#62 The Human Side of Systems Change (Part 1) with Dr. Chris Harrington

Why Distance Learning?

Too often, distance learning gets dismissed as fragmented or disjointed, seen as a patchwork of tech tools rather than a cohesive educational system. Teachers feel pulled in too many directions, and programs struggle to sustain impact beyond the novelty of going virtual.

In this episode, Dr. Chris Harrington - leader of the EmpowerEd Research Institute, AccredVEd, and Digital Learning Works - shares how real transformation happens when virtual education is approached as a system. From curriculum to leadership to parent engagement, Chris lays out what it means to create a student-centered, coherent virtual learning ecosystem. He introduces specialized accreditation processes, discusses how to build systems around people - not tech - and shares inspiring stories from the field, including how one virtual program helped a struggling student graduate against the odds.

If you’re building - or rebuilding - a distance learning program, listen in for insights on:

• Why cohesion is the key to long-term success in virtual education.
• How to lead systems change with clarity, equity, and community buy-in.
• The power of specialized accreditation to elevate—not just evaluate—program quality.
• What it really means to put relationships at the center of digital learning.

Episode Links:

• Digital Learning WORKS
• EmpowerEd Research Institute
• AccredVEd

Host Links:

1. Discover more virtual learning opportunities and resources at CILC.org with Tami Moehring and Allyson Mitchell.
2. Seth Fleischauer’s Banyan Global Learning provides meaningful global learning experiences that prepare students across the globe for success in an interconnected world.