Learning Resources

Ohio State U Launches K-12 Digital Content Partnership Program

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 02/17/16

Ohio State University (OSU) College of Education and Human Ecology's SpotOn, a free database evaluating K-12 digital content, has launched a new partnership in an effort to improve digital curricula.

Modeled on a pilot program that offered content selection support and professional learning opportunities, the SpotOn Digital Content Partnership Program will provide up to $50,000 in matching funds for similar services to select districts.

"Districts participating in the program will have the opportunity to work with the SpotOn team to select digital content for review and will take part in professional learning opportunities focused on using the SpotOn rubric to evaluate digital instructional resources," according to a news release. "District participants will be selected through a SpotOn' competitive screening and application process. Participating educators will build capacity and knowledge in the selection and review of digital resources, supporting their path toward technology leadership. District administrators interested in participating can find complete information and an application at SpotOnReviews.org/matching."

SpotOn previously worked with five Ohio school districts, training teachers to become digital review specialists.

"Having the SpotOn database of digital curriculum reviews just trims down the amount of time we have to spend searching," said John Kellogg, superintendent of pilot participant Westerville City Schools, in a prepared statement. "We can go to SpotOn instantly and start to say, 'Is this going to fit our local needs?'"

"The five pilot districts we worked with in Ohio appreciated that we were able to review the content they wanted, while training their educators for the future," said Dwayne Sattler, SpotOn's managing director, in a news release. "The Digital Content Partnership Program will allow us to expand this program nationally and provide a great service to participating districts."

More information about the partnership program is available at spotonreviews.org.