Instruction - Digital Learning

Digital Literacy

• DART Curriculum - Integrates foundational English instruction with digital skills instruction so that low-level learners can meet both English and digital literacy needs at the same time. It includes full lesson plans and lots of printables!
• Digital Literacy Toolkit - Select a category to find an instructional video with resources for both students (a Wakelet on each topic for additional practice) and teachers (lesson plans).
• ESLC Digital Literacy curriculum – for phone/touchscreen literacy, this curriculum has a clear slide deck with current screenshots from actual devices. Additional curriculum on Computer Skills is in development.
• GCF Teachers Guide – Resources for teachers and tutorials with learning plans to increase student skills in the areas of Technology, Microsoft Office, Applied Digital Skills, Everyday Life, and Career.
• New to Technology – Basic technology resources that include a collection of how-to guides and videos.
• Northstar Digital Literacy for staff and students.
  • Assessment and Online Learning – Test your digital literacy skills to see what you know.
  • Basic Computer Skills – Email – Microsoft Word – Career Search Skills – Free online learning units to build digital literacy skills.
  • Standards - Define the basic skills needed to perform tasks on computers and online including: Essential Computer Skills, Essential Software Skills, and Using Technology in Daily Life.
  • Teacher Resource Guide - Sample Lessons built in Google Slides on the topics of Basic Computer Skills, Internet Basics and Using Email.
  • Technology Integration Self-Assessment - A tool to help staff identify their strengths with integrating technology into the classroom as well as areas for professional development.

Distance Education

• Distance Education professional development including platform specific introductions are housed in the PDN Moodle under the category Distance Education.
• Aspire Approved Distance Education (DE) Directory - Aspire-approved curricula that can be used for DE with students.
• Aspire Distance Education Policy – Contains federal and state requirements, plus information for implementation including instructional methods and assessment.
• GenAI Resources for Educators - Links to support educators that want to get caught up on the conversation around generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). Curated by the EdTech Center @ World Education.

Teaching Virtual (Online) Classes

• Best Practices for Online Learning - For synchronous and asynchronous learning, including models and strategies.
• Converting Classroom Activities to Engaging Virtual Activities – Conversion and design tips for virtual learning.
• CrowdEd Teacher Tools - These resources provide comprehensive lists and information about a wide range of tech tools for education.
• Distance Learning for ELLs: Planning Instruction – Plan instruction starting with a needs assessment and incorporate strategies and activities specific to distance learning.
• Do’s and Don’ts of Teaching ELLs Through Remote Learning – Remote learning tips and supports for teachers who have ELLs in their ABE/ASE classrooms.
• IDEAL Blended Learning and Distance Education Handbook Instruction – This chapter introduces an approach to distance and blended learning instruction that encompasses both what we have learned from teachers and the opportunities made possible by new technologies.
• Integrated Digital English Acceleration (I-DEA) Curriculum – This free, online program teaches English language skills in the context of college and careers for learners who face the largest language gaps.
• Teacher Demonstrations - Aspire teachers demonstrate specific tools and strategies that they use to implement distance/online learning with students. See Teacher Office Hours in the Ohio Aspire PDN Moodle.
• Tools to Engage and Interact – Virtual tools that help learners engage and interact with the lesson.