The Tech Edvocate

Top Menu

  • Advertisement
  • Apps
  • Home Page
  • Home Page Five (No Sidebar)
  • Home Page Four
  • Home Page Three
  • Home Page Two
  • Home Tech2
  • Icons [No Sidebar]
  • Left Sidbear Page
  • Lynch Educational Consulting
  • My Account
  • My Speaking Page
  • Newsletter Sign Up Confirmation
  • Newsletter Unsubscription
  • Our Brands
  • Page Example
  • Privacy Policy
  • Protected Content
  • Register
  • Request a Product Review
  • Shop
  • Shortcodes Examples
  • Signup
  • Start Here
    • Governance
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • The Edvocate
  • The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
  • Topics
  • Write For Us
  • Advertise

Main Menu

  • Start Here
    • Our Brands
    • Governance
      • Lynch Educational Consulting
      • Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
      • Careers
    • Write For Us
    • The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
    • Contact Us
    • Books
    • Edupedia
    • Post a Job
    • The Edvocate Podcast
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
  • Topics
    • Assistive Technology
    • Child Development Tech
    • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech
    • EdTech Futures
    • EdTech News
    • EdTech Policy & Reform
    • EdTech Startups & Businesses
    • Higher Education EdTech
    • Online Learning & eLearning
    • Parent & Family Tech
    • Personalized Learning
    • Product Reviews
  • Advertise
  • Tech Edvocate Awards
  • The Edvocate
  • Pedagogue
  • School Ratings

logo

The Tech Edvocate

  • Start Here
    • Our Brands
    • Governance
      • Lynch Educational Consulting
      • Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
        • My Speaking Page
      • Careers
    • Write For Us
    • The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
    • Contact Us
    • Books
    • Edupedia
    • Post a Job
    • The Edvocate Podcast
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
  • Topics
    • Assistive Technology
    • Child Development Tech
    • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech
    • EdTech Futures
    • EdTech News
    • EdTech Policy & Reform
    • EdTech Startups & Businesses
    • Higher Education EdTech
    • Online Learning & eLearning
    • Parent & Family Tech
    • Personalized Learning
    • Product Reviews
  • Advertise
  • Tech Edvocate Awards
  • The Edvocate
  • Pedagogue
  • School Ratings
  • Combating Reading Issues In Children: Everything You Need to Know

  • Myths About the SAT and ACT

  • How AI Helps Student Outcomes

  • Choosing A Reading Program: Everything You Need to Know

  • Reading Intervention Strategies That Work

  • Calculating Reading Comprehension Scores: Everything You Need to Know

  • How Big Data Is Changing Education Forever

  • Teacher’s Aides Deserve Our Appreciation

  • The Cycle Of Learning To Read: Everything You Need to Know

  • Summer Reading For Your Kids: Everything You Need to Know

Digital Age TeachersDigital LiteracyEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTech
Home›Digital Age Teachers›Everything You Wanted to Know about Digital Curriculum (but Were Afraid to Ask)

Everything You Wanted to Know about Digital Curriculum (but Were Afraid to Ask)

By Matthew Lynch
May 8, 2019
5
Spread the love

Learners today have greater access to digital curriculum than ever before. Edtech innovations in digital curriculum are a practical solution for delivering individualized instruction as efficiently as possible.

As a result, schools rely heavily on edtech for their curriculum needs. Textbooks, supplemental apps, AR/VR experiences, and digital instruction are part of the digital curriculum experience.

Measuring the market size for digital curriculum is like trying to measure the universe. We know about many of the smaller components, but the bigger picture is one that changes constantly. Higher education and PK-12 schools use digital curriculum, and consumers purchase learning apps for use outside of formal learning environments. Estimates suggest that digital curriculum spending in 2014-2015 alone topped $15 billion.

With that much money spent on digital curriculum, it’s critical that we take a close look at what and how our children are learning.

Curriculum

The best curriculum designers work backward. Fenwick English, Wiiggins & McTighe, and others have long advocated for backward design. Curriculum begins with the end goal: what is the final learning outcome? What will the learners be able to do?  The process isn’t too different from planning a vacation. You select a destination before taking off in your car.

