Reorganization of the Division of Digital Teaching and Learning

In order to ensure effective implementation and sustainability of Digital Teaching and Learning (DTL) across North Carolina, we’re adopting an organizing strategy aligned to the NC Digital Learning Plan, leveraging best practices from the field of implementation science. Implementation Science literature is very clear that sustaining any initiative over time requires strategic efforts across several areas. In North Carolina, these areas have been identified as:

1. Communication and Visibility
2. Professional Learning
3. Coaching
4. Research and Evaluation

At the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the Division of Digital Teaching and Learning has aligned these four areas to the core components of the Digital Learning Plan, yielding the following four focus areas:

1. Digital Content, Coaching & Communication
2. Digital Leadership & Professional Learning
3. Digital Citizenship & SLMC Support
4. Data, Assessment & Continuous Improvement

Moving forward, we are  applying this framework in conjunction with a regional focus aligned with the Statewide System of Support as an organizing structure in order to amplify our service to the field as well as effectively support implementation of the Digital Learning Plan. With this in mind, our staff has been reorganized to better meet the needs of the state.  Please feel free to reach out to us for support.

Director, Digital, Teaching and Learning: Verna Lalbeharie  verna.lalbeharie@dpi.nc.gov

Administrative Assistant: Susan McKinney  susan.mckinney@dpi.nc.gov

Lead Consultant: Deborah Goodman  deborah.goodman@dpi.nc.gov

Home Base Manager: Rosalyn Galloway rosalyn.galloway@dpi.nc.gov

Digital Learning Plan focus area support:

Digital Content, Coaching & Communication: Donna Murray   donna.murray@dpi.nc.gov

Digital Leadership & Professional Learning: Jill Darrough   jill.darrough@dpi.nc.gov

Digital Citizenship & SLMC Support: Kathy Parker    kathy.parker@dpi.nc.gov

Data, Assessment & Continuous Improvement: Nathan Craver    nathan.craver@dpi.nc.gov

Regional support:

North:  Cathy Mathews    cathy.mathews@dpi.nc.gov

South:  Julian Nichols-Wilson    julian.nicholswilson@dpi.nc.gov

East:   Cynthia Sartain    cynthia.sartain@dpi.nc.gov

West:   Jennifer Northrup jennifer.northrup@dpi.nc.gov

Educators on Loan:

Teika Clavell  teika.clavell@dpi.nc.gov

Sarah Cardwell  sarah.clavell@dpi.nc.gov

Home Base:

Educator Effectiveness Analyst: Khalia Spivey    khalia.spivey@dpi.nc.gov

Instructional Improvement System Consultant:  Yanisha Mann    yanisha.mann@dpi.nc.gov

Student Information System Analyst:  Aaron Bissonette    aaron.bissonette@dpi.nc.gov

Technology Support Analyst:  Yolanda Wilson    yolanda.wilson@dpi.nc.gov

Technical Support: Doris Kitts    doris.kitts@dpi.nc.gov

Home Base Professional Learning:  Shannon Hickman    shannon.hickman@dpi.nc.gov

Home Base Professional Learning:  Tiffany Kinney   tiffany.kinney@dpi.nc.gov

Digital Learning Competencies for Teachers and School Administrators

Over the summer the Digital Teaching and Learning Division provided eight professional development opportunities throughout the state to assist LEAs and charter schools as they begin to navigate the Digital Learning Competencies for Classroom Teachers and School Administrators.  These competencies will go into effect July 1, 2017.  These sessions were well attended and participants left with a better understanding of the competencies and how to begin to implement them. Throughout the 2016-2017 school year the Division of Digital Teaching and Learning will be piloting the competencies and providing additional professional learning opportunities across the state. The competencies, as well as more information about upcoming professional development are available on our wiki page.  If you have specific questions about these competencies, please reach out to your regional consultant for guidance and support.

Recognizing Outstanding STEM Schools and Programs: Intent to Apply

Schools around the state are being recognized and honored as STEM Schools of Distinction for their outstanding and effective STEM strategies in teaching and learning. Are you a school employing the 11 essential STEM Attributes and 21st century skills for students to be globally prepared? If so, we need to hear from you.

Schools planning to apply for potential STEM recognition for the 2016-17 school year need to fill out the following intent to apply to ensure you receive information about the application, timeline, and resources that will provide assistance in this process. The intent to apply request is due no later than Oct. 14.

For more information on the application process and timeline, please contact NCDPI STEM Project Manager Tina Marcus.

NCSLMA Annual Conference

The NCSLMA Annual Conference will be held at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem NC on October 20 – 22, 2016.  Remember to save the date and join us for School Library Renaissance, A Cultural Rebirth!   Online registration is available until October 7, 2016.

Professional Learning Networks

A professional learning network is a vibrant, ever-changing group of connections to which teachers go to both share and learn. These groups reflect values, passions, and areas of expertise. The ISTE Professional Learning Network offers ISTE members year-round opportunities to connect and collaborate with like-minded colleagues. Join one or more of 20+ networks!  http://community.iste.org/community/learningnetworks

Looking for Policy Information?

The State Education Policy Center (SEPC) is a database of state policies related to education and technology curated by the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA). Find links to SEPC listings for each state within our membership listings.  http://sepc.setda.org/

District Crisis Management and the Impact of Social Media

Crisis communication is nothing new to proactive and prepared CoSN members. Much of your time is devoted to anticipating problem scenarios and responding with the best course of action for your district and students. But, in the unfortunate event of a crisis at your district, what happens when tweets and posts start flooding in? Parents messaging the school to check on their sons and daughters, students posting photos or videos, media tweeting about the nature of the situation–how do you manage it all? This is the first post in a four-part series discussing crisis preparedness and social media in districts. The goal is to help CIOs and CTOs proactively develop a plan and procedure using best practices and strategies.  http://www.cosn.org/blog/district-crisis-management-and-impact-social-media

Future Ready Librarians

As schools seek to become Future Ready, it is necessary to identify and cultivate leadership beyond district and building leaders. School librarians lead, teach and support the Future Ready goals of their school and district in a variety of ways through their professional practice, programs and spaces. If properly prepared and supported, school librarians are well-positioned to be at the leading edge of the digital transformation of learning.  http://futureready.org/about-the-effort/librarians/

Guide to Choosing Digital Content and Curriculum

Working in collaboration with the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), the Center for Digital Education produced this Guide to Choosing Digital Content and Curriculum to help districts address some of the challenges of moving from a print-based to a digital-based curriculum. It provides context, effective practices and resources for districts, and presents case studies of districts already implementing digital content or setting up the infrastructure to do so.  http://www.centerdigitaled.com/paper/Guide-to-Choosing-Digital-Content-and-Curriculum-41458.html