OFFERING INSIGHT — The JCESC Virtual Learning Academy team will be sharing expertise at the Ohio Educational Technology Conference. Preparing are David Moore, Director Mark Masloski, Cody Westling, Brant Stakey, Assistant Director Martariesa Logue and Rebekah Shoemaker. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — The Jefferson County Educational Service Center’s Virtual Learning Academy is sharing expertise on using technology to make for a more effective educator during the Ohio Educational Technology Conference Tuesday through Thursday at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The VLA will present seven full sessions on topics ranging from how to create interactive assignments to strategies for reducing barriers to education.

VLA Assistant Director Martariesa Logue said they submitted multiple topics that were chosen for presentation. Interest is high and educators are signing up, with about 1,250 people registered to attend the conference and potentially hear about the different supports VLA has to offer.

One particular session hosted by VLA includes Coding Across the Curriculum. VLA Director Mark Masloski will demonstrate how instructors can use coding to teach different subjects, going beyond text while using programs such as Google Classroom or Virtual Classroom and creating interactive activities for their students. Logue said teachers do not need to be intimidated since these tools are readily accessible for novices.

“That one’s going to be really exciting,” she said. “A lot of people think coding is very, very difficult, and the beginning of coding is not. Mark will go over how you can use some of the more simple codes to make a more interactive assessment for students.”

Another VLA hosted session is Podcasting with a Purpose. Logue said VLA staffer Brant Starkey will take the lead. He puts out monthly webinars where VLA interviews vendors and partners.

“For the month of February, we decided that we would do a live webinar at OETC,” she said. “It will be available on Zoom.”

Starkey will interview Masloski and Logue and share tips for schools interested in starting their own podcasts. Logue said schools often produce newsletters, newspapers and small television segments. Adding a podcast is often another productive step, but carries challenges unique to the medium. Logue said a successful podcast needs focused topics.

“You don’t just want to throw something together. You want to make sure you are, like the title says, podcasting with a purpose.”

Other presentations hosted by VLA touch on digital wellness and helping students develop healthy habits when using technology. Logue said prolonged screen time is a significant part of their daily tasks and there are strategies to strike a balance.

Another VLA hosted session is Scaling Equity, which helps teachers who recognize students have different needs, learning styles and backgrounds. Logue said teachers will leave with a clearer view of the real life challenges their students face, ways to support online learners and strategies they can implement. VLA presenters will showcase the factors that can lead a student to drop out.

“Sometimes you have to look at what their situations are. If they don’t have a reliable internet source, how are they going to be an online learner? So just going through some of those different barriers and how you can overcome those barriers.”

She noted VLA has been ahead of the curve in addressing questions about artificial intelligence and its role in education. For the OETC presentation they are using the opportunity to support schools in a variety of other ways.

Logue said VLA is no stranger to OETC, having presented during the COVID-19 pandemic when the event was online. This year they are a silver sponsor, and will exhibit at the tradeshow at booth 921.

“That’s a first time for us. We’ve never been a sponsor before. Another first for us is we are hosting our first membership meeting at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.”

The membership meeting will be at the Hampton Inn, in the Clippers Conference Room.

Staff members also are looking forward to making valuable connections, including making educators aware the Jefferson County-based VLA offers services throughout Ohio and beyond.

“Just having them stop by and talk to us. We are hoping to get our name out so people know that even though we are in Jefferson County, we are able to help everyone in Ohio,” Logue said. “Our curriculum is written to Ohio standards.”

She added Virginia has approved VLA’s curriculum. Moreover, homeschooling families can work with the program in every state.

“We are always available to help homeschool families with curriculum if that would be something they’re in need of.”

They are familiar with the needs of educators and tailor services to meet them.

“We are local,” she said. “We are right out of Steubenville, for anyone who’s reading us online. We know the struggles of small towns. We understand the struggle of rural communities trying to get the internet to students, so all of our units are available to export into a pdf. They can be printed if needed.”

She added VLA is web-based rather than operating through an app.

“Which means students don’t have to have a specific phone or iPad access to content. Anything with an internet connection will to work for them.”

VLA does not have enrollment periods, so if a school is considering options to enroll their students, they can sign up any time.

Masloski welcomes OETC attendees and the public to learn more about VLA.

“I’m very proud of our assistant director and our staff. It’s an honor to have seven presentations that we’re going to provide for schools in Ohio,” he said. “We’ve come a long way, and it’s exciting that we’re able to play a role in such a large platform.”

Located in the R. Larry George Training Annex at 1913 Estelle Ave., Steubenville, the VLA serves all students including those who are credit deficient, home bound or home schooled. JCESC VLA can serve as a stand-alone program or implemented within a district’s already existing curriculum. To learn about the JCESC Virtual Learning Academy, visit the website at jcesc.k12.oh.us/vla.aspx or contact VLA staff at vla@jcesc.org or (740) 283-3347, extension 100.