The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) has released a series of case studies from 28 states highlighting examples of innovative ed-tech programs that are helping to improve K-12 education across the country.

The programs described in these case studies were funded through the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program (Title II, Part D of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act) as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which made available $650 million for the EETT program. EETT had supported educational technology for a decade before being eliminated in the FY2011 federal budget.

While each case study is unique, some common themes have emerged among them, STEDA says:

• Scaling up successful programs: EETT funds have enabled states and districts to scale up innovative, research-based ed-tech programs, including the “enhancing Missouri’s Instructional Networked Teaching Strategies” (eMINTS) program, the Texas Immersion Pilot (TIP), and others.

• Innovation for learning: Many grantees supported the development of project-based learning curricula and the development of digital and open educational resources.

• Supporting educator effectiveness: States and districts provided high-quality professional development through coaching/mentoring, communities of practice, and train-the-trainer models for teachers who were implementing significant changes to their instruction using technology.

Results from these programs suggest they have helped raise achievement, increase technology literacy, boost engagement, and connect students to a wider array of learning resources, SETDA says.

http://www.setda.org/web/guest/casestudies2012