What If Your Virtual Program Had a Coach on Call 24/7? Dr. Christopher Harrington on AI, Accreditation, and the Future of Digital Learning

In this episode of Innovating Education, Dr. Riley Williams talks with Dr. Christopher Harrington—national edtech and digital learning leader—about two innovations that are redefining quality in virtual education: Digital Learning WORKS! and AccredVEd. Together, they explore what it would mean for every online program to have a 24/7 thought partner and an accreditation process that actually drives growth instead of just compliance.​Dr. Harrington introduces Digital Learning WORKS, a nonprofit platform from EmpowerED Research Institute that offers a vetted marketplace of digital tools, on-demand consulting and PD, and “Ask Eddie,” a free AI chatbot trained on national standards and evidence-based practices for online learning. He also unpacks AccredVEd, an accreditation model built around the National Standards for Quality Online Learning and designed in partnership with organizations like Cognia and the Virtual Learning Leadership Alliance to provide synchronized, research-based recognition for virtual programs.​Key takeaways:Why traditional accreditation often overlooks the realities of virtual programs—and how AccredVEd fills that gap with NSQ-aligned, research-based criteria.​How Ask Eddie and the broader Digital Learning WORKS ecosystem support leaders and teachers with just-in-time guidance on program design, PD, and implementation quality.​Practical ways to move from “checking boxes” to building trust, transparency, and continuous improvement in digital learning through clear standards and thoughtful AI use.​Resources mentioned:Digital Learning WORKS: https://digitallearningworks.org​AccredVEd: https://accredved.org​National Standards for Quality Online Learning: https://nsqol.org​Virtual Learning Leadership Alliance: https://virtuallearningalliance.org