Technology Integration Initiative 2021: Digital Equity

The purpose of this professional development (PD) initiative is to build the capacity of MN ABE consortia to develop a Digital Equity plan (DL) for their ABE program based on established best practices.

Digital Equity Course Content:

Participants will work with colleagues within their agency (teams generally consist of one admin/manager and at least one teacher/staff per agency) to develop a program/site plan that addresses the five elements of digital equity including:

1) Robust, affordable broadband Internet service

2) Internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user

3) Access to digital literacy training

4) Quality technical support

5) Applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation, and collaboration.

Each participant group will write a case study describing a current instructional or programmatic challenge. Together the cohort discusses each of the case studies, suggests solutions, and builds an online "community of practice" that remains available as a resource after the course is done.

Along with CEUs a $2000 stipend is available to programs completing the course (limited to 12) for staffing, promotional materials, purchase of devices or hotspots, etc…

Timeline:
Kick-Off Online Meeting – 10:00 AM – 2:00p.m. Tuesday Feb. 2nd 2021

 Discuss our common instructional issues/questions. Bring, talk through or brainstorm possible case studies based on our questions or issues. Begin writing case studies in the online course. Explore and get comfortable with the online course. Calendar online case study discussions.

Monthly 90-minute webinars Tuesdays at 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. on the following dates.

February 16    Webinar to discuss a digital needs survey and available resources

March 16        Webinar to discuss training needs

April    13        Webinar to discuss roll out strategies and piloting priorities.

May     4          Presentation webinar - Cohort shares digital equity plans from their implementation. Course is complete; complete course evaluation; award CEUs. Course CEUs will be about 10-15 depending on number of participants

Contact Jason Brazier (jbrazier@literacymn.org) for more information.

Apply here. Application deadline January 29, 2021

The TLA is a 6-month professional development cohort that will help enhance technology integration and expertise within your Adult Basic Education program with coaching, training and support targeted to your program’s specific technology-related needs and priorities.

When

December 2019 – May 2020 (applications were due November 8, 2019)
 

Time Required

• Initial capacity assessment: 1-2 hours (to be completed in December)
• Kick off meeting in St. Paul: 2-4 hours (Friday, February 7, 2020)
• Review of capacity assessment with TLA coach (at your ABE location, weather permitting): 2-3 hours (January - February)
• Monthly check-in with coach: 1 hour (January- April)
• Additional training and coaching in person or via webinar: determined based on goals (no more than 3 hours per month)
• Final in-person wrap up meeting in St. Paul: 4 hours (May 29, 2020)
• Total time required: 12-20 hours

Travel expenses will be covered for staff of programs located more than 50 miles away from St. Paul. Stipends are available to pay for substitute teachers if needed.

CEUs Earned

5-20, based on work completed
 

What

• As part of the Technology Leadership Academy (TLA), your program will:
• Complete a program-wide technology capacity self-assessment. 
• Set TLA goals that align with your program-specific needs and priorities.
• Receive regular phone/web/in-person check-ins and coaching with a technology liaison from the Statewide Support Services team.
• Share ideas and resources with other participating ABE programs.
• Access online or in-person technology trainings as needed.

Who 

Preferably two people from your program will participate; it is recommended that one participant be a manager or lead teacher. However, if this is not possible, please apply anyway. Priority will be given to consortia that have upcoming deadlines for five-year narratives. 

How

Fill out the application here: https://forms.gle/1sqfUyx2So3ApiFK6 or contact Cathy Grady, 651-744-1417 (office), catherine.grady@spps.org or 651-485-4066 (cell).

This project is made possible by a Support Services grant from the ABE office of the Minnesota Department of Education.