In a recent episode of EDU Café Podcast, Elizabeth Foster, Learning Forward’s senior vice president of research and strategy talked with Ji Soo Song of SEDTA and Michael Ham of FullScale to unpack new national research about how educators experience professional learning for ed tech and AI. They dove into the digital design divide highlighted in the 2024 National EdTech Plan and recommendations from the new guide, “Improving Professional Learning Systems to Better Support Today’s Educators: How Title II, Part A Offers a Model for State and Local Leadership,” which was authored by the three participating organizations along with ISTE+ASCD. Listen to Episode 44 on major podcasting apps or at consult4ed.group/edu-cafe.

Foster also participated in a panel discussion about the research and recommendations on a December 2nd webinar hosted by EdWeb. The session, geared to K-12 school leaders, district leaders, education technology leaders, and state education leaders, showed how systems can build professional learning capacity and strategies through coaching models, PLC structures, and other professional learning designs. It emphasized how Title II-A and braided funding can shift professional learning from compliance-driven training to educator-driven growth. By highlighting coaching models, PLC structures, and AI literacy-building opportunities, the panelists show how systems can empower educators to set goals, lead peers, and personalize learning pathways. Viewers explore strategies that build capacity while ensuring professional learning is sustained and aligned to instructional vision.