Join the CIDDL Tech Alliance
Join a national network of schools of education and special education personnel preparation programs working to strengthen faculty capacity in educational technology, assistive technology (AT), and artificial intelligence (AI).
CIDDL is recruiting schools of education and special education personnel preparation programs to participate in an intensive, sustained technical assistance initiative focused on integrating educational technology, assistive technology (AT), and artificial intelligence (AI) into educator and leadership preparation programs. Participating institutions engage in professional learning networks and rapid-cycle improvement processes that include readiness assessments, Technology Integration Plans (TIPs), and applied implementation strategies.
This FREE technical assistance opportunity provides participating institutions with the support needed to strengthen and modernize their preparation programs while contributing to the national conversation on preparing special education personnel to effectively leverage technology for all learners.
Interested in joining the CIDDL Tech Alliance? Complete the interest form below to tell us more about your institution, your goals, and how CIDDL can support your technology integration efforts.
Overview of our First Cohort
CIDDL received a supplement from the Office of Special Education to create a cohort of faculty from Institutes of Higher Education (IHEs) looking to further integrate and leverage technology into their preparation programs. The first cohort of the CIDDL Tech Alliance met to design a Technology Integration Plan (TIP) for their programs through a collaborative and iterative process facilitated by CIDDL staff.
The Tech Alliance members represent universities across the United States: Alabama A&M, Chico State University, Georgia Southern University, Indiana State University, University of Central Missouri, University of Hawaii at Manoa, University of Idaho, University of Maine Orono, University of Southern Mississippi, and Washington Education Association’s Teacher in Residence Program.
The members of the Tech Alliance worked together to identify barriers to technology integration, formulate goals for the coming year, identify strategies to assist in implementing those goals and find solutions to challenges with technology integration within their programs. Tech Alliance members also worked on their Technology Integration Plans, putting them into action and establishing future collaborations with their new cohort.
In 2024, CIDDL presented at the OSEP Project Directors meeting in Washington, DC. The session reviewed a process and framework for reflecting on the use of educational technology in instructional design for both higher education faculty and pre-service educators in their fieldwork experiences. Developed by the CIDDL Tech Alliance, this presentation includes explicit strategies, technology integration plans, and case studies from IHEs nationwide. Download the presentation.
Case Studies
The culmination of this year-long Tech Alliance technical assistance process was the co-development of a Case Study by each university and CIDDL. The Case Studies served as a vehicle for the Tech Alliance Members' reflections on their year of work advancing effective uses of technology in their teacher preparation programs. It also resulted in their identification of future steps toward maintaining momentum toward more effective technology use within their programs.
Georgia Southern University
The team investigated technology implementation in their initial certification program. Faculty primarily used limited tech like Google Docs and PowerPoint. Pre-service students were hesitant to explore beyond field placement classrooms.
University of Hawai’i at Mānoa
The team developed program-level technology integration maps, utilized mentor feedback to inform a statewide technology map, and conducted a gap analysis to identify professional development needs and proposed relevant training topics.
University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi aimed to update their curriculum with technology tools and integrate assistive technology (AT) into their special education program. Through faculty surveys and CIDDL resources, they redesigned their M.Ed. coursework and shared technology tools with faculty and students.
University of Central Missouri
University of Central Missouri (UCM)’s Tech Alliance Team enhanced technology integration in their teacher preparation programs by adopting and modifying the Technology Integration Planning Cycle, developing a task analysis and flowchart, and incorporating these tools into methods courses. They emphasized continuous improvement through surveys and ongoing education for both faculty and students to ensure alignment with current technological practices in school districts.
Indiana State University
Two faculty members at Indiana State University analyzed baseline data to enhance preservice teacher preparation through technology integration, identifying gaps, and developing a syllabi rubric for
continuous improvement.
University of Maine
As a Tech Alliance member, the University of Maine co-developed their case study with CIDDL in the form of an article, which was published in the Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning. The title is: "Integrating Emerging Technologies to Enhance Special Education Teacher Preparation" (JRIT-08-2024-0208.R1).
Washington Education Association
Washington Education Association co-developed their case study with CIDDL in the form of an article, which was published in ERIC. The title is "Unions as Change Agents: Washington Education Association's Pioneering Approach to Special Education Teacher Preparation" (EJ1473053).