In this episode, Dr. Adam Phyall joins us to highlight Digital Learning Day. He is the Director of Professional Learning and Leadership at All4Ed, the parent organization sponsoring Digital Learning Day. Dr. Phyall says, “Digital Learning Day is really focusing in on how teachers [and] how schools are leveraging and using technology to not only connect students to each other but to connect them to their future opportunities.”
Together, we explore more about what Digital Learning Day is, how teachers can learn even more about it, and some practical ways that educators can celebrate the event. It’s an opportunity to highlight the great work being done in classrooms and schools. As our guest says, “We want to celebrate you. That’s really what it’s all about. Digital Learning Day is celebrating the work that you’re doing out there, in the schools, boots on the ground, in the classrooms, technology directors, library media specialists, superintendents, everybody.”
With technology now at our fingertips, personalized digital learning isn’t just a tool; it’s a lifeline.
All4Ed, from their Digital Learning Day webpage
Resources
The following resources are available from AVID and on AVID Open Access to explore related topics in more depth:
- Supporting CSEdWeek, with Kiki Prottsman (podcast episode)
- The Future Ready Librarian, with Shannon McClintock Miller (podcast episode)
- Personal and Authentic Learning, with Thomas C. Murray (podcast episode)
- Discover Resources to Support Digital Inclusion, with Caitlin Ameral (podcast episode)
- AI in the K–12 Classroom (article collection)
Celebrate by Telling Your Story
While there are many ways to celebrate Digital Learning Day, one of the best things you can do is to tell your story. Celebrate the great things happening in your classrooms by telling others. Our guest, Dr. Adam Phyall, says, “Digital Learning Day is a time to really celebrate those successes and to celebrate and to showcase all the amazing things that our students are doing with technology.”
Dr. Phyall suggests that we focus on the “connections students are making, the activities that they’re able to participate in, creating experiences that they normally won’t have in their spaces. Those are those things that we really want to celebrate with Digital Learning Day and showcase what teachers are doing. It’s really that victory lap.” The following are a few highlights from our conversation:
- About Our Guest: Dr. Adam Phyall is the Director of Professional Learning and Leadership at All4Ed. He jokingly refers to himself as a “recovering technology director and director of media services.”
- An Evolutionary Time: Dr. Phyall points out, “We live in a time and place where we did things before technology, but now, I can’t even remember doing it before technology.” We discuss how many daily transactions occur with the use of technology. Even simple tasks, like making an appointment, finding a movie showtime, or making a phone call, require modern technology. He adds, “Literally, technology is tied to how we seek medical care now.”
- Digital Learning Day: The 13th annual Digital Learning Day, sponsored by All4Ed, will take place on Thursday, February 15, 2024. Dr. Phyall says, “Digital Learning Day is really focusing in on how teachers [and] how schools are leveraging and using technology to not only connect students to each other but to connect them to their future opportunities.”
- Success Criteria: “Technology should not be tied to test scores,” Dr. Phyall asserts. Instead, he believes that we should focus on the “connections students are making, the activities that they’re able to participate in, creating experiences that they normally won’t have in their spaces.”
- A Justification: Technology can be expensive, and Digital Learning Day is an opportunity to highlight the benefits of that investment. Dr. Phyall says that we need to share our successes, “so people can see this is money well spent and money we need to continue to spend to really amplify our student voices moving forward.”
- To Learn More: If you’re looking for more information about Digital Learning Day, go to the official website at DLDay.org. You can also post your success stories on social media using the hashtags #DLDay and #FutureReady.
- All4Ed: A national nonprofit working to ensure opportunities for all students from “classroom to Congress,” All4Ed works across the political spectrum to pass policies that support equitable technology access. Then, they work to “ensure that the practices match what the policies should be for teachers in the classroom.” As the sponsors of Digital Learning Day, they “really wanted to show the amazing work of our educators, the amazing work of our students, and to really celebrate the work at the federal level that’s also happening with the connectivity.” Dr. Phyall sums up their priorities, saying that they are driven to “ensuring that all students have that equitable access, and policies and practices are in place to ensure that they can be the best versions of themselves.”
- Future Ready: The Future Ready arm of All4Ed comes into play once policies are in place. At that point, Future Ready promotes best practices for enacting those policies. Dr. Phyall says, “We really focus around ensuring that students and teachers know the right practices around utilizing technology.”
- Future Ready Framework: This framework is a structure for visioning, planning, and implementation of digital learning that outlines the roles and processes that schools should consider when developing their future ready plan. The framework includes eight gears, or key topic areas, ranging from Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, to Budget and Resources, to Data and Privacy. The framework covers a full range of educational technology topics that a school must consider.
- Future Ready Assessment: The site also offers a free self-assessment that districts can take. Dr. Phyall says, “It basically lets you know where your areas of opportunity are in your district.” He explains, “Out of those eight gears, you get various scores based on your assessment.” However, he adds, “When you take the assessment, you gotta be honest. You know, garbage in, garbage out. That’s the time to tell the truth.”
- A Toolkit Item: Dr. Phyall advises discretion when implementing new technology and not to just go for the new, shiny tool. He sums this mindset up with a catchy saying: “If you don’t know why, don’t buy.”
- Shine a Light: Dr. Phyall wraps up our conversation, saying, “This is that time to really tell that story, to let folks know all the amazing things that are happening, not only in your discipline but in education period—and giving those students a time to shine. It’s really about shining a light on the students and the amazing things they can create with technology.”
Guiding Questions
If you are listening to the podcast with your instructional team or would like to explore this topic more deeply, here are guiding questions to prompt your reflection:
- What is Digital Learning Day?
- How can you celebrate Digital Learning Day in your school?
- What can students do today with technology that they’ve never been able to do before?
- What great things are your students doing with technology?
- What is one action step that you can take to celebrate Digital Learning Day this year?
Extend Your Learning
- Digital Learning Day 2024 (All4Ed)
- Future Ready Schools (All4Ed)
- The Achievery (AT&T)