About this Project
In collaboration with multiple education organizations and with state leaders, SETDA developed professional learning resources for states to build state-level capacity as they transition to digital learning. The project includes a set of professional learning resources, known as facilitator guides, for states and districts to use to host statewide and/or regional convenings to provide customized support and training. This project also includes a set of stakeholder communication toolkits designed to help stakeholders disseminate information about teaching and learning in the digital age.
Facilitator Guides
The Facilitator Guides provide education leaders with the information and resources they need to conduct a professional learning session for state, district or school leaders. Leaders across the field collaborated to develop these guides, which include a crowd-sourced curation of resources. The documents are intended to inspire conversation, evaluation and reflection around the current state of your educational ecosystem as well as support planning and implementation in the digital age. Each guide can act as a starting point and additional sessions on the topic can be scheduled throughout the year.
Stakeholder Communication Toolkits
The stakeholder communication toolkits describe the role of the stakeholder as a key influencer for learning in the digital age to help ensure that students are college and career ready. In addition to background information about learning in the digital age, the toolkits highlight topics most relevant to the specific stakeholders. Stakeholder member organizations may want to share this toolkit with members to explain the importance of moving towards digital learning while addressing some of the areas of concern most relevant to the stakeholders as districts and schools transition to learning in the digital age. Toolkits includes a communications packet with sample documents that are customizable. Partners can add logos, examples or other resources to help engage stakeholders and support this topic.
The CIOs/CTOs role is not just about making sure the devices are working and educators are connected to the internet. CIOs/CTOs play an essential role in strategic planning and vision setting; understanding teacher and student needs for instructional materials and devices; determining internet and wireless access points; identifying key systems for data collection and assessment; and budgeting for technology. CIOs/CTOs must be included in the planning and discussions regarding adoption and implementation of instructional materials and online tools and services, in addition to plans for maintaining and expanding broadband access.
CoSN’s Framework of Essential Skills of the K-12 CTO offers CIOs/CTOs a practical model for ensuring that they have the appropriate skills to support learning in the digital age. The framework identifies 10 essential skills and is organized around three professional categories:
Leadership and vision
Understanding the educational environment
Managing technology and support resources
As part of the strategic planning and implementation process, CIOs/CTOs should connect with key leaders to ensure that all stakeholders understand the needs and requirements for implementing the district’s vision for student learning in a digital age. Leaders may include:
Chief Education Officer / Superintendent
Chief Academic Officer / Instructional Leaders
Instructional Materials Leader
Assessment and Data Leader
Digital Learning Leader
Chief Financial Officer or other Business Leader
Special Education Leader
Title I/II/III Leaders
CTE Leaders
Professional Learning Leader
As CIOs/CTOs meet with other key leaders, some of the discussion questions may include:
Will our content delivery system/learning management system support your goals?
Will our school/district have the technology capacity to deliver content efficiently and effectively?
Is the broadband infrastructure sufficient for robust simultaneous access for most users?
Do students have ubiquitous device access in school?
Do students and teachers have ubiquitous device access out of school?
Is Wi-Fi available on campus in all learning spaces?
Howard-Winneshiek Community Schools, Cresco, IA
Howard Winneshiek Community Superintendent John Carver discusses how to bring a rural district to a place of connectivity district-wide.
