Part 1: The "Why" - Setting the Stage (10 minutes)
Content: Introduction to the current EdTech landscape and the rapid expansion of digital tools. Benefits of establishing a structured vetting process. Overview of diverse stakeholder needs and questions (parents, teachers, CFOs, etc.).
Engagement: Device-based poll on current EdTech usage. Peer-to-peer "Turn and Talk" on stakeholder questions.
Part 2: The "What" - The Evaluation Framework (20 minutes)
Content: Detailed instruction on the Five EdTech Quality Indicators: Safe, Evidence-Based, Inclusive, Usable, and Interoperable. Key concepts including data privacy agreements , ESSA Tiers of Evidence , and WCAG accessibility standards.
Engagement: Group analysis of a sample privacy policy excerpt. Brief device-based web accessibility check. Think-Pair-Share on current data usage for decision-making.
Part 3: The "How" - Building the Action Plan (20 minutes)
Content: Introduction to a 9-step process for organizing a vetting system. Guided work time using a provided digital Action Plan Template.
Engagement: Hands-on lab activity where attendees work in small groups on the first sections of their action plan. Primary activity is device-based work on the collaborative digital template.
Part 4: Wrap-Up and Next Steps (5 minutes)
Content: Discussion on the importance of professional learning for successful implementation. Sharing of additional resources, contact information, and a link to the presentation slides.
Engagement: Live Q&A session with the audience. Final device-based exit poll on the first action step attendees will take.
The Action Plan
The core of the takeaway is a structured action plan that attendees will begin to draft during the session. This plan is based on the nine key organizational steps presented, which provide a clear roadmap for implementation. The key components of the action plan they will develop include:
Forming a Team: Identifying key stakeholders from various departments (Curriculum, Technology, Financial, etc.) to ensure a collaborative process.
Auditing Existing Tools: Creating a strategy to discover what is currently being used by staff and students, using sample surveys and other methods as a model.
Drafting a Workflow: Outlining the specific steps and approvals needed for vetting new EdTech requests within their district's structure.
Planning for Ongoing Evaluation: Establishing a timeline and process for continuous feedback and review of approved tools.
Supporting Artifacts
The action plan will guide attendees in creating two critical artifacts upon returning to their districts. During the session, they will work with templates and examples of these artifacts:
An Evaluation Rubric: Attendees will use the Five EdTech Quality Indicators (Safe, Evidence-Based, Inclusive, Usable, Interoperable) as a foundation to select or adapt a research-based rubric that fits their district's needs. They will be provided with several sample rubrics to guide this process.
An EdTech Library: The ultimate goal of the action plan is to create a centralized, public-facing library of approved digital resources. Attendees will review various examples—from simple spreadsheets to more advanced platforms—to decide on a format that works for them.
https://edtechindex.org/validations/
https://39700426.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/39700426/Tools%20for%20Download/VATT%20Framework%20&%20Reflection.pdf
https://www.instructure.com/resources/research-reports/edtech-top-40-look-k-12-edtech-engagement-during-2022-23-school-year
https://www.cosn.org/tools-and-resources/resource/k-12cvat/
https://ies.ed.gov/ies/2025/01/essa-tiers-evidence
https://udlguidelines.cast.org/
https://www.projectunicorn.org/project-unicorn-rubric
https://teaching.uwo.ca/pdf/elearning/Rubric-for-eLearning-Tool-Evaluation.pdf
https://cdn.iste.org/www-root/2023-06/ISTE_Edtech_Product_Evaluation_Guide-2023_06.pdf
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/usin532b4taf28a5m943x/2024-State-EdTech-Trends-Report_Final.pdf?rlkey=gmx7ar9d36lsm78x4fgdob9he&e=2&st=loxbvaln&dl=0
https://www.setda.org/priorities/state-trends/
https://tec-coop.org/data-privacy/
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