National Education Leaders Convene Virtual Emergency Sessions to Support Continuity in Learning
Series of eight free national virtual discussions to help educators manage the rapid digital transition and maintain learning continuity for students
The Learning Counsel will host a focused series of eight emergency national virtual discussions beginning April 2. These sessions bring together leading experts in virtual learning, instructional technology, and digital transition to help districts, school leaders, teachers, and instructional technology teams address the urgent needs of remote instruction, equity of access, and sustaining student engagement. Registration is free for educators.
LeiLani Cauthen, CEO and Publisher of the Learning Counsel, described the urgency driving the sessions: “On March 11 the nation entered a sharply different reality. In one survey on March 18 we received 17,075 responses in under four hours, and half of respondents volunteered to join virtual discussions. Districts are calling for practical advice and candid guidance. Our EduJedi Leadership Society is answering concerns we’re hearing daily. These emergency national virtual discussions will help schools confront the immediate challenges of launching virtual learning at scale and create continuity for learners. Please register and share this with colleagues.”
Emergency National Virtual Discussion Schedule
Each session focuses on a specific topic essential to short-term response and longer-term planning for remote and blended learning. All times are listed in PDT/MDT/CDT/EDT.
Zero Hour for Digital — Let’s Discuss
Thursday, April 2 — 11:00am PDT / 12:00pm MDT / 1:00pm CDT / 2:00pm EDT
This opening conversation addresses immediate priorities for creating continuity: triaging needs for students and families, deciding how to allocate teacher roles between content creation and student management, and practical strategies when device access is limited. Panelists will discuss how to support special needs students and reduce inequities while districts determine whether remote learning will be needed for the remainder of the term.
Online Resources Discussion — What Sites, Apps, and Systems?
Friday, April 3 — 11:00am PDT / 12:00pm MDT / 1:00pm CDT / 2:00pm EDT
Experts and practitioners will review recommended platforms, courseware, and instructional apps. Topics include how to vet free and special-plan offers from providers, how to streamline resources into a manageable suite, setting teacher and student time blocks, and processes for rapid deployment and technical support. Learning Counsel research and media will highlight vetted options and best practices for implementation.
Short-Term vs. Longer-Term Online Learning Strategies
Tuesday, April 7 — 11:00am PDT / 12:00pm MDT / 1:00pm CDT / 2:00pm EDT
This session helps leaders determine whether to mirror existing schedules or reframe expectations for continuity learning. Panelists will evaluate pros and cons of different approaches and recommend decision frameworks that consider likely duration of closures, parent involvement, device availability, teacher readiness, and the digital resources districts can access quickly.
Plans Based on Inventory of Digital Resources
Wednesday, April 8 — 11:00am PDT / 12:00pm MDT / 1:00pm CDT / 2:00pm EDT
Successful rapid transition depends on an accurate, prioritized inventory of what a district already has. This session covers how to take a fast inventory, identify gaps, plan immediate actions from start-up to scaling, and decide which elements of the full curriculum can be sustained now and which should be deferred.
Utilizing Teachers Remotely
Thursday, April 9 — 11:00am PDT / 12:00pm MDT / 1:00pm CDT / 2:00pm EDT
Deploying teachers effectively in a remote environment requires role decisions and targeted training. This discussion explores models for using all staff versus creating cohorts focused on specific functions, retraining opportunities, and operational choices that align staffing with the district’s remote learning plan.
Enabling Personalized Workflow Learning
Friday, April 10 — 11:00am PDT / 12:00pm MDT / 1:00pm CDT / 2:00pm EDT
Two levels of personalization will be explored: immediate implementations that help students self-navigate curated libraries and project-based resources, and deeper personalized workflow learning models that blend teacher interventions with individualized digital pathways. Attendees will learn what to start now, which subjects adapt more easily to personalization, and how to avoid schedule conflicts as districts scale blended and remote options.
Leadership Briefing: Becoming a Fully Blended Institution
Tuesday, April 14 — 11:00am PDT / 12:00pm MDT / 1:00pm CDT / 2:00pm EDT
Why is it difficult to flip instantly to virtual learning? This briefing peels back the layers — interoperability, systems, courseware, and organizational readiness — and highlights lessons from districts that have already built flexible blended environments. Leaders will hear practical recommendations to make future transitions smoother and more resilient.
Pandemic Scramble — CIO Tips
Wednesday, April 15 — 11:00am PDT / 12:00pm MDT / 1:00pm CDT / 2:00pm EDT
CIOs and instructional technology teams are working around the clock to address equity of access, rapid content integration, device provisioning, and technical support. This session gathers CIOs and tech leaders to share prioritization tactics, quick wins, troubleshooting strategies, and guidance for protecting network stability while expanding access to online learning.
Additional Event Details
For details on each virtual discussion and a list of presenters with their qualifications, attendees can visit the Learning Counsel’s Virtual Events tab on the organization’s website: Virtual Events.
About the Learning Counsel
The Learning Counsel is a research institute and education news hub serving a large national readership. It offers research, context, and practical guidance to help school districts navigate digital transition, improve instructional technology user experience, and plan systematic advances in blended and online learning. The organization produces research, events, and media focused on improving educational outcomes through thoughtful digital strategies.
These emergency conversations are designed to provide timely guidance on virtual learning strategy, online resources, teacher deployment, equity of access, and long-term blended learning transformation. Educators, school leaders, instructional technology teams, and district administrators are encouraged to register and participate to help create continuity and resilience in learning for students across the nation.