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Digital Learning

Announcements

Grant Opportunity: Oregon Education Technology Cadre The purpose of this grant is to identify qualified applicants and fund regional grants for Equity-Based digital learning cadres. These one-time grants of up to $15,000 support Educator professional learning in the areas of digital learning and digital literacy with the goal of professional learning that extends beyond a one-time conference or event. Grants funds can be used to either 1) create a regional education technology cadre with professional learning and collaboration opportunities for educators, or 2) build on an existing regional educational technology cadre in order to extend professional learning and collaboration opportunities for educators. The closing date for grant applications is April 12, 2024 at 3:00 PM and applications can be accessed here.

Brian Baker, ODE Digital Learning Education Specialist, will be holding two Q&A sessions for potential applicants:

  • Regional EdTech Cadre Grant Q&A session #1 - Thursday, 3/21/24, 10:00-11:00 AM
  • Regional EdTech Cadre Grant Q&A session #2 - Wednesday, 4/4/24, 3:00-4:00 PM

You can also email Brian at brian.baker@ode.oregon.gov with questions.

About Digital Learning

As districts design for in-person and on-line instruction with new schema and context for digital resources, tools, and strategies, it is clear that there is not one singular pathway or simple way forward. The resources on this webpage set forward foundational practices that will apply to districts implementing new online programs, designing for blended learning, and/or leading for reimagination of teaching and learning. The ultimate aim of the resources contained here is to reduce existing inequity and increase learning and belonging. 


With an equity-informed, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive lens, digital learning and educational technology have the power to disrupt systems of oppression and marginalization, to engage and empower students and families, and affirm students’ racial, cultural and linguistic identities. The widespread increase in the use of technology that occurred during the pandemic now provides an opportunity to carry forward the best of what we learned, to leverage it to address inequities in schools across Oregon, and to redefine access. With this focus and mindset, digital learning can help reduce inequities between students. It is equally important to acknowledge that in the absence of this intention, digital learning can also perpetuate and exacerbate existing inequities and make schooling more difficult for those who are already marginalized within the system.

Digital learning refers to “any instructional practice that effectively uses technology to strengthen a student’s learning experience and encompasses a wide spectrum of tools and practices,” as defined in ESSA. This is a comprehensive definition which includes the use of technology and practices across all instructional models, from in-person to fully online learning environments.

Contact ODE's Digital Learning Team at ODE.DigitalLearning@ode.oregon.gov.