Wyoming Digital Learning Plan November 2021

Update from the Wyoming Department of Education  |  view online |  website

Digital Learning Header

November 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

This month's newsletter is focused around the DLP Future Ready Framework gear Personalized Professional Learning. The goals of this gear are:

 

Personalized Professional Learning Gear
  • Shared Ownership and Responsibility for Professional Growth.
  • 21st Century Skills.
  • Diverse Opportunities for Professional Learning Through Technology.
  • Broad-Based, Participative Evaluation.

ISTE Certification for Educators Spotlight

ISTE

The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) is proud to introduce seven Wyoming educators who have successfully completed the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) certification training since May. The ISTE Certification process is a tremendous undertaking in normal circumstances, however completing it during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates the incredible drive and determination of these individuals. The ISTE training, based on the ISTE Standards for Educators, is delivered by Arizona Technology in Education Association/Edvolve and is sponsored by the WDE. Visit the WDE ISTE Certification Training page for information about this professional development opportunity.


1

Alyx Bruce

Special Education Teacher, Laramie County School District #1

"The journey to be ISTE certified is like the journey of 1000 steps. You will be challenged but the challenge is well worth it."


2

Samantha Burr

Professional Development Specialist & STEM + Computer Science Curriculum Facilitator, Campbell County School District #1

“The ISTE certification process engages you in new learning, requires deep reflection of your own practices, and propels you to be the positive influence and change in the environment in which you work in relation to best practices as an educator in the 21st Century.”


3

Jill Felbeck-Jones

K-8 Virtual Education Teacher, Natrona County School District #1

"I am so excited to provide students with highly engaging lessons using technology to create student experiences which wouldn't normally occur in the classroom."


4

Shannon Knight

Special Education Teacher, Fremont County School District #25

"For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them." - Aristotle


5

Cathy McGeowan

Technology Integration Specialist/Professional Development, Campbell County School District #1

"If we create a culture where every teacher believes they need to improve, not because they are not good enough but because they can be even better, there is no limit to what we can achieve."  - Dylan Wiliam


6

Kristy Nelson

Instructional Facilitator, Fremont County School District #1

“ISTE Certification is one of the most rigorous and practice changing certifications I have ever completed. Such a meaningful process that will benefit my learners in so many ways.”


7

Rose Robertson

High School Social Studies Teacher, Sublette County School District #1

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” - Benjamin Franklin


Clever Pandas

During the 2020/21 school year, the WDE released a Professional Development course to help educators gain skills around the state supported Learning Management System, Canvas. The Clever Pandas course is a year-long course, designed to deliver deep dives into a number of topics around the use of Canvas. Over the summer, we named our first-ever Clever Pandas in Wyoming:

  • Charles Kern - Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Carbon County School District #1 (Rawlins)
  • Brittany Moore - high school teacher, Sweetwater County School District #1 (Rock Springs)

Here is what Brittany had to say about her experience in the Clever Pandas course:

“I was excited to participate in the Clever Pandas Course to learn how to utilize the full capabilities of this awesome LMS. One thing in particular I took away that I feel will be transformative in my instruction is the use of Mastery Paths and the Mastery Gradebook. Having the ability to teach a lesson and then assign a formative assessment that will differentiate the level of practice students receive is an amazing tool. My school, Rock Springs High School, is [also] planning to move to Standards-Based Grading; the Mastery Gradebook will make this transition an easy one. I think completing a course like Clever Pandas is much the same, although time is in short supply, if you can carve out a little to learn more about the tools available to you, your life will be easier in the future.”

See the registration information below for this fall’s Clever Panda Cohort.


Professional Development Opportunities

  • 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.* 
  • eLearning Collaborative - New professional development series. Series focuses on two strands; improving online content and courses, and supporting students at a distance.
  • ISTE Certification Training - WDE-sponsored International Society for Technology in Education Certification for Educators training for 100 Wyoming teachers.*
  • 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.
  • Quality Matters - WDE-sponsored workshops or virtual courses on developing and delivering quality online content available to all Wyoming educators at no cost.*
  • 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.*
  • 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.

Stay Tuned

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