Dear Superintendents, Technology Directors, Curriculum Directors and Principals:
The Mississippi Department of Education, through the Mississippi Connects initiative, is providing districts with the opportunity to measure, understand, and improve the impact of technology and digital learning on student outcomes.
MDE has partnered with BrightBytes, an educational research and data analytics organization, to offer its Technology & Learning solution at no cost to your district.
The BrightBytes Technology & Learning solution is a research-based needs assessment that focuses on four domains of technology use and integration:
- Classroom: Explore how teachers and students use technology for learning
- Access: Understand the availability of devices and internet access at school and home
- Skills: Measure the level of teacher and student foundational, online, and multimedia skills
- Environment: Support policies, procedures, culture, professional development and technology needs
The Technology & Learning solution will be distributed to students, teachers, and parents across your community in April. Data provided by this solution will help you better understand the technology impact on student learning, allow you to compare results across schools to identify and spread successful initiatives, and support your conversation around education technology with school boards and other key stakeholders.
From March 22-31, 2021, BrightBytes will host daily one-hour webinars to introduce you to the Technology & Learning solution and provide information on the implementation timeline and next steps. The MDE urges Superintendents, Technology Directors, Curriculum Directors, Principals, and any other staff critical to the success of your digital learning program to register to attend one of the webinars. If you are unable to attend any of the live sessions, please register for a session to receive a link to the webinar recording.
If you have questions, please contact Melissa Banks, MDE Director of Digital Learning, at mebanks@mdek12.org.