TWU pledges to prepare future educators for digital learning environments

July 12, 2022 — DENTON — The College of Professional Education at Texas Woman's University signed the Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) for Digital Equity and Transformation Pledge, committing to prepare educators to use technology for learning in face-to-face, hybrid, and online classrooms. 

The EPPs for Digital Equity and Transformation Pledge is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Education and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). The ISTE created standards recognized by all 50 states and U.S. territories as a framework for effective teaching and learning with technology. 

“TWU’s Educator Preparation Program already shines in digital literacy instruction, going well beyond the minimum state requirements and ISTE standards,” said COPE Associate Dean Gina Anderson. “So, we are excited to partner with the USDE and ISTE to learn more about expanding and scaling transformative digital literacy instruction to best meet the needs of all K-12 students in Texas.”

Texas Woman’s University’s signing was the first by an EPP in Texas. By signing the pledge, TWU’s EPP joins more than 40 programs, including those based at Arizona State, Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland, University of Southern California, University of Wyoming and others. 

“Knowing how to use technology to support student learning is an essential skill for any teacher to thrive in a post-COVID world,” ISTE CEO Richard Culatta added. “I’m thrilled that TWU is committed to embedding tech skills into their program so teacher candidates will be prepared to hit the ground running.”

The pledge asks EPPs to commit to five goals:

• Prepare teachers to thrive in digital learning environments
• Get teachers ready to use technology to pursue ongoing professional learning
• Prepare teachers to apply frameworks to accelerate transformative digital learning
• Equip all faculty to continuously improve expertise in technology for learning
• Collaborate with school leaders to identify shared digital teaching competencies

TWU initial teacher and advanced certification candidates can already practice with student avatars in a TeachLivE™ Lab or through innovative spaces in the TWU Future Classroom Lab, designed by the European Schoolnet — the only one in the United States. These resources and others paired with digital instruction coursework help TWU’s candidates develop effective teaching tools to enhance instruction.

Page last updated 12:42 PM, July 12, 2022