The Importance of a Statewide Digital Learning Plan in K-12 Schools
With the widespread shift towards remote learning brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, many schools across the country are now facing a problem when it comes to equal access to education. While students with internet access are able to easily access these new online resources, those with less economically-fortunate situations are unable to receive the same quality of education due to a growing disparity in access to virtual learning technologies. Unfortunately, this disproportionately affects students in low-income neighborhoods, those with disabilities, and those in households with limited English comprehension, widening the already growing gap in access to education.
Seeing the need to develop a learning plan suitable for students from all backgrounds, the state of Wyoming has developed an exemplary digital learning plan that has become a national model in educational restructuring.
Implemented in 2017, Wyoming’s Digital Learning Plan was developed as a means of ensuring equal access to education via technology. Over the course of five years, Wyoming has managed to transform its statewide education system into a digitally-functional environment beneficial to all learners, educators and even local community members.
In order to promote digital learning for all, Wyoming adopted the Future Learning Framework as a roadmap for this process. This framework outlines seven key steps to building a successful digital learning plan that can serve as a foundation not only for school’s in Wyoming but for schools across the nation as a whole.
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: During this initial phase, Wyoming implemented initiatives aimed at fostering a synchronous learning plan throughout the state. New state standards were adopted focusing on computer literacy, and schools across the state were encouraged to participate in the Hour of Code program featuring coding activities for a variety of interests and learning abilities. In addition, educators were given equal access to high-quality educational materials and provided with state-sponsored training. A statewide digital learning management system (LMS) was adopted for use by all Wyoming staff and students, allowing for a streamlined digital learning process across the entire state.
Use of Time and Space: After aligning the curriculum and instruction methods, as well as providing ease of access to digital learning materials, Wyoming decided to make digital learning opportunities easily accessible to all students within the state by personalizing learning styles. The state developed multiple learning options, including high-quality online and blended learning courses to appeal to those who may struggle learning electronically, those with difficulties focusing on self-guided learning, and those who would otherwise not be interested in computer science curriculum.
Robust Infrastructure: In order to achieve its goal of creating a uniform digital learning platform for all, Wyoming implemented the Wyoming Classroom Connectivity Initiative (WCCI). This plan provided the means for schools across the state to allocate their federal E-Rate Category 2 funds towards securing a stable LAN/WiFi connection in all classrooms. The use of these funds for improving technology allows school districts to preserve money that would otherwise be spent on expensive technology to go towards other critical expenses, such as teacher salaries. In addition to the WCCI, the state launched a series of conferences, workshops and Professional Learning Communities for superintendents, technology directors and other school system personnel to develop their knowledge base when it comes to digital learning.
Data and Privacy: As is necessary with any digital platform, privacy and data security are major concerns when developing a digital learning plan, particularly when dealing with data usage of minors. In order to strengthen security and privacy efforts across the state, Wyoming launched a series of workshops and conferences for IT directors within school systems, as well as for educators when designing and implementing learning materials. The decision to use a single LMS across all state school systems narrows the scope of digital platforms schools with which schools need to familiarize themselves, thus allowing for a more in-depth understanding of the platform.
Community Partnerships: While developing a solid digital learning plan within the schools themselves is a major goal, developing a strong relationship with the outside community is crucial in the success and longevity of the plan. Wyoming recognized the need to form community partnerships for long-lasting program success and formed alliances with local businesses, libraries and post-secondary institutions in order to learn from each other’s successes in digital technology implementation. These partnerships also provide a glimpse into life after K-12 education and the necessity of a strong foundation in digital education for success after high school.
Personalized Professional Learning: In order to maintain the highest quality of digital education for Wyoming students, the state implemented a robust professional learning program to encourage and support continuing growth for Wyoming educators. Through the use of Statewide Professional Learning Communities, the development of the Wyoming Innovations in Learning Conference, and initiatives such as Open Range Wyoming and the use of a statewide LMS, the state has increased access to digital education opportunities. In addition, educators have been incentivized to further their digital education with a number of professional recognition programs that count towards continuing education credits and even higher degrees.
Budget and Resources: As a major concern for all U.S. school systems, education budgets are often difficult to work around. However, as demonstrated by the state of Wyoming, developing a high-quality digital learning plan can actually assist in stabilizing the school budget by reducing long-term costs. The development of initiatives, such as the WCCI has allowed Wyoming to allocate resources traditionally reserved for technology towards other critical needs within the school system by drawing on state resource funds for digital learning purposes. In addition, the partnerships created within the community allow for alternative sources of funding, particularly within fields that are heavily reliant on digital citizenship and computer literacy.
Through the development and implementation of this multifaceted framework, the state of Wyoming has become a national leader in successful digital literacy programming within the field of education. With the growing presence of e-learning and remote work opportunities, it is more vital than ever that we are preparing our children for a digital world from an early age. Through the use of a successful digital learning plan, school systems can easily prepare students for the world of tomorrow starting today.
For more information on the importance of digital learning plans in education, read the U.S. Department of Education's ED COVID-19 HANDBOOK. To learn more about Wyoming’s Digital Learning Plan, browse the 2017-2017 Digital Learning Plan document or read about the highlights of the plan at the Wyoming Department of Education’s Digital Learning Plan webpage.
For more information on digital learning technologies for your school system, contact Jordan Moss at JMoss@communication-co.com or phone 574.299.0020.
Sources: