 APRIL 2021
Welcome to the Digital Learning Plan (DLP) monthly newsletter
This newsletter will explore the Wyoming DLP, its goals, and suggested strategies to ensure equitable access to opportunities and success in postsecondary, career, and civic life.
Digital Learning Plan Implementation
Personalized Professional Learning
This month's newsletter is focused around the DLP Future Ready Framework gear Personalized Professional Learning. The goals of this gear are:
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- Shared Ownership and Responsibility for Professional Growth.
- 21st Century Skill Set.
- Diverse Opportunities for Professional Learning Through Technology.
- Broad-Based, Participative Evaluation.
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Micro-credential Overview
A micro-credential is a form of recognition for demonstrating competency in a specific skill or small set of skills. Earning micro-credentials is an approach to professional learning that engages teachers in activities that generate evidence of their ability to use the micro-credential’s targeted skills. This evidence is evaluated by a trained reviewer using a defined set of performance criteria. If the evidence meets the criteria for mastery, then the teacher earns the micro-credential.
Wyoming Computer Science Micro-credential Program
The purpose of the Wyoming Computer Science (CS) Micro-credential Program is to provide a means for teachers to demonstrate competency in CS instruction for secondary students. In this micro-credential pilot program, the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) and partners are developing a system of state-approved, stackable CS micro-credentials for secondary teachers to earn. The Wyoming CS Micro-credential Program includes one stand-alone computational thinking micro-credential and five stacks of micro-credentials (a stack is a set of two or more closely related micro-credentials). Each will be aligned with the domains of the Wyoming CS Content and Performance Standards, for a total of 17 micro-credentials.
Each micro-credential is expected to be awarded 0.5 credit Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB) credit. As a part of the pilot program, the WDE is working closely with PTSB to determine if the CS micro-credentials could become an alternative pathway to the PTSB CS teaching endorsement.
The pilot program will support educators going through the process of earning the micro-credentials with a variety of resources to learn about CS along with guidance from mentors. Teachers involved in the pilot will be trained on the Wyoming CS Micro-credential Program in late May/early June and will be able to begin earning the micro-credentials in June.
Looking for Pilot Participants
The WDE is looking for teachers and other educators who would be interested in fulfilling any of the roles listed below in the CS Micro-credential Pilot Program. All Earners, Mentors, and Reviewers will receive training on the expectations and supports associated with their role. Applications are due by May 15, 2021.
CS MICRO-CREDENTIAL EARNER
The Earners will be responsible for going through the micro-credential pilot and earn the CS micro-credentials. There is a stipend paid to teachers for each micro-credential they earn. More information about being a CS micro-credential Earner in the pilot can be found here.
CS MICRO-CREDENTIAL MENTOR
The Mentors will use their CS content and teaching knowledge to support a group of up to four earners for a period of 12 months with an option to extend for another 12 months. There is a stipend paid to mentors for each Earner they support. More information about being a CS micro-credential Mentor in the pilot can be found here.
CS MICRO-CREDENTIAL REVIEWER
The Reviewer in the Wyoming Computer Science (CS) Micro-credential Program will score CS micro-credentials and provide constructive feedback to Earners. Reviewers will use their CS content and teaching knowledge to score evidence submitted by Earners and provide feedback that describes whether Earners have demonstrated competency or need to take additional steps to do so. There is a stipend paid to reviewers for each micro-credential submission reviewed. Reviewers serve for a period of 12 months with an option to extend for an additional 12-month period annually. More information about being a CS micro-credential Reviewer in the pilot can be found here.
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Clever Panda Program - Free online course designed to help Canvas users take their knowledge to the next level and earn the title of Clever Panda.*
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ISTE Certification Training - WDE-sponsored International Society for Technology in Education Certification for Educators training for 100 Wyoming teachers.*
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Open Educational Resources - Free, open enrollment online course about open education resources; class is available to all Wyoming educators. Check out Open Range Wyoming for open education resources created and vetted by a professional group of Wyoming teachers. In partnership with UWYO and aligned with OER, the WDE would like to highlight the outstanding Learning Actively Mentoring Program (LAMP). LAMP Roadshow.
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Quality Matters - WDE-sponsored workshops or virtual courses on developing and delivering quality online content available to all Wyoming educators at no cost.*
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Quality Matters Teaching Online Certificate - Series of seven workshops focused on effective online teaching practices sponsored by the WDE available to all Wyoming educators at no cost.*
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Wyoming Digital Learning Guidelines Course - Free, open enrollment online course about using education technology in the classroom available to all Wyoming educators.*
*Eligible or available for PTSB approved virtual education credit.
More Information
For more information on the Wyoming Digital Learning Plan or the Future Ready Framework, contact Robin Grandpre at 307-777-5315 or robin.grandpre1@wyo.gov.
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