#62 The Human Side of Systems Change (Part 1) with Dr. Chris Harrington
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:
Host Links:
- Discover more virtual learning opportunities and resources at CILC.org with Tami Moehring and Allyson Mitchell.
- Seth Fleischauer’s Banyan Global Learning provides meaningful global learning experiences that prepare students across the globe for success in an interconnected world.
Creators and Guests