Of course, there’s a lot more that goes into developing curriculum, like unpacking standards and creating the formative assessment that direct instruction. Digital curriculum in particular, must consider

Additionally, ask if the curriculum builds on principles of enhancement and transformation. One of the multi-disciplinary models that lends itself well to teaching complex concepts is Substitution/Augmentation/Modification/Redefinition (SAMR). Dr. Ruben Puentedura developed the SAMR concept to incorporates technology as a tool for enabling deep learning experiences not otherwise possible.

Adaptive platforms make learning more personalized

As a rule of thumb, textbooks are boring. Online textbooks can still be boring. The same is true of digital curriculum. Completing a worksheet online isn’t too different than filling it out by hand.  All we’ve done is change the medium.

Useful digital curricula incorporate adaptive platforms. Learners take an assessment, and the curriculum suggest pathways based on student response. Because students come to the classroom with different experiences, levels of education, and varying needs, adaptive leaning can meet student where they are and take them forward.

Using adaptive learning changes the role of the teacher in the classroom. Teachers who work well with digital curriculum are comfortable allowing technology to determine the next steps in moving toward the end goal. They must also know when to intervene.

How much screentime is involved?

Technology isn’t going away; neither is our reliance on it.

Parents and teachers have expressed concern over the amount of screen time children receive, and rightfully so. Pediatricians advocate for reduced reliance on computer screens because of the impact on health and brain development.

Classrooms that balance digital curriculum with a mixture of whole group, small group, and one-to-one interactions are more effective than learning spaces that rely exclusively on digital curriculum for instruction.

Who’s running the show?

The effectiveness of any digital curriculum depends on who will be orchestrating the digital learning experiences. Best practices suggest that digital curriculum programs will be more effective with a program director who can oversee the implementation, monitor timeline milestones, provide  ongoing staff training, and conduct multiple program evaluations.

Gathering qualitative data is just as important as quantitative data when evaluating program effectiveness. Input from students and parents is as important as responses from teachers and administrators.

Going forward

You’ll find some form of digital curriculum in most schools today. Using it wisely is up to the teachers and administrators teaching our children.

We all can take part in identifying the best-designed programs and recommending practices that help all students.

Previous Article

It Is Time for the Edtech Industry ...

Next Article

Why Mission-Driven EdTech Companies Usually Produce the ...

Matthew Lynch

Related articles More from author

  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTechProduct Reviews

    Product Review of Boogie Bot

    April 24, 2022
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Digital Age TeachersProduct ReviewsTeachers

    Product Review of Busy Teacher Printable Materials

    April 29, 2022
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech Futures

    We Need a Netflix of Education

    January 23, 2020
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech

    Using Edtech to Improve K-12 Writing Standards

    July 17, 2018
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech

    7 Must Have Apps, Tools, and Resources That Develop Critical Thinking Skills

    August 6, 2017
    By Matthew Lynch
  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech

    What Happens When Kids Develop Their Own Makerspaces

    April 29, 2018
    By Matthew Lynch

5 comments

  1. 8 Ways To Improve Your Child's Memory Power - The Edvocate 7 May, 2021 at 11:14 Reply

    […] memory skills: (a) give the learner a concrete reward (e.g., privileges, line leading, passing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.), or (b) give the learner an informal reward (e.g., praise, […]

  2. 12 Ways to Help an Easily Confused Child - The Edvocate 17 May, 2021 at 05:19 Reply

    […] paying attention to the source of information (e.g., eye contact is being made, hands are free of learning materials, the learner is looking at the task, […]

  3. 21 Techniques for Supporting Students Who Have Trouble Completing Classroom Tasks - The Edvocate 23 May, 2021 at 13:52 Reply

    […] skills (e.g., begin with a clean desk, read instructions carefully, collect all the appropriate learning materials, ask for assistance if needed, look for the main idea, follow examples given, answer questions you […]

  4. 13 Strategies for Improving Auditory Memory - The Edvocate 25 May, 2021 at 03:44 Reply

    […] paying attention to the source of information (e.g., eye contact is being made, hands are free of learning materials, the learner is looking at the task, […]

  5. 13 Strategies for Improving Auditory Memory - Education Survey 25 May, 2021 at 04:19 Reply

    […] paying attention to the source of information (e.g., eye contact is being made, hands are free of learning materials, the learner is looking at the task, […]

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Search

Login & Registration

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Newsletter

Signup for The Tech Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in EdTech news and opinion delivered to your email address!

