Navigating the Digital Shift: Quality Learning Connections in the Digital Age

Presented by Elizabeth James, Curricular Materials Coordinator, Idaho State Department of Education; and Dr. Bart Rocco, Superintendent of Schools, Elizabeth Forward School District, Elizabeth, PA
Hosted by Christine Fox, Deputy Executive Director, SETDA
Hosted by SETDA and Future Ready Schools
Sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

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This edWebinar highlights SETDA’s latest research, Navigating the Digital Shift 2018: Broadening Student Learning Opportunities. As states and districts shift to implement digital instructional materials, the report provides information and guidance on state acquisition and procurement policies, selection and curation processes. States are increasingly providing guidance, definitions, and vetting policies and practices for the implementation of digital materials to help ensure that digital materials are available to learners via devices anywhere, anytime.

Hear examples from presenters of state and district leadership that support digital learning opportunities. Elizabeth James from the Idaho State Department of Education highlights Idaho’s leadership in the instructional materials review process. Dr. Bart Rocco from Elizabeth Forward School District in Pennsylvania (A Future Ready School) discusses the district’s journey to the effective implementation of digital materials. There will be time for questions after the presentation. Administrators, policy makers, curriculum directors, and IT staff will benefit from watching this recorded session.

About the Presenters
Elizabeth James is currently serving as the curricular materials coordinator at the Idaho State Department of Education. Previously, Elizabeth worked as an elementary teacher in Nevada and a residential counselor in Montana. She graduated with a master’s degree from the University of Nevada Las Vegas in curriculum and instruction, technology integration. She loves living in Boise, Idaho and takes full advantage of the amazing outdoor adventures it provides.

Dr. Bart Rocco has worked in public education for 35 years as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and for the last nine years has served as the superintendent of the Elizabeth Forward School District in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. Under Dr. Rocco’s leadership, the school district has undertaken numerous learning initiatives. He has worked to establish partnerships with local universities, such as Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, and California University of Pennsylvania.

The district has been recognized as a Digital Promise School District from the League of Innovative Schools, and has received an Apple Distinguished Program Award. The district is also a Digital Citizenship Certified District. Dr. Rocco was awarded the K-12 Alumni Award from the University of Pittsburgh in 2018; the 2018 Leadership Award from the Consortium for Public Education; and the Distinguished Educator Award from the Tri-State Study Council and the University of Pittsburgh. He was also the recipient of the 2014 Outstanding Educator Award from the Elizabeth Forward Alumni Association. Dr. Rocco received his B.A. and M.Ed. from Duquesne University and earned his Ed.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.

About the Host

Christine Fox is the deputy executive director for SETDA. As Deputy Executive Director, she collaborates with the executive director in charting strategic direction, administration, planning and financial decisions involving SETDA. She also facilitates the members’ professional learning opportunities including planning and implementing the content for SETDA’s virtual and in-person events and newsletters. In addition, she manages many of SETDA’s research and product development projects from conception to publication. The management of such projects includes coordinating data collection from all states, supervising consultants and staff, ensuring member input and supervising the publishing process. Recent publications and projects include Navigating the Digital Shift, Digital Instructional Materials Acquisition Policies for States, OER Case Studies: Implementation in Action, The Broadband Imperative and From Data to Information. Christine’s background includes experience in education and consulting. She has worked as an educational consultant and curriculum developer for a national whole school reform model, ESOL coordinator and 3rd grade teacher. Christine has a Masters of Science in teaching English as a second language from Florida International University and received her bachelor’s degree in English literature from Florida State University.

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The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit membership association launched by state education agency leaders in 2001 to serve, support and represent their emerging interests and needs with respect to the use of technology for teaching, learning, and school operations. Our current work is guided by a strategic plan, Leading, Inspiring and Empowering: The 2013-16 SETDA Strategic Plan, adopted by the SETDA Board of Directors in October 2012 after extensive consultation with the membership. The SETDA mission is to build and increase the capacity of state and national leaders to improve education through technology policy and practice.

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