Policy - CIDDL

Getting to Know NCADEMI

NCADEMI is a new Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Technical Assistance center focused on improving the quality, accessibility, and timely delivery of digital educational resources and teaching for students with disabilities from preschool to high school. This new center is a partnership between Web Accessibility in Mind (WebAIM) and the Technical Assistance for Excellence in Special Education (TAESE) within the Utah State University’s Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities’ Institute for Disability Research, Policy, and Practice (IDRPP).

ChatGPT generated cartoon image of a classroom

Planning Together: A Playbook for Student Personal Device Policies

The widespread use of Personal Electronic Devices (e.g., smartphones, smart watches, handheld games) and their related social media (e.g., Instagram, X, TikTok) in schools has sparked significant debate due to their dual role as tools for learning and sources of distraction. Several research studies highlight the negative impacts of unregulated personal electronic device use on students’ concentration, mental health, and academic performance. This concern prompts schools to explore policies that balance access with focus. The U.S. Department of Education’s “Planning Together: A Playbook for Student Personal Device Policies” offers a structured, research-informed approach to designing equitable and collaborative policies. Centered on co-design with students, educators, and parents, the Playbook provides a four-step framework to build inclusive teams, set clear goals, understand device usage, and iteratively refine policies based on data.

man in grey shirt using grey laptop computer

Canva vs. Venngage: Choosing the Right Tool for Your Design Needs

Understanding accessibility standards is essential for anyone involved in document creation. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) offer a framework to make web content accessible to individuals with disabilities. These guidelines address various elements, including the need for text alternatives, adaptable layouts, and navigable structures.
Recent interpretations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) have extended its reach to digital content, requiring educational institutions and businesses to ensure their documents are accessible. This shift underscores the necessity of adhering to accessibility standards across all forms of communication, including PDFs and online materials.

cartoon image of someone using a computer with a robot next to them

Summary of UNESCO AI Competency Framework for Teachers

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming education, presenting both opportunities and challenges for teachers. The new UNESCO AI Competency Framework for Teachers addresses the urgent need for educators to develop the skills necessary to integrate AI effectively and ethically into teaching. This framework helps teachers navigate AI’s ethical, technical, and pedagogical dimensions while ensuring that education remains human-centered and inclusive.

CIDDL Vlogs: AI in Higher Education

CIDDL is launching a new video series focusing on how AI can be utilized in higher education. In this series, researchers and faculty share how they leverage AI in higher education classrooms. Learn more about this series, our experts, and their topics in this blog.

A desk with a laptop, notepad, pen, iPhone, and cup of coffee.

Foundations for AI and the Future of Teaching and Learning from the US Department of Educational Technology

The US Department of Educational Technology released its much-awaited report on how AI will impact teaching and learning. The report recognizes that many educators are already using AI-powered tools in their classrooms (like Grammarly and Canva) and that educators and students have been experimenting with AI-powered chatbots (like ChatGPT). The report sets out to provide a starting point to explore how AI can be leveraged to support teachers and students. The authors also recognize that AI is a complex topic and that they cannot answer all questions or resolve all issues within the report.

Advancing Digital Equity Guide

The guide breaks access to technology into three components: availability, affordability, and adoption. Within the guide, barriers to each component are laid out, as well as strategies to help combat them.

Educating Schools and Families on using Technology to Prevent Cyberbullying

Given the immensely critical role technological interactions now play in our daily lives, it is imperative that students, parents and educators understand the impact of cyberbullying and what can be done to prevent it.

A university professor lectures in front of a higher education class.

Preparing for the Fall Semester: Aligning Instruction to Standards

This is post 4 of 9 in the series “Prepare for the Fall Semester” Preparing for the Fall Semester: What Do You Want to Share? Instructional and Assessment Technology to Prepare for Your Fall Semester Preparing Teachers for Standards-Based Lesson…

Technology Use in Higher Education and Teacher Preparation

Technology Use in Higher Education and Teacher Preparation Author: Nicholas Jay Hoekstra Reimagining the Role of Technology in Higher Education is a supplement to the 2016 National Education Technology Plan (NETP). The NETP reflects the United States’ national policy and…

Category: Policy