iNACOL to Host Regional Conference on K-12 Online Learning in Milwaukee

VIENNA, Va., March 30, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) is hosting a Midwestern Regional Professional Development Symposium (Symposium) on K-12 Online Learning on April 4th at the Wyndham Milwaukee Airport & Convention Center, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information on the symposium, please visit: http://www.inacol.org/events/regional_symposium.php.

The iNACOL Symposium's theme is, "Navigating Online Waters" and explores research, practices and policies in the field of K-12 online learning, provides important networking opportunities in the field, and offers thought-provoking sessions for leaders looking to help shape the future of education. Conference attendees are experts in online and blended learning in K-12 education, including school administrators, teachers, school board members, researchers, and policy leaders sharing best practices in K-12 online learning as well as the latest research, trends and solutions for personalizing education for students.

Susan Patrick, President and CEO of iNACOL, is delivering the opening keynote, "A National Perspective of Online Learning: New Trends and Initiatives" providing trends driving the future of education across the nation and globally. Patrick said, "The question is not whether education is changing, but how quickly we can revolutionize and transform our current model through online and blended learning. This conference is designed to help K-12 education leaders in the Midwestern region understand important trends and new models for next generation learning."  In addition, she will highlight the Next Generation Learning Challenges grant initiative – using learning technologies to dramatically increase student success by creating next generation models for personalized, student-centered, and competency-based learning approaches.

Other plenary sessions include "A Parent's Perspective" keynote by Rose Fernandez, the Managing Director of the National Parent Network for Online Learning (NPNOL), and a students' perspectives panel. The conference will offer sixteen breakout sessions focusing on state policy and practices in online and blended learning, open educational resources, launching an online program to expand course offerings, helping struggling students through online credit recovery, and more.

About iNACOL

iNACOL is the International Association for K-12 Online Learning, a non-profit 501(c)(3) membership association based in the Washington, D.C. area with more than 3,800 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 hosts the annual Virtual School Symposium (VSS).

SOURCE International Association for K-12 Online Learning