iNACOL Hosts 2010 Virtual School Symposium in Glendale, AZ

GLENDALE, Ariz., Nov. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) is holding its annual conference, the Virtual School Symposium (VSS) on November 14 – 16, 2010 at the Renaissance Glendale Hotel & Spa. The theme is Online and Blended Learning: The Future of Education.

The VSS is the largest event in K-12 online learning – bringing more than 1,800 online learning experts and educators from every state and from around the globe to Arizona. K-12 online learning is an important innovation that is growing rapidly across the United States at 30% annually and there were an estimated 1,500,000 enrollments in K-12 online courses in 2009.

At the VSS, experts in K-12 virtual education 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.

Monday, Nov. 15th, there will be opening remarks by Susan Patrick, followed by a panel where students involved in online and blended programs will provide the their unique perspectives. The morning keynote address will be by Tommy Bice, Deputy State Superintendent of Education, Alabama Department of Education, titled, "Challenging Our Expectations: Creating a 21st Century Learning Environment."

A luncheon keynote panel facilitated by John Watson, Founder of Evergreen Education Group, and Michael Horn, Executive Director of Innosight Institute, will take place on Monday, Nov. 15th. There will be a book signing of the Expanded Edition of Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns immediately following the luncheon.

Tuesday morning, Nov. 16th, a keynote panel titled "National Perspective: Innovation, Reform and the Online Learning Imperative" moderated by Tom Vander Ark, partner in Revolution Learning, will feature James H. Shelton III, Assistant Deputy Secretary, Innovation and Improvement, U.S. Department of Education, and Governor Bob Wise, Alliance for Excellent Education and co-chair of the Digital Learning Council.

According to Susan Patrick, President and CEO of the iNACOL, "Blended learning is the future of education, allowing each student to have personalized learning experiences, competency-based pathways based on mastery of rigorous learning objectives and perform at the highest levels or take more time and keep pace. The use of online learning to work at their own pace within next generation learning contexts is going to revolutionize education in the years to come – and the innovations are happening quickly to help more students become college and career-ready."

Onsite VSS registration is closed, as the conference is sold out. However, press with valid credentials are welcome to attend free of charge.

For the complete agenda and more information, the conference website is located at www.virtualschoolsymposium.org.

About iNACOL

iNACOL is the International Association for K-12 Online Learning, a non-profit 501(c)(3) membership association based in the Washington, DC area with more than 3,700 members. iNACOL is unique in that its members represent a diverse cross-section of K-12 education from school districts, charter schools, state education agencies, non-profit organizations, colleges, universities and research institutions, corporate entities and other content and technology providers (www.inacol.org). iNACOL's mission is to ensure all students have access to world-class education and quality online learning opportunities that prepare them for a lifetime of success.

SOURCE International Association for K-12 Online Learning