0–10 minutes: Introduction and Framing
Content: Define co-design, explain its importance for equity in education technology, and share context from Digital Promise initiatives (The Engagement Collaborative for Research and Equity (ENCORE) and 9th Grade on Track (9GOT)).
Engagement: Quick audience poll followed by a think-pair-share where participants reflect on how co-design shows up in their own work.
10–25 minutes: Small-Group Co-Design Activity
Content: Participants work in small groups to practice equity-centered co-design strategies using guiding prompts. This activity models inclusive collaboration across roles.
Engagement: Peer-to-peer collaboration and brainstorming on chart paper or digital tools (e.g., Miro). Groups generate and prepare to share tangible outputs.
25–40 minutes: Share-Out and Discussion
Content: Groups present their themes and recommendations, which presenters synthesize into key takeaways and emerging strategies.
Engagement: Whole-group discussion with real-time theme capture using sticky notes or a collaborative digital board to ensure representation of all voices.
40–55 minutes: Lessons Learned from Practice
Content: Present frameworks, pitfalls, and successes from more than 30 EdTech innovations developed through ENCORE and 9th Grade on Track with Q&A integrated throughout, plus paired reflection to connect lessons learned to participants’ own classrooms, districts, or product teams.
55–60 minutes: Wrap-Up and Next Steps
Content: Provide resources, frameworks, and tools to support replication and sustainability.
Engagement: Takeaway prompt where participants identify and commit to one actionable step they will implement to strengthen equity and collaboration.
Process: Engagement Frequency and Tactics
Participants will engage 1–2 times in each segment. Tactics include live polling, think-pair-share, peer-to-peer collaboration, group brainstorming, whole-group discussions, digital/analog theme capture, paired reflection, and personal action commitments. This structure ensures consistent interactivity and equips attendees with replicable methods for both educators and product developers.
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
Identify and adapt at least three equity-centered co-design practices with educators and students.
Experience and replicate a hands-on co-design activity transferable to classrooms, districts, and product teams.
Anticipate and address common challenges in co-design using practical, research-based strategies.
Commit to and articulate one actionable next step that strengthens equity-driven collaboration and improves student outcomes.
Three Keys to a Strong Research-Practice Partnership – Digital Promise (https://digitalpromise.org/2025/08/21/three-keys-to-a-strong-research-practice-partnership/)
A New Narrative: How Unlocking the Power of R&D Through Inclusive Innovation Can Transform Education (https://digitalpromise.dspacedirect.org/items/73f2e0fa-dca8-4cd0-a8da-eb18b59453c4)
Co-Design as a Catalyst for Equity (https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e32157bff63c7446f3f1529/t/65e8b8a950ecc4328ab27eca/1709750447548/NEP_Co-Design%2Bas%2Ba%2BCatalyst%2Bfor%2BEquity_Digital.pdf)
Collaborative Design as a Context for Teacher and Researcher Learning (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wn3CGoTtA4pLDVQa-SRGlvqXXKM5RZ1L/view)
Academia–industry partnerships in edtech: bridging the gaps in engaged research (https://journals.uclpress.co.uk/r4a/article/id/3447/)
Advancing equity via research-practice partnerships: a theory of action for equity-centered RPPs (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/education/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1435836/full)
Building Sustainable Models of Research–Practice Partnerships Within Educational Systems - PMC (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9567312/)
Research-Based Certified Products – Digital Promise (https://digitalpromise.org/product-certifications/research-based-certified-products/)
Research-Practice-Industry Partnerships – Digital Promise (https://digitalpromise.org/rpip/)
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