Lansing-Based Virtual University Growing 30 Percent Per Year; Hiring Teachers

California’s recent proposal to replace its science and math school textbooks with e-versions is causing a stir, but Lansing-based Michigan Virtual University (MVU) is way ahead of the game.

The Capital region’s on-line school for teachers, as well as middle and high school students, has been providing e-materials for nearly all of the classes it has developed since 2000, when it began focusing on Michigan’s educational system, says Greg Marks, MVU’s director of product development.

And the classes are proving popular. Enrollment at the MVU student division, called Michigan Virtual School, grows annually by nearly 30 percent: 11,000 grade-six-to-twelve students were taking Michigan Virtual School classes on computers in the 2007-08 year. As for the division targeting classes for teachers, called LearnPort, it had 25,000 registered users in January 2008.

MVU was created by the State of Michigan, and is financed primarily through the School Aid Act, supplemented with grants and fees charged to schools and parents. Michigan ranks second, behind Florida, for its virtual learning efforts, including MVU’s 150-plus online courses.

40 employees manage the University Corporate Research Park business in South Lansing, as well as over 100 part-time teachers who not only teach but also help develop courses.

MVU is hiring independent contractors now to teach online classes ranging from health and earth science to native American history and flash animation.

One hardbound textbook can cost $100, according to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s task force. By replacing the texts with e-versions, the California group estimates the state’s school system could save $2 million. But Michigan has been saving money on texts since 2000.

E-texts do more than save on printing costs, Marks says. They can be regularly updated, and partnered with podcasts, videos and other technology resources.

Source: Greg Marks, Michigan Virtual University

Gretchen Cochran, Innovation & Jobs editor, may be reached here.