7Student engagement can be a real challenge in virtual and hybrid learning. This is especially true when the transition is unexpected. Often, students struggle to show up to class meetings and they turn work in late. However, the real issue isn't simply a lack of engagement. It's often a lack of self-direction. In other words, students aren't taking the initiative with their own learning. In Empowered at a Distance, Dr. John Spencer provides teachers, coaches, and administrators with a roadmap that will inspire anytime / anywhere innovation at the K-12 and university levels. He provides practical strategies for building student ownership into the assessment process, creative process, collaborative process, and inquiry process. He includes practical insights for improving virtual meetings and overall course design. There's no single right way to do distance learning. There are no magical formulas. However, although there is no instruction manual, we can all use tools, blueprints, and ideas to craft meaningful learning experiences that happen anytime and anywhere.