Published: 12/07/2023
7615105453.jpg)
By signing the pledge, Gannon joins 95 institutions committed to preparing teachers to thrive in digital learning environments.
Gannon University has signed the EPPs for Digital Equity and Transformation Pledge, committing to prepare educators with the skills to successfully use technology for learning in face-to-face, hybrid and online classrooms through the School of Education.
“We’re excited to be part of the movement toward digital equity in education,” said Leighann Forbes, Ed.D., associate professor and associate dean for Gannon’s College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences. “Educators and their students encounter many stumbling blocks in their academic careers. Our renewed focus on digital learning environments and professional development is one way we can help build capacity in the teacher workforce and support student success.”
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).
“Knowing how to use technology to support student learning is an essential skill for any teacher to thrive in a post-COVID world,” said Richard Culatta, CEO of ISTE. “I’m thrilled that Gannon University is committed to embedding tech skills into their program so all Gannon teacher candidates will be prepared to hit the ground running!”
By signing the pledge, Gannon joins 95 institutions committed to preparing teachers to thrive in digital learning environments; preparing teachers to use technology to pursue ongoing professional learning; preparing teachers to apply frameworks to accelerate transformative digital learning; equipping all faculty to continuously improve expertise in technology for learning; and collaborating with school leaders to identify shared digital teaching competencies.
This pledge is a dual-purpose commitment; Forbes, as a part of Gannon’s Community of Practice which represents Gannon as one of about 15 institutions in Pennsylvania, spent the last year researching, sharing information, and learning more about the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s new Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Education (CR-SE) guidelines. As a result, they’ve created a toolkit with ways the competencies can be incorporated into academic curriculum to assist teacher preparation programs with implementation.
Gannon’s education programs include bachelor’s degrees in early childhood education PreK-4, middle level education 4-8, secondary education 7-12 and special education. Graduate programs include a curriculum and instruction degree, and reading and reading specialist, as well as additional certificate options. Earlier this year, Gannon’s teacher preparation program earned recognition from the National Council on Teacher Quality, among just 23% nationwide and one of three in Pennsylvania to earn the notable “A” grade.