  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • Combating Reading Issues In Children: Everything You Need to Know

    By Matthew Lynch
    February 6, 2023
  • Myths About the SAT and ACT

    By Matthew Lynch
    February 6, 2023
  • How AI Helps Student Outcomes

    By Matthew Lynch
    February 5, 2023
  • Choosing A Reading Program: Everything You Need to Know

    By Matthew Lynch
    February 5, 2023
  • Reading Intervention Strategies That Work

    By Matthew Lynch
    February 4, 2023
  • 7 Ways Technology Is Impacting Modern Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    March 4, 2017
  • 20 Top Virtual Reality Apps that are Changing Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    March 11, 2017
  • Why Mobile Technology Enhances Instruction

    By Matthew Lynch
    December 14, 2016
  • 7 Roles for Artificial Intelligence in Education

    By Matthew Lynch
    May 5, 2018
  • Digital Literacy is the Most Important Lifelong Learning Tool

    By Matthew Lynch
    December 30, 2017
  • Where to Find Dyslexia Support for Adults - Case Training Services | Registered Charity #1051587
    on
    August 2, 2022

    11 Must-Have Apps and Tools for Dyslexic Students

    […] recorders Electronic flashcards ...
  • What Types Of Posts Can You Make In Google Classroom? - The Tech Edvocate - Gossip ...
    on
    July 31, 2022

    How to Integrate Google Classroom with the Power of YouTube

    […] of your posts. ...
  • Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Google Classroom - The Tech Edvocate - Gossip Buz
    on
    July 31, 2022

    Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Google Classroom

    […] Answers to Frequently ...
  • 10 Important YouTube Channels For Teachers - Kiiky Wealth
    on
    July 29, 2022

    10 Incredibly Useful YouTube Channels for Teachers

    […] Thetechedvocate.org – 10 Incredibly ...
  • Teaching Learners Digital Content Curation Skills - Fab Lab Connect
    on
    June 30, 2022

    Teaching Learners Digital Content Creation Skills

    […] Read More… […]

EdTech Policy & Reform

  • Curriculum & InstructionEdTech Policy & ReformEducation Leadership

    Why We Should Leave Behind the Cookie-cutter Education

    Spread the loveChange appears to be the only “constant” factor in the educational field. However, what happens when a more significant shift becomes necessary? To provide students with the best ...
  • Adaptive LearningCurriculum & InstructionDigital & Mobile TechnologyDigital Age TeachersEarly Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & ReformInstructional Technology

    Exploring New Ideas: Student-Driven Remote Learning

    Spread the loveRemote learning is taking its toll on our students. They miss the social side of school. Not seeing their classmates or teachers is leading to nervousness, anxiety, and ...
  • Digital & Mobile TechnologyEdTech & InnovationEdTech Policy & Reform

    Implementing Education Technology by Pursuing Technology Education

    Spread the loveTechnology is used for many great things in our world. It’s a powerful tool when used correctly. As such, this powerful tool can be used to transform learning.  ...
  • EdTech Policy & Reform

    How Much Bias Is Okay in Your School?

    Spread the loveThe algorithm has proven itself to be a handy tool when it comes to solving education problems. It’s also not without bias.  You may be wondering how some ...
  • EdTech Policy & ReformFeaturedFresh

    Edtech Should Complement Good Pedagogy, Not Attempt to Replace It

    Spread the loveThe newest generation of edtech is downright amazing; it’s no wonder that various education stakeholders might be a little excited about its potential to transform education. However, edtech ...

EdTech Startups & Businesses

  • EdTech Startups & Businesses

    Trends That Will Help Your EdTech Startup Succeed

    Spread the loveIf you want to thrive in the destiny of learning and self, shorten, tailor, and gamify. The bulk of EdTech businesses believes that digitizing conventional learning methods and ...
  • EdTech Startups & Businesses

    How to Sell Your Edtech Product

    Spread the loveDevelop a profile of the perfect consumer, target clients that meet that description, and plan on a long sales cycle. Selling to schools takes a different sales process ...
  • EdTech Startups & Businesses

