Greetings and Welcome to another Potentially Useful episode of the TCAPSLoop Podcast. Today, we embark on an ambitious mission to bridge the Digital Design Divide. Part 2 of our NETP series aims to dismantle barriers and explore the implications and envisioning a future where every educator, regardless of circumstance, has equitable access to the tools and resources they need to embody this weeks TCAPS Loop Moment of Zen:

Moment of Zen:The secret of all victory lies in the organization of the non-obvious. - Marcus Aurelius

The Rundown:

Follow along by downloading the National EdTech Plan (NETP): A Call to Action for Closing the Digital Access, Design, and Use Divides

Some Key Points:

• What is the Digital Design Divide and why is Danelle the solution?
• Importance of the Profile of an Educator as well as connecting it to the Portrait of a Graduate
• Incorporate the Design Process: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Deliver, and Test

NETP Recommendations for Closing the Design Divide 

1. Develop a “Portrait of an Educator” outlining the cognitive, personal, and interpersonal competencies educators should have to design learning experiences that help students develop the skills and attributes outlined in the profile of a graduate. (States, Districts) 
2. Design and sustain systems that support ongoing learning for new and veteran teachers and administrators, providing them with the time and space needed to design learning opportunities aligned with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Framework. (States, Districts, Building-Level Administrators) 
3. Implement feedback mechanisms that empower educators to become leaders and codesigners of professional learning experiences. (Districts, Building-Level Administrators) 
4. Provide educators and administrators with professional learning that supports the development of digital literacy skills so that they can model these skills for students and the broader school community. (States, Districts, Building-Level Administrators) 
5. Develop processes for evaluating the potential effectiveness of digital tools before purchase, including the use of research and evidence. (State, District, Building-Level Administrators) 
6. Foster an inclusive technology ecosystem that solicits input from diverse stakeholders to collaborate on decision-making for technology purchases, learning space design, and curriculum planning. (States, Districts, Building-Level Administrators) 
7. Support and facilitate a systemic culture that builds trust and empowers educators to enhance and grow their professional practice to meet the needs of each student. (States, Districts, Building-Level Administrators) 
8. Regularly solicit educator feedback and evaluate professional learning efforts to ensure alignment with the Portrait of an Educator. (District, Building-Level Administrators)

Tech Tool of the Week

Professional Learning on the go. You likely know this if you are a listener of ours… podcasts are a great place to get digestible chunks of professional development. 

One of my recent favorites is: 

AEM Center: The Accessible Learning Experience Podcast

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Hosts: Danelle Brostrom, Larry Burden

Um and Ramble Editing: Larry Burden

Cover art created with help from Adobe Firefly.