Digital Age Best Practices Framework
Best Practice Teaching Framework
The Digital Age Best Practices are a set of research-based instructional principles that have shown a statistically-significant effect on student achievement. These practices promote college and career readiness and prepare students for success in the digital age.
Best Practices & H.E.A.T.
The Digital Age Best Practices, when employed by educators in the classroom, are evidenced as student H.E.A.T. during informal classroom observations or formal evaluations. H.E.A.T. stands for Higher order thinking, Engaged learning, Authentic connections, and Technology use.
Higher Order Thinking
Student Cognition
Bolstering purposeful inquiry through student questions
Student-generated questions drive the inquiry; evidence of teacher-generated focus activities; presence of complex thinking processes; presence of a student-centered learning environmentAccelerating individual growth through vertical differentiation
Adjustments to content/process/product based on learner readiness are documented; presence of learning centers/stations; digital and/or environmental resources adjusted to the needs of the learner; multiple LoTi® levels simultaneously employed in the classroom
Engaged Learning
Student Engagement
Promoting shared expertise through networked collaboration
Students able to articulate a common group goal; evidence of student problem solving and/or issues resolution; individual and group accountability structures in place; employment of digital and/or environmental resources to promote collaborationImplementing student-centered learning environments
Students’ talk exceeds teacher talk; emphasis on individual or small group learning; teacher/students negotiate learning opportunities; use of varied instructional materials/strategies
Authentic Connections
Real-World Student Connections
Personalizing and globalizing content by making authentic connections
Learning connected to one or more 21st Century Themes; outcomes require sustained investigation; emphasis on multiple interpretations and outcomes; learning possesses an interdisciplinary perspectiveAccelerating individual growth through horizontal differentiation
Adjustments to content/process/product based on learner profile and interests are documented; presence of learning centers/stations; digital and/or environmental resources adjusted to the needs of the learner; multiple LoTi levels simultaneously employed in the classroom
Technology Use
Efficient Use of Resources
Anchoring student learning with digital-age tools and resources
Emphasis on content and process skills—not on digital tools; digital and/or environmental resources used at a LoTi 3 or higher; digital resources used in conjunction with clear, measurable achievement goals; use of digital and/or environmental resources is purposeful and intentionalClarifying student understanding with formative assessments
Follow-up interventions are timely, targeted, and based on student data; adequate time given for student responses; framed questions apply directly to content understanding; digital and/or environmental resources used for student feedback