    Edtech Companies Can Learn What Not to Do From Delta Airlines

    Spread the loveIt seems that edtech companies still have a lot to learn about their business models and practices. With that being said, there is a lot they can learn ...
  • Digital LeadershipEdTech Startups & BusinessesProduct Reviews

    Product Review of Collegix

    Spread the love This is a comprehensive ERP solution for colleges and universities that provides modular, totally integrated learners services, finance, HR, and advancement. Collegix provides online and offline workarounds ...
  • Early Childhood & K-12 EdTechEdTech Startups & BusinessesProduct Reviews

    Product Review of Discovery Education

    Spread the love Discovery Education is a big player in EdTech. The company has established itself as the leading provider of digital curriculum resources, digital content, and professional development for ...

Digital Equity

  • Digital Equity

    How to Create an Equitable Digital Culture in K–12

    Spread the loveDigital equity is vital in our schools. After all, it can help close the achievement gap. However, there is one prevalent problem concerning digital equity. That is the problem ...
  • Digital & Mobile TechnologyDigital EquityDigital Literacy

    Teaching Learners Digital Content Creation Skills

    Spread the loveContent curation is nothing new and has always been a coveted skill. It has been this way for hundreds of years — think of art galleries, museums, or ...
  • Digital & Mobile TechnologyDigital EquityEdTech & Innovation

    Promoting Online Access With Hotspots, Laptops, and Planning

    Spread the loveWhen becoming a leader in the field of education, it is important to consider equity. Some students may not have access to devices or the internet from their ...
  • Digital EquityDigital Leadership

    How Can You Assess the Tech Needs of Your Students Outside of School?

    Spread the loveToday, I received an email from the middle school principal in Los Angeles. She explained to me that the school that she ran was in one of the ...
  • Digital Equity

    It Is Time for the Edtech Industry to Stop Denying Its Equity and Race Problem

    Spread the loveThe EdTech industry is dominated by white employees, white leaders, and white entrepreneurs. If you doubt this statement, just attend an Edtech conference. Admittedly, educators and others don’t ...

EdTech Futures

  • EdTech Futures

    The IT Investments Securing the Future of Higher Education

    Spread the loveThe future of higher education still seems uncertain after the massive disruptions of the last two years. Universities and colleges are struggling with budget difficulties amid cybersecurity threats. ...
  • Adaptive LearningAssistive TechnologyEdTech FuturesInstructional TechnologyTeachers

    Will AI Replace Teachers?

    Spread the loveThrough the years, robots have taken over many jobs. First, they replaced horses and wagons and horses and plows, then they started to replace people. A few examples ...
  • EdTech FuturesHigher EducationHigher Education EdTechUncategorized

    The Future of Higher Education Must Avoid Returning to the Past

    Spread the loveColleges and universities can make higher education safer, smarter, and more accessible through automation and collaboration technologies – if they commit to it. Author: John Hulen, Director of ...
  • EdTech FuturesOnline Learning & eLearning

    IT Trends To Watch As Higher Education Moves Into a New Decade

    Spread the loveEdtech couldn’t have hoped for a better launch into the new decade than the push the industry received from COVID-19. Even the most tech-resistant institutions and individuals have ...
  • EdTech Futures

    4 Emerging EdTech Trends in 2022

    Spread the loveCovid-19 has not only changed education as we know it, but it has forced education technology (EdTech) to up its game. EdTech has been crucial since the start of this ...

About Us

Since technology is not going anywhere and does more good than harm, adapting is the best course of action. That is where The Tech Edvocate comes in. We plan to cover the PreK-12 and Higher Education EdTech sectors and provide our readers with the latest news and opinion on the subject. From time to time, I will invite other voices to weigh in on important issues in EdTech. We hope to provide a well-rounded, multi-faceted look at the past, present, the future of EdTech in the US and internationally.

We started this journey back in June 2016, and we plan to continue it for many more years to come. I hope that you will join us in this discussion of the past, present and future of EdTech and lend your own insight to the issues that are discussed.

Newsletter

Signup for The Tech Edvocate Newsletter and have the latest in EdTech news and opinion delivered to your email address!

Contact Us

The Tech Edvocate
5322 Markel Road, Suite 104
Richmond, VA 23230
(601) 630-5238
[email protected]

Follow us

Copyright © 2023 Matthew Lynch. All rights reserved.