The State Superintendent of Education in Wisconsin established the Digital Learning Advisory Council (DLAC) in 2011 “to provide intellectual and practical insights into all aspects of digital learning in Wisconsin.” The DLAC developed a Digital Learning Plan in 2012 that served as the foundation for its current 2016 Digital Learning Plan.
The plan is a roadmap for schools, public libraries, community organizations and local employers, and it provides strategies for school districts to make learning more meaningful and relevant, more accessible economically, and more cost-effective in implementation.
The plan is about teaching and learning in the digital environment in which we live and work. “It is about the thoughtful planning, preparation, and analysis of student outcomes, professional learning, culture, and leadership. Most importantly, it is about meeting our vision of equitable, personalized, applied, and engaged digital learning for all students. Equity of access to the digital resources in order to drive learning is paramount to the success of our students in a digital environment.”
Role of Educators
The plan promotes personalized learning, which is not just about technology; however, a key component is the availability and use of digital tools and media. Teachers can create blended learning options that combine face-to-face and online experiences for students.
The plan emphasizes identifying high quality technology-based assessments in order to produce effective and efficient information about students’ readiness for college and career. Aligning learning with assessments helps promote the personalized learning experience that is the plan’s goal.
Understanding the role of technology in the classroom and making sure it is available and accessible to all students is another way teachers can help bring the plan to fruition. Promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education is an important component of any digital learning program. Focusing on the four C’s of critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity is also important to the success of the plan.
Educators should also create learning spaces in the classroom environment that will foster innovation. Working with students to create these spaces for creating content that demonstrates their learning in innovative ways helps achieve this goal.
The plan also addresses the needs of all educators to have digital access to online, blended, and face-to-face, standards-driven curricula.
UW-Superior Online Graduate Programs
The University of Wisconsin-Superior (UW-Superior) offers three affordable, quality Master of Science in Education (MSE) fully online programs. Depending on your preferred career path, you have the option of enrolling in the MSE – Educational Administration program, the MSE – Instruction program, or the MSE – Special Education program.
All three programs are approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), and online students receive the same instruction from UW-Superior faculty as they would on campus. The online program offers the flexibility to learn on your own schedule from an institution with a track record of more than 120 years.
The University of Wisconsin-Superior is ranked #2 as a Top Public School among Midwest Regional Colleges in 2017 by U.S. News & World Report.
Learn more about the UW-Superior Master of Science in Education online programs.
Source:
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction: Wisconsin Digital Learning Plan
