-old with deep roots in Bruneau’s ranch life. This student spotlight showcases Josie’s journey from high school to pursuing an associate’s degree in science alongside her diploma, thanks to the Dual Credit courses from IDLA in subjects like History, English, and Psychology. Josie’s entrepreneurial spirit is highlighted through her successful project, a roping event for cancer research, raising $10,000 in memory of her loved ones. With aspirations in horse chiropractic and dentistry, Josie plans to blend her passion for ranch life with her career ambitions ..read more

By Jolene Del Re, Director of Curriculum Did you know that almost every industry uses semiconductors?  They are hiding where you would least expect it.    Check out this video highlighting Rekluse, a Boise-based company that designs and manufactures performance clutch products.  Their mission is to improve riding experiences for power sports enthusiasts worldwide and they can’t do it without semiconductor technology. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or someone simply interested in what makes our modern devices tick, the world of semiconductors has something for everyon ..read more

By Ryan Gravette, IDLA Director of Technology This was one of my favorite quotes I saw this week at the #ASUGSV conference. At first, it is funny, but as you continue to think about it in the context of AI and the future, it resonates with what @EthanMollick and @ReidHoffman have reiterated in different ways. On one side of automation of AI, it empowers us to be better and more productive. It gives us the freedom to take on activities we enjoy more and replaces the tedium of repetitive activities. AI’s ability empowers us to be more creative and improve what we do. It changes humanity, but lik ..read more

By Jolene Montoya, IDLA Director of Curriculum Did you know right here in Idaho something super cool is happening? It’s all about semiconductors, the tiny things inside electronics like your phone and game consoles. And guess what? You don’t need to live in a big city to be part of this awesome tech world. Even if you love the outdoors and think about becoming a farmer or a rancher, there’s a place for you in the semiconductor industry! Check out this video highlighting Owyhee Produce, an Idaho farming company, that shows how Idaho is becoming a hotspot for semiconductor tech.  The video ..read more

By Jeff Simmons, IDLA Superintendent During the legislative session each year, getting caught up in the negative is easy. We quickly spotlight issues that are not resolved or not resolved to the preference of some. However, with the negatives in each session, there are also positives, and many positives are drowned out in each session by the noise focused on the negative. At IDLA, we are grateful for the work of our legislators this year. House Bill 452 (H452) has updated the formula which calculates IDLA’s funding each year. I used a previous blog to outline the benefits of this new funding f ..read more

Originally posted by: Digital Learning Collaborative, March 21, 2024 Written by: John Watson Now that we’re a few weeks removed from DLAC, it seems like a good time to reflect on what we saw there. I’ll start with a key caveat, though—at a conference with hundreds of sessions and more than 1700 attendees, any person’s view is going to be incomplete. With that in mind, here are three key takeaways: 1. The digital learning “core” is strong, innovative, critical, and growing. What do I mean by the core? I’m referring to online schools, hybrid schools, and online courses. These are the s ..read more

The system we use at IDLA to develop our team culture encourages each team member to be “outward-minded.” Being outward-minded defines how each of us looks at others. When I look at another person, do I see them as someone valued and important? Or, when I look at another person, do I see them as an obstacle and someone less important than I am? Looking at others as valuable and important is critical to accomplishing our mission as the state virtual school. Each of our districts and schools is equally important. Our students are individuals with goals, dreams, and promise. As an educator, I nee ..read more

Simon Sinek has a well-known Ted Talk about starting with why. For those who haven’t seen it, I would encourage you to watch it before reading the rest of this post. For those who would like a quick summary, here goes… When asked what you or your company do, you usually start with what you do, before sharing how you do it. You might include why you do it, but most of what you say will focus on the what. Simon Sinek encourages us to start with the why. The why is where we find meaning. We do things because we believe in them. Our why gives us purpose. How we do what we do reflects that purpose ..read more

In this IDLA Student Spotlight, we are thrilled to feature Brenna McDonald, a remarkable 7th grader at the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind. Brenna has been navigating her educational journey with determination and enthusiasm through IDLA online classes. Brenna’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of accessible education, and the limitless possibilities that come with embracing technology in learning. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from IDLA students who are redefining what it means to be a learner in the 21st century. The post Student Spotlight: Brenn ..read more