Home : Request for Proposals
Request for Proposals
The VSS Program Committee is now accepting proposals for presentations at the conference. Proposals will be accepted online from February 15 to April 13, 2009.
RFP Directions
The Virtual School Symposium (VSS) is hosted by the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL). The iNACOL VSS Program Committee is now seeking proposals for presentations at the conference. All proposals must be no later than April 13, 2009.
There is a limit of 3 proposals per organization. Each institution or organization may submit a maximum of three RFPs to speak at VSS. If more are submitted, only the first three received will be considered.
Conference Goals:
To provide sessions that will show how online learning is a solution to current education gaps in educational opportunities that exist today for diverse groups of learners - from special needs, to at-risk, to gifted students;
To provide professional development in K-12 online learning;
To share research, case studies and data about what works in online learning;
To share best practices on plans, policies, standards and evaluation of virtual education;
To facilitate interaction, networking, and collaboration between virtual school practitioners and experts in the field;
To stretch our thinking about K-12 virtual school strategies for improving mainstream education to ensure every student graduates with a world-class diploma to prepare them for college or beyond.
A. Presentation Proposal Primary Competitive Priorities
Multiple Perspectives - has multiple viewpoints, practitioners, and diverse speakers on an organized panel with different program models, examples or organizations presenting on the topic in a coherent manner. (20 points)
"Must Have Session" - comprehensively fills one or more presentation content areas identified in the "Must Have Session" list. The "Must Have Sessions" are below. (20 points). "Must Have Sessions" requested by prior VSS participants include:
Second Life – a Hands On Workshop (introductory and/or advanced)
A Survey of Available Learning Management Systems
Web 2.0 Emerging Technologies
National Update
Dealing with Reluctant Online Educators
Blended/Hybrid Learning Models
Funding Online Learning and Grant Writing - Where Do We Begin?
Equity & Access for Impoverished Students
Policy Reform/Legislative Updates
International Update
Online Credit Recovery
Special Education & Online Learning
Virtual Science Labs – a Hands On Approach
Visioning: What are the Greatest Needs in Virtual Schooling? Where is Online Learning Headed?
Maintaining Academic Integrity in Virtual Schools/Student Accountability
Advanced Moodle Session (hands-on)
Online Teacher Professional Development – Teaching Methods, Pedagogy, etc.
Online Learning as a Disruptive Innovation
Engaging & Motivating Students Over the Internet/Student Retention
Online Course/Curriculum Development
Online Subject Areas (A Focus on Content and Teaching Methods)
K-20 Collaborations
Online Teacher Support Programs – Mentoring and Coaching
Guidance Counselors and Online Learning
New Research in K-12 Online Learning
B. Presentation Proposal Secondary Competitive Priorities:
Demonstrates Creating New Solutions Through Online Learning- Describe how online learning improves opportunities and helps to meet student academic needs; talk about a specific program, student population, and show results with data (10 points)
Provides School Reform Strategies - for systemic change through online learning (10 points)
Interaction amongst Attendees - Explain how your session will provide networking and collaborative opportunities with the audience to share ideas and best practices with each other. Include at least 15 minutes (open) for interaction (10 points)
Includes Student Perspectives - Include student perspectives by asking students to co-present, be available via web conferencing, using technology or in person (10 points)
Innovative - The session should be groundbreaking and move the field of online learning forward. (10 points)
Mission Critical - Provides fundamental training for managing and operating a virtual school program (you can't succeed without knowing how to do this); provide a checklist or handouts. (10 points)
The application and all content herein are the intellectual property of iNACOL for iNACOL use only.
Proposals will be accepted from February 15 to April 13, 2009.
All proposals must be submitted using the application available on the iNACOL website.
Submit all questions to: Dr. Fred Sagester, Program Committee Chair Email: vssrfp@inacol.org